USWNT roster age: Jaedyn Shaw, Korbin Albert headline historically young USA squad at 2024 Olympics

Emma Hayes has never been afraid to put her faith in youth, offering debuts to some of the sport's most talented youngsters during her time at Chelsea. Her arrival as U.S. women's national team coach has done nothing to change that philosophy. In fact, it may have amplified it.

In her first major international tournament, Hayes selected quite the youthful side. The aging disposition of UWSNT sides of the past is largely missing from this year's Olympic team, replaced by a youthful exuberance that Hayes hopes will pay dividends in the short- and long-term.

Hayes' squad features 12 players under the age of 30, a notable shift from the 2021 Olympics, which saw USWNT players carry an average age of 30.8.

Will that yield better results for the Americans going forward? That seems to be the hope for Hayes and Co., who are hoping to find the formula to bring the program back to its successes in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 editions of the Games.

Here's a look at USWNT's slick turnaround, one predicated largely on increased numbers of young prospects being brought into its orbit.

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USWNT roster age

With an average age of 26.8, this year's iteration of the USWNT is a far younger outfit than in years past. In fact, the USWNT's 2024 roster represents the youngest it has sent to the Games since 2008, with an average age of just 26.8 years. That figure is the fourth-lowest in USWNT Olympic history.

The squad is spearheaded by a slew of prodigies. Jaedyn Shaw shines as a forward/midfielder at NWSL side San Diego FC, having tallied 12 goals in 42 appearances across three seasons with the Wave. She's the most prolific teenager in league history, surpassing Trinity Rodman's record mark.

Korbin Albert's inclusion on the roster prompted a heap of controversy . Nevertheless, her performances for club and country persuaded Hayes to give her a spot in the side at the tender age of 20.

Other notable youngsters include Rodman (22), Jenna Nighswonger (23), Sophia Smith (23) and Naomi Germa (24), all of whom are expected to make significant contributions in this year's tournament.

The roster's age demographics are certainly eye-catching, especially given what it means for some of USWNT's most venerable servants, including 34-year old Alex Morgan, who was left off the final roster in favor of more vivacious attacking talent like Rodman, Shaw and Sophia Smith.

Hayes appears confident in her decision, however; she handed starts to seven U-26 players in the side's first match of group stage play against Zambia on Thursday.

7 - Seven of today's #USWNT starters are 26 years old or younger, the most such starters for a major tournament match for the team since having seven against Sweden in the 2007 World Cup group stage. Exuberance. pic.twitter.com/CxbfWOtY3O

— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 25, 2024

USWNT Olympic roster 2024

Note: Catarina Macario was scratched from the roster due to injury.