17 minutes. That’s how much Alyssa Thompson got to play in the 2023 FIFA World Cup. On top of that, a disastrous result from the American ladies under Vlatko Andonovski’s side saw the 19-year-old get snubbed from Emma Hayes’ 2024 Paris Olympics roster. Fast forward to today, talk about the redemption arc as Thompson not only scored her first goal for the USWNT, but the youngster got a special pat on the back from Hayes.

Oh, how the tables have turned. Surely, we remember many calling out why the Angel City FC forward, who has never failed to showcase her remarkable talent on the pitch, wasn’t called up by the former Chelsea boss for the Summer Games campaign. Now successfully bouncing back from adversities, Thompson managed to get in the eyes of Hayes as the 47-year-old manager has, in fact, positive feedback for the young winger.

As per journalist Claire Watkins on X, before the opening clash against Iceland, Hayes acknowledged Thompson’s quality and further doubled down the praise saying, “Spoke with her when she [came] into camp as a training player, & she understood what she needed to do. I’ve really appreciated her living up to her own expectations for herself & demonstrating the behaviors & the performances that she wanted to see from herself.”

Either way, this is indeed a heartwarming and significant praise for the youngster. In fact, Thompson might have understood things quite perfectly as she surely didn’t take time to announce her return to the US Women’s National Team. Against Iceland, the Angel City star opened the account for the Stars and Stripes ft. ladies during the 39th minute. That’s not all; her goal was no less than a banger, as she managed to light up the whole Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Indeed, it must have felt good to score a goal for her nation and celebrate it with fans and her teammates alike. Even though if she exceeded the expectations that Hayes had with her, what kind of change did Thompson bring within herself?

Here’s how Alyssa Thompson was able to achieve her redemption arc after shining for the USWNT!

“The biggest adjustment that I had to make was learning who I was as a soccer player again,” revealed the Los Angeles, California native to reporters last week as per Equalizer Soccer. Ever since making her USWNT debut in October 2022, one month before her 18th birthday, Thompson set several objectives for herself, which she has undoubtedly managed to achieve.

On top of that, a USWNT debut was topped off by being selected as the No. 1 overall pick by Angel City in the 2023 NWSL Draft just three months later. Now, it’s all about maintaining her progression chart. “This season, I’ve been really honing in on things that I need to work on that will make my game even better and get me into positions where I want to be, like making this roster,” she added.

Be that as it may, it’s safe to say that Alyssa Thompson is back, better and bigger than ever.