Teenagers, a veteran milestone and new faces highlight USWNT’s win over Iceland

Head coach Emma Hayes must balance fresh faces, returning players and a celebration of the team’s gold medal run at this summer’s Olympics in less than two weeks. Here are the main takeaways from the Americans’ first of three October friendlies:

The teenagers took over

Alyssa Thompson made an emphatic return to the national team after nearly a year away, scoring her first USWNT goal.

The 19-year-old is brimming with confidence, having netted five goals in her last eight matches for Angel City FC in the NWSL. She credits her current form to club teammate and goal-scoring legend Christen Press. Her goal on Thursday night was reminiscent of the former USWNT forward.

Jaedyn Shaw, also 19, now has eight goals in 17 appearances for her country, six coming this year. She was the first American player ever to score in her first five starts.

Her game-winning goal marked her first for the USWNT since the She Believes Cup in April, exemplifying Shaw’s unique skill and determination in attack.

She told TNT Sports after the game that being sidelined for the entire Olympics with injury “made me hungrier to come back and produce the same if not more.”

American fans will be delighted with the plethora of young talent at Hayes’ disposal as the squad prepares for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Emily Sonnett joins the 100 club.

Sonnett, one of the USWNT’s most versatile players the past decade, played her 100th game for her country Thursday.

A two-time World Cup winner, she has played as an outside back, center back and defensive midfielder during her national team career, stepping in wherever necessary to ensure the team’s success.

Sonnett’s 100th appearance underscores the shift from her generation to the younger one. Only five players in this camp, including her, have played 100 or more games for the United States. She is one of only five players in their 30s as well.

The milestone highlights the dichotomy between celebration and transition for Hayes during this period.

Congratulations are in order for Yazmeen Ryan and Hal Hershfelt 

Hayes selected six players in this camp who have yet to make their debut, with two of them taking the field Thursday.

On a night dominated by teenage talent, Ryan, 25, and Hershfelt, 23, will likely celebrate the most.

Ryan deserves this chance with the national team after leading NY/NJ Gotham in chances created and touches in the opponent’s 18-yard box this season. She’s key to Gotham’s chance to repeat as champions.

Hershfelt, a defensive midfielder for Washington Spirit, was an alternate this summer in Paris but never rostered. She earned her first appearance in red, white and blue for her contribution to the gold medal-winning team.