CARSON, Calif. – The U.S. Women’s National Team gear up for its opening match of the calendar year against 41st-ranked Paraguay on Saturday, Jan. 24 at Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP).
Head coach Emma Hayes continued her trend of calling up less-experienced players, as the average caps per player on this roster heading into the match is just 6.6 with six uncapped players. The average age of the roster is 24.1, younger than the last three USWNT camps.
Defender Emily Sams and midfielder Olivia Moultrie, two of the more tenured players, spoke with media ahead of Saturday’s match:
Emily Sams
On defender Ayo Oke joining the team as a replacement…
“I think she's done great. I think you have to stay ready, even when you make the reserve roster, you have to stay ready for these moments. And I think she's done that, and she's performed well. And I will say there is a lot of information to take in. The level is extremely high, the intensity is high. And so definitely a bit of a learning curve for everyone, but I think with that in mind, she's done extremely well”
On Olivia Moultrie’s accomplishments at a young age…
“I think she's been crushing it. I mean, how many goals did you have at the end of last year? Like, scoring for Portland, scoring for the national team? I feel like she couldn't stop scoring at the end of last year. I've watched her from a distance. And then, of course, you know scouting when we play against Portland, but I think I've definitely seen her growth in the last year to six months, and I think it's shown on the field. She's been instrumental for Portland and now for this team.”
On what she can take away from the camp before the NWSL season…
“I think it's a great way to jumpstart our NWSL season. I think for me personally, it's great to kind of focus on what the national team wants from me as I go into my club environment. Obviously, when I'm in my club environment, what they want takes precedence. But then, you know, for extras and stuff like that, I can focus on what the national team wants. So, it's good to get those reminders and be in the best environment to start off the year. I think that's a great way to get that momentum going into the NWSL season.”
Olivia Moultrie
On having Portland Thorns teammate Reilyn Turner in this camp…
“I have absolutely loved having Reilyn in camp with me. We've known each other since I was like, nine or 10 years old. We've been close, honestly, ever since we met and playing at SC Blues together, and then various national team things, and now Portland, and now the full team. It's been so fun, and I'm just really happy for her and our connection has shown in multiple games in Portland, and hopefully we get the opportunity to do that this weekend. But either way, it's just so excited for her to be here, and I'm happy I get to do it with her.”
On what she will take away from this camp…
“I always think there is something to take out of the opportunity of wearing the crest and getting to be coached by Emma and Denise and the staff here and all the analysts. I think it's really exciting to see the opportunity presented to a lot of players in this camp, and it's players that I've played with on youth teams and just seeing kind of start coming into the league. That's fun for me to get to connect with them on a different level, and not always on different teams, but getting to do it together. It’s been very competitive the last couple days, but it's been really enjoyable. And that's what you want at the highest level. It's always fun to be able to be in camp, of course, and an honor to wear the crest, but to be able to start the year like that is the best.”
On what it’s like working with Emma Hayes…
“She has this perfect balance of freedom and letting us express ourselves, but within a system that allows us to be successful. She's really good at picking what information she does give us, and Emma is really smart about the most important things and the things that lead to success, and those are things that are brought to our attention and that we work on specifically. Obviously, we have a lot of talent within the USA, and she has just done an incredible job at bringing people in, and setting the standard and honestly, I couldn't enjoy something more just having very clear expectations from a coach who clearly is extremely knowledgeable about what she does. I have really, really enjoyed playing for Emma, and hope to get to do that for a long time.”
