The United States women's national team plays its first major tournament under manager Emma Hayes at the Summer Olympics.

The Olympics are one of two major tournaments in the women's soccer world. The Americans have come up short at the last two Olympics.

A quarterfinal exit in 2016 and a bronze medal in 2020 did not meet the USWNT's remarkably high standard and neither did a round of 16 exit at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Under Hayes, who is considered the best women's soccer manager in the world, the USWNT is expected to return to that high standard.

However, achieving that feat will not be easy in a loaded 12-team tournament that includes France, Brazil, Spain, Canada and Germany.

The full roster and jerseys for the USWNT at the Olympics can be found here on the U.S. Soccer website.

Starting XI

Alyssa Naeher, Jenna Nighswonger, Tierna Davidson, Naomi Girma, Emily Fox, Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Korbin Albert, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson

The USWNT has a few health concerns entering Paris.

Jenna Nighswonger and Rose Lavelle each sat out the farewell game against Costa Rica as a precaution.

When healthy, Nighswonger will be the starting left back. Hayes could switch things up at the position and put Crystal Dunn, who is listed as a forward, at the position.

Lavelle and Lindsey Horan are arguably the two most important players for the USWNT in midfield.

They both have the potential to control the game on their own as well as set up an extended period of time in the final third.

Even without Alex Morgan on the roster, the USWNT Olympic forward group is loaded.

Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson have 61 international goals between them. They are expected to rotate positions in the final third as part of Hayes' tactical setup.

Some changes will be made throughout the group stage due to three games in six days, but this is what the full strength XI should be for the opener against Zambia and for the knockout phase.

Top Subs

Lynn Williams, Crystal Dunn, Jaedyn Shaw

Lynn Williams should be the USWNT's super sub at the Olympics.

Williams brings a ton of goal-scoring experience from the NWSL and international levels to the field. She owns 18 goals in 65 international appearances.

The 31-year-old should be the first attacking substitution off the bench if the Americans are unable to find the back of the net in any of their group-stage games.

Dunn is arguably the most versatile player on the roster. She can play in any of the three levels of the formation and could be rotated between left back and forward.

Jaedyn Shaw is the only teenager on the roster. She already has seven goals in 16 international games and is the USWNT's candidate for breakout star on the international stage.

Group Stage Schedule

Thursday, July 25: United States vs. Zambia

Sunday, July 28: United States vs. Germany

Wednesday, July 31: Australia vs. United States

Germany and Australia are long-time powers in the women's game, but Zambia could be the toughest group-stage opponent for the USWNT.

Zambia forward Barbra Banda is one of the best goal-scorers in the world and she will contend for the tournament's Golden Boot award.

The USWNT is expected to beat Zambia, but it may not be as easy of a matchup as people think.

Germany is looking to rebound from a group-stage exit at the 2023 World Cup, while Australia is after its first-ever top-three finish at a major tournament.

The top three teams in every group advance to the eight-team knockout phase. The ideal path for the USWNT is to win Group B so that it can avoid likely Groups A and C winners, France and Spain, until the final.