The 2024 Olympics kick off at the end of the month, and the United States Women’s National Team are back in search of yet another medal. They have received medals in 6 of the 7 Olympics that have featured women’s football as a sport, and in 2024 the team heads to France – where they won the 2019 Women’s World Cup – to hopefully win their fifth gold medal. As the Olympic roster was released last week, we are initiating a series of profiles, focusing on each position, the alternates, and the coaching staff. We will detail how they round out the USWNT as they get ready to take on the world. We continue this focus with the defenders.
The USWNT bring six defenders to France:
Defenders (6):
- Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC)
- Emily Fox (Arsenal FC)
- Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave)
- Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit)
- Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham FC)
- Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC)
The biggest ally any team can have in the Olympics is versatility. With only 18 players that are eligible to get on the field, it helps to have players that can be serviceable at multiple positions. The USWNT have that in their defenders, with head coach Emma Hayes having the ability to utilize them in several ways.
Tierna Davidson and Naomi Girma are the two players that look to be the starting center backs for the USWNT. Naomi Girma can make a case for being the best player on the roster, as her leadership and demonstrated ability goes well beyond her years. Davidson is a great complement for Girma, and can play outside back if needed throughout the tournament.
Emily Fox is likely the starting right back, but has also played some spot duty at left back and can push forward on the flank. Casey Krueger has the experience at right back and can also be a confident starter at that position. She mainly holds down the right side, but if you needed her on the left she could be serviceable. Jenna Nighswonger is likely the starting left back and has come along quickly into being a very good left back. Her backup could be Crystal Dunn, who is listed as a forward but for several years was the best left back in the world.
Emily Sonnett can start at centerback, she could be utilized at either fullback position, or she could be a defensive midfielder. Fans saw Sonnett take more defensive responsibilities last year during the Women’s World Cup, and now that she’s listed as a defender, it seems like head coach Emma Hayes will opt to use her on the back line as cover, or sometimes to start.
The USWNT defenders feels like a solid group, but the key to the team’s success will be on them limiting their mistakes. They are playing some teams that have some confident strikers, and they can’t have any severe lapses or open gaps in the defensive coverage. If they can limit those mistakes and clean up any loose balls in the box, it will surely be looked at as a major reason why the United States is able to lay claim to a medal at these Olympic Games.
