The 24-year-old center back is poised to be a key presence and trusted leader for Hayes' squad for the next decade
Emma Hayes didn't mince her words when asked, exactly, how good USWNT center back Naomi Girma is:
"She the best defender I've ever seen. Ever. I've never seen a player as good as her in the back," Hayes said after the USWNT's semifinal win in the 2024 Olympics, one match before the team claimed the gold medal.
Was there some post-match hyperbole involved there? Perhaps. But from a manager who has coached the likes of Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright and Ashley Lawrence, it's incredibly high praise. There was genuine incredulity from parts of the women's soccer sphere when Girma wasn't included among the 2024 Ballon d'Or nominees, and other teammates have spoken of her quality. Put simply, this is not a normal center back.
And Girma has found her feet at exactly the right time. She is 24 years old, a locked-in starter for the U.S. and a stalwart for her club – all while starring in the most competitive women's soccer league in the world. And for a USWNT undergoing immense change in goal with the imminent international retirement of legend Alyssa Naeher, Girma is primed to be vital for years to come.
GettyChange, change, change
The unspoken remit for Hayes upon taking this job was that the USWNT are set to undergo substantial change in the years to come. It has, in fact, already started, with the retirement of Alex Morgan and soon Naeher, who will play just two more games for the national team – friendlies at England and the Netherlands in the next week. Former U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski was rightfully bashed for his tactics – or lack thereof – but he was also working with an aging squad. Hayes, then, has to change that – bring in the youth while also continuing the whole winning thing.
It's never easy, and has proved to be the downfall of many talented managers before. Eras end, and new ones are, usually, very difficult to start. But it was clear from a young age that Girma would be a crucial part of the next one.
In Girma, then, Hayes has solved a problem position. She may have been a regular under Andonovski, and named U.S. soccer's Female Player of the Year for 2023. But Hayes has unlocked something in full here.
"She's the best defender in the world right now, and arguably one of the best players in the world at the moment," Naeher said Wednesday.
AdvertisementGettyWhat makes her so good?
It was clear, from a young age, that she was destined to be a genuine star. She was a standout for youth teams through all age groups, while Naeher recalled her fitting in at a first team practice when the U.S. needed to call up an extra center back. Naeher knew from that moment that Girma was something special.
The reasons for her quality are numerous. There is, of course, the one-on-one expertise. She won 85 percent of her tackles last season, putting her in the 98th percentile among center backs worldwide, according to . Her 1.15 shots blocked per 90 minutes are in the 95th percentile. She is also well above average in clearances.
And, crucially, over the last 365 days, she has not made a single defensive error leading to a goal. Want a center back who will win her headers and tackles, who is, statistically, flawless? Girma is the epitome.
But there are a few defenders like that out there: proper defensive bruisers who are fearsome in individual matchups. What makes Girma special, and catapults her into the cliche "Rolls Royce" territory, is her passing range. It is well chronicled that Girma was raised as a defensive midfielder, before being pushed back into a deeper role.
The result was a center back who passes like a center midfielder, and can progress the ball into forward areas. Yes, the position has required more ability on the ball these days. But Girma is more than capable – she's elite.
ImagnOther parts of her game
Girma looked genuinely surprised when she scored the U.S.'s first goal against Argentina in a friendly in October. It was, after all, her first goal since college. And it was a good one, too, the center back showing smart movement to head into an open net. She followed it up, somehow inevitably, with a second.
Something has to be made clear here: it is not Girma's job to score goals. The U.S. already has arguably the best attacking trio in the game in Sophia Smith, Mal Swanson and Trinity Rodman (none of which will be playing against England and the Netherlands, as they deal with minor injuries).
There is no great need for Girma to chip in. But it would be nice, and there is a real sense that she could be a threat. At her height, with her physical presence, she should be able to contribute from set pieces. And with the way soccer is trending – set pieces are admittedly trendy at the moment – she might be handy.
IMAGNLeadership
Girma admitted that she has been, perhaps slightly unfairly, thrust into a leadership role – even at such a young age. After all, she has only been in the national team set up for 18 months. And although she has worn the armband for Hayes' side, there are far more senior players here.
"It definitely feels weird to be called a veteran," she said. "But I've had to grow a lot as a leader, and that's something [Hayes] challenged me with when she first came in."
Still, for all of the experience around her, there remain some harsh realities. Lindsey Horan is 30. Crystal Dunn is 32. Rose Lavelle is 29. Sure, there is more experience to be found. But Girma is younger, and perhaps more natural of a leader than the latter two. Center backs, too, often make good captains. And even if she won't wear the armband immediately, it is undoubtedly in her future – especially as others move out of the side.