Squad selection of the USWNT drew criticisms from pundits and soccer players. Before the Paris Olympics, Emma Hayes axed USWNT icon Alex Morgan in favor of a younger squad to lead the way. Her decisions paid dividends as they won the Olympic gold medal. However, some players and head coaches believe Hayes’ selection could be much better. Out of the talent pool in the NWSL, the head coach of Angel City FC believes a player amongst her ranks deserves a selection.

Becki Tweed aims to take Angel City FC to the top, but the team lingers in the 9th position. They have lost their last three games, which puts them in a muddy spot. Yet Tweed believes her center back, Sarah Gorden, deserves a place in the USWNT squad.

The 31-year-old center-back appears for Tweed’s club, remaining a rock at the back. So, the head coach was left dumbfounded after the selection of the squad in recent years. In a tweet by Kamran Nia on X, Tweed stated, “The fact that she hasn’t played on the national team is something that I can’t quite wrap my head around.”

Well, does she have a case? Because Emma Hayes selects her team on merit, not through any recommendations. Right now, her center-back pairing of Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson remains the first-choice pairing. It doesn’t look like they will get replaced after the Olympic success. But does Sarah Gorden deserve a chance to play for the USWNT?

Sarah Gorden’s place in the USWNT narrows down to Emma Hayes’ choices!

The USWNT squad looks set under Emma Hayes. Looking to establish their dominance again, Hayes wants players who can perform at the highest level. Players, who could actually make a difference on the defensive side of the game. A structured approach works well for her tactical system and Gorden might fit the bill.

In her two seasons for Angel City FC, Gorden won 29 tackles with 10 coming in the Mid 3rd. Likewise, she managed 35 blocks and 34 interceptions, showcasing her astute game-reading abilities. As a covering defender, she managed 139 clearances; quite a decent return.

Yet, the center-back pairing of Girma and Davidson remains strong.

Girma, the defender who keeps everything at bay for the USWNT, amassed 239 clearances in three seasons. That stat alone showcases why she remains high on Emma Hayes’ priority list. Having a pacy defender to chase down the opposition attackers works well for any team. Therefore, getting into the USWNT looks incredibly hard right now.

She has constructed a side for ages and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup remains key. After bowing out of the World Cup early last year, this team looks motivated to end all doubts about them. Winning the Olympic gold medal was the first step to success. Sarah Gorden must consistently demonstrate exceptional performance in order to secure a spot on the team. Well, that’s what Emma Hayes wants!