USWNT vs. Australia: The players to watch for USA ahead of final 2024 Paris Olympics group stage match

The path to the knockout rounds is on the line when the U.S. women's national team meet Australia on Wednesday in their final group game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The USWNT have already secured a place in the quarterfinals but who they will face is still up in the air as Matchday 3 will determine the remaining six teams set to advance. The winners of Group B will travel to Paris and meet the second-place team in Group C (possibly Japan or Brazil) and Group B's second-place finishers will face the second-place team in Group A (potentially France or Colombia).

Head coach Emma Hayes has shown off her preferred starting lineup, led by a potent and productive attack of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman. The ideal starting XI has played their fair share of minutes, however, Hayes has utilized substitution windows when needed, and now an injury to Tierna Davidson means further player rotation for the final group match with quarterfinals set for Saturday, Aug. 3.

Here's who we think could make an impact in light of any rotations:

Emily Sonnett

A member of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup-winning squad and the Tokyo Olympics, Sonnett has been a staple among the national team player pool for years. While she started her professional career primarily playing minutes as a center back, the 30-year-old has spent time across lines as a defensive midfielder and defender between shifts for club and country. Sonnett featured as a dual defensive mid during the USWNT's best game during the 2023 World Cup, their round of 16 elimination against Sweden, but she was listed as a defender on Hayes' Paris Olympic roster.

Sonnett played 25 minutes against Zambia as a midfield substitute and was a connective teammate with her accurate passing. But after Davidson's exit during the first half of Matchday 2 against Germany, Hayes slotted Sonnett into the backline, and now with confirmation of Davidson's unavailability against Australia , we will likely see Sonnett as center back again.

Viewing information

• Date : Wednesday, July 30 | Time : 1 p.m. ET
• Location :  Stade de Marseille -- Marseille, France
• TV: USA Network, Universo  | Live stream: Fubo ( try for free )
• Odds: USWNT -175; Draw +310; Australia +445

Jenna Nighswonger or Casey Krueger?

Fullbacks Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox have put in consecutive shifts over the last two matches with Dunn being utilized across lines and pushed higher up on the attacking line in late-game scenarios, and Fox covering tons of ground connecting with Rodman and locking up opposing wingers.

Krueger and Nighshwonger have been second-half substitutions this tournament but could have increased roles if Hayes wants to shake things up or give additional rest ahead of the knockout rounds. Krueger was part of the Tokyo Olympic roster that won bronze and has the experience to play across the back line at fullback or center back. Nighswonger is coming off NWSL Rookie of the Year honors and an NWSL championship with NJ/NY Gotham FC.

The duo could have increased loads against Australia if Hayes sees Sonnett as a potential long-term centerback solution or if either Fox or Dunn needs extra rest ahead of the quarterfinals.

Croix Bethune

Is this the game where we finally see Croix Bethune's Olympic debut? The 23-year-old attacking midfielder was initially named as part of Hayes' reserve squad but a training injury to 19-year-old forward Jaedyn Shaw meant Bethune got a bump to the game-day roster against Zambia. Shaw is still day-to-day, and Hayes has stated that Bethune will remain with the full team for selection through to the final matchday.

A play-making attacking midfielder, Bethune's remarkable rookie season with the Washington Spirit earned her a spot in Paris. She's already set an NWSL rookie record with her nine assists and has scored five goals through 16 club games. She's yet to see time on the pitch during the Olympics, but will a full 90 minutes from Rose Lavelle against Germany mean Bethune is close to an appearance? Anything is possible on the biggest international stages.

Another alternate promotion?

Players making their national team debut has become common practice during the Hayes era. Several players earned senior team call-ups and minutes while playing for interim head coach and now full-time assistant Twila Kilgore, so promoting another alternate player to the full roster might not be irrational.

Depending on how Hayes and the staff want to utilize the reserve rule at the Olympics, or how severe they believe Davidson's knee contusion is, there's potential to do what they did with Shaw and Bethune and rearrange some players. Orlando Pride's Emily Sams is currently the only "pure" defender on the reserves list and Washington Spirit rookie Hal Hershfelt is among the alternates as a defensive midfield option.