5 USWNT players who played their last game and who will replace them

5 USWNT players who have played their last game and who will replace them

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA misses her team's fourth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) /

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ST LOUIS, MO – APRIL 11: Becky Sauerbrunn #4 of the United States celebrates her 200th cap before a game between the Republic of Ireland and the USWNT at CITYPARK on April 11, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images) /

1. Becky Sauerbrunn

USWNT Replacement: Naomi Girma

Christian Pulisic may be the “Captain America” of the USMNT, but Becky Sauerbrunn is that for the USWNT. The Portland Thorns’ center-back is the epitome of how a leader should act both on and off the pitch. Sauerbrunn captained the USWNT for two different stints during her career (2016-2018, 2021-present). From the minute that Carli Lloyd retired, Sauerbrunn made it her mission to create new leaders within this team. Not only did she do that, but she molded the next great center back that will fill her shoes, potentially as the next captain for the foreseeable future, Naomi Girma.

There is no question now that everyone in the United States has had some time to digest this loss of who the player of the tournament for the USWNT was. The 23-year-old Girma walked into her first-ever major tournament as if she had been doing it all her life. She was one of just four players to have contributed in every minute for the U.S. this summer. Only wing-back Crystal Dunn had more final third entries than the Stanford product. She was the only player to complete over 200 passes through four contests. Girma is an absolute rockstar.

As captain Lindsey Horan said emotionally postgame, “(Naomi) made plays like she’s 30.”

The new No. 4 on this team is ready to take the reins of the backline. Sauerbrunn led the way. Now, it is Girma’s turn. The fact that the biggest bright spot in this World Cup was a 23-year-old tells you everything you need to know about the current San Diego Wave defender.