After a Year Gap, Emma Hayes Confirms Reviving USWNT’s Decade-Long Tradition To Empower Our Future Generation

With each passing day, it appears that Emma Hayes simply can’t seem to make a misstep. Since taking over as the head coach of the USWNT and leading them to Olympic glory, she has seemingly revitalized the team, bringing it back to its former heights. Along with this revival, she has reintroduced several cherished traditions, one of which is the Futures Camp.

The Futures Camp, also known as January Camp, has been a staple for the USWNT since 2013. These sessions allow current players alongside newer and younger talents to be assessed by the manager in preparation for shaping the team’s roster for the upcoming year. Past coaches such as Vlatko Andonovski and Jill Ellis have conducted these camps under their leadership.

However, this year marked a departure from tradition as there was no January Camp held for the first time in ten years. This absence may have stemmed from not having a permanent head coach at that moment; instead, Twila Kilgore served as interim coach. Fortunately, under Emma Hayes’ leadership now, those engaging January camps are making a comeback.

Recently during an Amazon NWSL broadcast, the 47-year-old announced that a ‘Future camp’ will occur in January aimed at evaluating both NWSL players and U-23 talents along with other emerging stars within USWNT. For Emma Hayes, this presents a significant opportunity to assess all available talent in one setting.

It is aiding her in planning future rosters for both the SheBelieves Cup and, most importantly, the Women’s World Cup 2027—her foremost challenge. With that perspective, it’s timely to consider which rising stars of the USWNT might truly impress the ex-Chelsea boss at this forthcoming camp in January.

Which young USWNT  stars can Emma Hayes call up?

The USWNT youth program is certainly brimming with talent, and several players are beginning to stand out. One notable name is Lily Yohannes, a promising midfielder who has already debuted for the national team and continues to impress while playing for Ajax. Claire Hutton is another midfielder gaining attention. She had an outstanding rookie season with Kansas City FC and contributed significantly to the U-20 USYWNT’s third-place finish at the Youth World Cup.

In terms of forwards, Ally Sentnor and Jordynn Dudley both made significant impacts during the Youth World Cup, potentially making them valuable additions to the USWNT. Although replacing the beloved trio known as ‘Triple Espresso’—Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith—is no small feat, these young talents may prove themselves worthy.

Additionally, 20-year-old goalkeeper Teagan Wy showcased her skills at the U-20 World Cup. The defense also boasts strong candidates like Savy King and Gisele Thompson. With much talent available, it will be interesting to see which direction Emma Hayes decides to take moving forward.