Thompson sisters: The future of the USWNT
Being called on to represent your country is one of the upmost honours for any athlete.
Alyssa knows all too well how it feels, making her debut for the USWNT back in 2022.
Her arrival on the international stage has always been a matter of when, not if, for her family, but even they couldn’t believe how early it came for the gifted forward.
In 2023, she was named in the side who competed in the World Cup in Australia & New Zealand.
Gisele, meanwhile, has been quietly knocking on the door of a chance to show what she can do with the senior team.
A constant feature of the youth teams, this is the next step for the defender, with the support of her sister within reach.
But how does head coach Emma Hayes view their respective inclusions in the side ahead of the SheBelieves Cup?
“[With] Alyssa, we have been working hard on her development and particularly understanding of the way we want to play,” the British coach explained.
“I feel like it will take maybe half a dozen experiences with Alyssa and us to really get her into a place where I think we will start taking steps.”
Gisele’s arrival is viewed as a perfect chance to develop talent in a position the U.S. have been somewhat lacking over the years.
“With Gisele, we need to develop more fullbacks. We have to prepare a deeper pool of players as we progress in the buildup to qualify for the next World Cup,” Hayes added.
“We need to develop certain players in certain positions and what better way to give them exposure [than to] put them in situations like the SheBelieves.”
