Rodriguez Shines in Debut with USWNT: Hayes Continues to Revamp the Team

Emma Hayes Continues Forging a New Path for the USWNT

The coach of the United States Women’s National Team, Emma Hayes, continues to demonstrate her commitment to the team’s renewal. In the recent 4-0 victory over Ireland at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hayes granted two new international debuts. With this, the total number of players who have debuted under her direction rises to 24 in her 24 games in charge of the team. The most recent players to wear the USWNT jersey for the first time were defender Izzy Rodriguez and midfielder Sam Meza. Rodriguez also had the honor of scoring a goal in her debut.

It’s surreal. This team has been everything, and they’ve given me a great welcome. I felt like crying. I was very excited on the field, so I’m very happy to have enjoyed it with all of them.

Izzy Rodriguez

In the match, Lynn Biyendolo, Yazmeen Ryan, and Alyssa Thompson also contributed goals. Biyendolo opened the scoring with a great goal in the 11th minute, followed by Ryan’s goal in the 66th minute and Thompson’s in the 87th minute. Hayes officially took over the USWNT just over a year ago and, in August, won the Olympic gold medal in her tenth match in charge of the team. Since then, she has promised to expand the group of players ahead of the 2027 World Cup. On Sunday, Hayes made changes to the starting eleven, something that has only happened seven times in the history of the USWNT, and for the second time this year, completely changing the lineup from one match to another.

Ten players in the starting lineup had 10 or fewer international matches. The exception was Biyendolo, who captained the team for the first time that day. According to information, Meza and Rodriguez became the 13th and 14th players of Hispanic descent to play for the USWNT. Rodriguez is a standout full-back for Kansas City Current, leaders of the NWSL. Meza plays for Seattle Reign FC. Rodriguez played the entire match, while Meza played 87 minutes before being substituted by Rose Lavelle. Sunday’s victory was the 600th in the history of the national team, which celebrates 40 years of existence. The USWNT will face Canada on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., to close out the international break. Hayes has announced that she will reduce the core of her squad in the next international break in October.