“It just feels like there’s more grace,” Tobin Heath once remarked, highlighting the significant advantage Europe holds over America’s domestic league in terms of fixtures and schedules. While opinions may differ, Heath might have been right all along, as Emma Hayes is the latest to join this conversation. The USWNT manager has openly acknowledged that ‘player welfare is critical’ in the NWSL.

To make you understand the gravity of the situation, the American ladies have reunited for their October clash, a doubleheader against Iceland on October 24 at Texas-based Q2 Stadium and October 27 at Tennessee-based Geodis Park, before concluding their window against Argentina on October 30 at Kentucky’s Lynn Family Stadium.

Sadly, the Wednesday clash against the La Albiceleste ladies comes just two days before two critical NWSL matches on Friday, November 1. Utah Royals will take on NJ/NY Gotham FC, while the Portland Thorns face Angel City—both games involving nine players from Emma Hayes’ 26-player roster. The irony peaked when Hayes was asked during Wednesday’s press conference whether the Europe-based players would face concerns regarding player rotation due to their travel commitments.

As usual, the former Chelsea boss had an answer ready, saying, “I think the bigger issue is the NWSL have games on the Friday. In Europe, they don’t play until Sunday. So the bigger challenge are the four teams that are playing NWSL games on the Friday which, as we know, is far from ideal. These are conversations I’ve had with NWSL and player welfare is critical.”

Even though it’s a bit frustrating for Hayes, she admits such won’t be happening in future instances. “We all of course know what the FIFA windows are. So hopefully in the future, we will work towards not having scheduled games on a Friday after a Wednesday international game. But like I said, we’re working hard with NWSL in our communication to plan for the future,” added the 47-year-old.

Admitting that the three friendlies will be a “tight turnaround” alongside a “very congested NWSL schedule,” Hayes acknowledged that she will still seize the opportunity to evaluate players. The former WSL boss reassured the respective NWSL clubs that no player would be overworked, unless an injury situation arises, which might force her to reconsider her approach.

“In an ideal world, no one will play more than two full games unless there’s an injury situation or I have to think differently,” she said, before quickly announcing good news for the six uncapped players on the current USWNT roster—Eva Gaetino, Alyssa Malonson, Emily Sams, Hal Hershfelt, Yazmeen Ryan, and Emma Sears—saying, “But I’ve assured the NWSL clubs that we’ll work towards that. So, there will be debuts over this block.”

So if the endgame now actually relies on the new faces, then why didn’t Hayes decide to retain most of the Olympics roster?

The reason why Emma Hayes’ October window’s roster selection was ‘limited’

Claire Watkins of Just Women Sports recently shared on X the reason behind Emma Hayes retaining a similar roster. She explained that Hayes pointed out the contractual limitations for new call-ups, as this international window is technically part of the Olympic victory tour, meaning the same group (barring injury) was automatically called up. Hayes emphasized, however, that the pool will expand significantly during January’s futures camp.

Not to forget that under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), all players who participated in the Summer Games in France must be recalled for the victory tour matches. Hence, only 18 of the 22 players who brought home gold are available for selection as four were injured. This explains the six new faces. Regardless, it remains to be seen how she tackles the fixture congestion for her NWSL stars.