The European club football season recently concluded with Paris Saint-Germain`s victory in the UEFA Champions League final. However, the summer still promises an abundance of exciting soccer action. Here`s a look at what`s scheduled and the latest on the USWNT.
The Forward Line: USWNT Youngsters Developing
The U.S. Women`s National Team started their international window strongly with a 3-0 win against China. This match highlighted the progress Emma Hayes` young squad is making as they continue to experiment and develop. The team demonstrated improved tactical understanding, easily breaking down China`s defense. Standout players like Catarina Macario, who contributed a goal and an assist, showed their potential.
Hayes noted the reduction in necessary tactical corrections, indicating players like Avery Patterson, Lily Yohannes, and Michelle Cooper are better grasping their roles, which elevates the team`s overall level. With key attackers Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Wilson unavailable (often referred to as the `triple espresso`), Hayes is assessing other options up front, including youngsters like Ally Sentnor and Emma Sears.
Hayes: `When you`re trying to put together so many new players as a coach, you want to make sure that every time you`re with them, you`re making less and less tactical corrections and this week, we`ve made less than we`ve ever had to make because Avery Patterson knows where to be [on] both sides of the ball, so does Lily [Yohannes], so does Michelle Cooper and so that, in return, means the whole group can go up a higher level because they`re getting better at their understanding of that. That`s the first thing.`
While pleased with the tactical improvements, Hayes sees room for growth, particularly in dynamic rotations and finding the right spaces. She urged players to balance exploiting defensive weaknesses with patience. This development phase is part of the long-term preparation for the 2027 Women`s World Cup.
Hayes: `We wanted to be a bit more dynamic in our rotations so the timing of our rotations to pull their wide players out. I thought in the first half, we did that really, really well. What we didn`t do as well as we wanted to was [that] we tried to find the spaces in between when actually, the space was in behind so sometimes we overplayed. They want to give us some areas, we take them areas but I`m asking them to deliver a performance with a level of patience so I`m not going to criticize them for that. I feel like, tactically, we`ve gone up another level. I really feel that way. I feel that there`s so many more players that are so much more in control, that were able to do more and I was pleased with the performance.`
Midfield Link Play: Summer Soccer Outlook
Although the club season is ending for many, the next two months are packed with significant football events. A unique summer of high-stakes soccer awaits.
World Cup Qualification Resumes
The countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues with qualifying matches resuming. Several nations aim to secure their spot in the expanded 48-team tournament. While some confederations are well into their campaigns, European qualifying is just beginning, featuring powerhouses like Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. Italy, having missed the last two World Cups despite winning the Euros in 2021, will be under particular scrutiny.
New-Look Club World Cup Gets Underway
The new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup is nearing kickoff in the U.S. The tournament features major clubs like Champions League winners PSG, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Inter Miami, plus MLS side LAFC. It remains to be seen how seriously different clubs will approach this competition, especially for European teams finishing a long season. Speculation includes Al-Hilal potentially pursuing Cristiano Ronaldo. The timing poses a challenge for clubs whose season could extend well into July.
Women`s Euro Returns in July
Switzerland will host the Women`s Euro tournament in July, featuring 16 teams. England is the defending champion from 2022, but Spain, the reigning World Cup champions, arrive as strong favorites after their rapid ascent since exiting the 2022 Euros in the quarterfinals. England faces challenges, notably the international retirement of goalkeeper Mary Earps, though Hannah Hampton is expected to step into the starting role.
