Throughout the Paris Olympics, Emma Hayes has stuck with nearly the same playing XI, all the way to the final. In fact, her rigid approach of not using substitutes was called into question during USWNT‘s extra-time win over Japan. She has defended her tactics, saying she wants to build chemistry between her players, so fans were left baffled when she decided to leave Rose Lavelle on the bench during the gold medal match against Brazil.

Right before the big game, USWNT dropped their lineup with Lavelle being replaced by Korbin Albert. While many initially thought an injury might have relegated the midfielder out of the field, she’s actually available as a sub. Given that Hayes has rarely changed key personnel before games, this decision does raise some questions. The foremost being, what is the reason behind this change?

Lavelle had started every game right up to the final, forming a key part of the consistent playing XI, used by Hayes through the tournament. However, a closer look might give us insight into Hayes’ decision.

Out of the five games Lavelle played she failed to score or assist in any of them. Moreover, in the five games Lavelle did start she only finished two of them and was substituted in the three games, albeit one of those incidents was during the quarterfinal tie against Japan, when Lavelle was hooked in the extra time. Notably, Albert has come on twice for Lavelle in games against Zambia and Australia.

Midfielder Albert also scored the second goal against Australia, which proved to be the winner, having come on for Lavelle in the 65th minute. Is this something playing on Emma Hayes’ mind? A look into USWNT’s performances in the Olympics could also give an insight.

During the group stages, they did brush aside Zambia (3-0) and Germany (4-1). But in the knockout games, it has been a tighter affair. They needed extra time to win by a single goal against Japan and followed the same pattern against Germany. They have been seeking wins out due to their midfield rigidity and Albert adds to that. She started the game against Japan and was one of the better performers on the pitch.

Against Brazil in the final, Albert’s presence in the midfield and her flexibility in playing behind the forward might offer the edge Hayes is looking for but the decision is still up for debate among the USWNT fans.

Lavelle is the only change from the starting line from the previous game

When Hayes was questioned over her reluctance to use substitutes early against Japan, with 10 of the 11 players having also played a hard-fought group game against Australia, she was defiant. She said, “I’ve been coaching football matches a long time,” before adding why she chooses not to tinker much with her team.

“Minimal changes gives you the better chance to build the creativity, so I will not change anything I’m doing.” It appears Lavelle is at the receiving end of that minimal change ahead of the final.

An interesting observation is that Lavelle is the only change from the playing XI from the 1-0 semi-final win over Germany. Despite her not scoring or assisting in the tournament yet, the Gotham FC star carries a threat on the wing. In 12 matches for Gotham FC, she has netted 5 times proving her prowess in front of the goal. Given USWNT’s scarcity of goals in the knockout games, is this a wise decision? A fan certainly doesn’t think so.

Another one pointed out that not having Lavelle in means missing out on the chance to score from free-kicks. Throughout the Prais Olympics, she’s been their go-to person for freekicks, though it has yet to yield a result. Brazil have conceded six goals at the Olympics, which means they may not be defensively as solid as some of USWNT’s other opponents. This could have been the chance for Lavelle to end her drought at the Games.

With USWNT chasing a fifth Olympic gold medal and a first since 2012, expectations will be really high from Hayes’ team. The pressure to deliver especially after the disaster of the 2023 World Cup could be the reason behind the team’s more pragmatic approach in recent games and with the gold medal possibly 90 minutes away, the former Chelsea manager is perhaps looking for a more cautious approach.

Still, one fan found it hard to understand how Lyon player Lindsey Horan is starting the final. Horan hasn’t been able to deliver the performances expected of her apart from the two assists against Zambia in the opening game. Yet, it is pertinent to note that she captains the side and her influence is crucial to how the team performs.

As the final kicked off, Hayes’ team don’t appear to be in the best of shapes. There has been little to no threat going forward and they have been lacking a cutting edge in the final third in the first half. Brazil have appeared more dangerous, which is another worrying sign for the Americans.

Fans are pretty fired up about the USWNT’s struggles in the first half, and many are quick to call holding Rose Lavelle on the bench a “dumb” move.

Throughout the competition, there has been chatter about players getting worn out with the grueling schedule of the Paris Olympics. With Hayes not making many changes, many of the team’s players may not be running at a 100%. Hayes had to face questions over her lack of flexibility and using substitutes early after the win against Japan saw Trinity Rodman and Horan ask for physio’s help in extra time to recover. Having played every game so far, has the fatigue factor caught up with Lavelle?

She is named on the bench, which could alleviate any injury fears but it is possible she may not be at her 100%, having been substituted at the 60th-minute mark in the semi-final win over Germany.

Still, on fan thinks even if Lavelle isn’t at her best, she still brings major value to the team.

Emma Hayes may have made a risky decision by not starting Rose Lavelle. But let’s be honest, when has greatness been achieved without some risks involved? Well hopefully for USWNT fans this may pay off.

Update: Emma Hayes was vindicated as USWNT went on to win its first gold medal in 12 years as they beat Brazil thanks to a Mallory Swanson goal in the 57th minute thanks to a Korbin Albert assist. Her decision to start Albert proved to be effective, as she put on an impressive performance in the midfield. Hayes has now proven her stature as one of the best coaches in the women’s game.