Nineteen-year-old Claire Hutton, a defensive midfielder for the Kansas City Current, is one of four new players on the U.S. women’s national team roster for the SheBelieves Cup. Despite never appearing in a game for the team, Hutton is thrilled about the opportunity to compete at such a high level and learn from experienced players.
The U.S. team is set to play against Colombia in Houston as part of the tournament, which also includes Australia and Japan. Coach Emma Hayes is focused on developing young talent ahead of the Women’s World Cup qualifiers next year, with newcomers Tara McKeown, Gisele Thompson, and Michelle Cooper also included in the roster.
Cooper, a 22-year-old forward, expressed gratitude for being included on the team and praised Hayes for investing in young players. The veterans on the team are also excited about the infusion of new talent, with midfielder Sam Coffey noting the positive energy and leadership opportunities that come with mentoring the younger players.
The SheBelieves Cup involves games in three different cities and runs through next Wednesday, with each team playing one game in each city. The U.S. team has won the tournament seven times, including the past five years. Coach Hayes emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for young players to grow and improve, even if it means taking risks and facing challenges along the way.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
