This Sunday, October 27, the United States women’s national team will play Iceland again for the second time in four days. Bouncing back from a 3-1 win in Austin, the rematch now heads to GEODIS Park in Nashville as a new pulsating chapter unfolds for Emma Hayes’ team, still undefeated in 11 games. Beyond that outcome, however, a lot hangs on this showdown, from the birth of new stars to the farewell of icons.

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As expected, the opening match against Iceland was surrounded by celebration and, above all, pure, pure talent. The first was Alyssa Thompson, the 19-year-old forward who signed her name with a first goal for the United States. It wasn’t a goal either: an expertly placed shot into the far post sent the Austin crowd into panic in the 39th minute. In a lineup packed with Olympic stars, it was the youngster who stole the show – a surefire sign that the USWNT reformation is in high gear.

Iceland tried to level the match, and the equalizer in the second half showed that they can also surprise opponents. But the American answer came in the final minutes thanks to the experience and talent of two substitutes: Jaedyn Shaw and Sophia Smith. Shaw scored in the 85th minute with the composure of an experienced player, while she is also a promising 19-year-old and a member of the 2024 Olympic team. Sealing that victory in the 88th minute was none other than Sophia Smith, part of the terrifying ‘Triple Espresso’ front line at the Paris Games. At the very least, she proved one reason why she is one of the team’s offensive leaders.

The arrival of Emma Hayes as head coach of the US women’s national team has brought new energy to the team. Without defeat in 11 games, the England coach has proven himself to be a true strategist, subtly using the experience of veterans with fresh energy from players younger than her. The win over Austin reflected this philosophy when, although 10 of the 11 starters were from the Olympic squad, the new generation made the difference on the field.

This would indeed be a new test for this transition process. Sunday’s match in Nashville will be the fourth away game in which Hayes has made roster adjustments, including bringing in a new goalkeeper, young Mandy Haught, following a training injury to Jane Campbell. With a mix of experience and fresh faces, the coach hopes to bring dynamism and aggressiveness to the pitch, something that has already attracted the attention of fans and critics alike.

But beyond the on-court anticipation of how the team performs, the Nashville game will also be notable because it is Kelley O’Hara’s final bow — the farewell to perhaps the most iconic figure in the recent history of the U.S. women’s national team. The defender, who announced her retirement in May, will be honored with a halftime ceremony that will officially end a career that took her to four World Cups and three Olympics.

O’Hara is the stuff of legend, identified with champion. Her goal against Germany in the 2015 World Cup semi-final still resonates with fans – a defining moment in the US’s global journey. Now she is passing the torch, but her presence will live on as a mark that will forever be part of the team’s history.

The roster renewal is a clear hallmark of this USWNT phase. For the squad – with seventeen Olympic players in charge and a number of promising talents making their first appearance in the senior team, such as defender Eva Gaetino and forward Emma Sears – it is a delicate balancing act between old laurels and forging a promising future. The absence of the U-20 players, fresh from third place in the just concluded FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, shows the gradual integration of such youthful talents.

Maddie Padelski, for example, took her chance to start on the last matchday and offered selection options on the right side of the attack. Daya King also returned to the backline to establish a position that has been much more consistent throughout the matches since Hayes took over the reins. All of these thoughtful transitions between generations may be what it takes to keep the U.S. competitive on the world stage.

Sunday’s match against Iceland is a great opportunity for the US to further refine their playing style and for newer players to make a statement. There is also some symbolism in it: this unbeaten run under Emma Hayes simply gives the team a lot of confidence and builds morale for tasks ahead.

For their part, Iceland showed that they are not a team to be trifled with, especially in the second half in Austin. And while they didn’t have the strength to attack, they were still a team capable of punishing every mistake and becoming irritating once the back lines remained strong.