When examining the U.S. women's national team in the 2024 Paris Olympics, it's easy to cast your eyes towards the opposition's cage. Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman have been the most prolific trifecta in world soccer over the past few weeks, accounting for nine of the 11 goals for Emma Hayes' side .
And yet the Americans' best player likely resides far behind their vaunted "Trident." Naomi Girma has been a menace in the back, turning would-be attacks to ashes with her languid stride and inch-perfect timing in the tackle.
There's been plenty of upheaval across Hayes' starting XI in recent weeks. Girma has been especially affected by it; the backline has waxed and waned over the past few games, with Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox and Emily Sonnett all coming in and out another due to injuries.
MORE: How USWNT's 'Trident' forward line is leading Olympic push
Through the mire, Girma remains, as steadfast as ever. The 24-year old's presence has been a helpful one: through five tournament games, the Americans have conceded just two goals.
Girma is a pivotal part of USWNT's present and future hopes. Hayes seems to believe so, as well: she handed the captain's armband to her standout sentry when the team's go-to skipper, Lindsey Horan, was substituted off during USWNT's 1-0 win over Germany in the tournament semifinals Tuesday evening.
Here's what you need to know about Girma's chances to sport that all-important accessory for the USWNT in the long-term.
Is Naomi Girma the next USWNT captain?
Girma is a leading candidate to don the captain's armband permanently in the future, having received the honor for a spell Tuesday night.
The reason why? To start, she's really good.
Girma is among the best center backs in world soccer, already garnering nearly 40 caps at the tender age of 24. She's elegant on the ball — something she showcased when she whipped a delicate through ball to set up a Swanson chance against DFB-Frauen — and rarely steps out of line, even when matched up against some of the world's best attackers.
During this year's Olympics, she's faced off against Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji and Mary Fowler. She didn't concede a sniff to any of them.
In addition to her talent level, Girma is perfectly positioned to lead a vanguard of American talent for the next decade. The same can't be said for Horan, who has looked out of place in the U.S. midfield throughout the tournament.
MORE: Naeher shines, Horan struggles in USWNT's 1-0 win vs. Germany
Horan is only 30 and still has valuable traits for Hayes' side. But she's garnered criticism for her lack of attacking endeavor as of late. Those issues should only become more glaring with age.
The USWNT is in a transitional period, with Hayes still attempting to brandish her own tactical stamp across the squad in her first year as manager. Girma, a younger player who has already established herself as one of the world's best, is just the sort of figure who Hayes appears willing to place her faith in.
Perhaps Hayes will take a similar approach to Girma as she did with star Swedish defender Magdalena Eriksson, who she brought into Chelsea as a 23-year old in 2017. Eriksson was given the license to develop into one of Europe's finest defenders under Hayes' tutelage.
In 2019, Eriksson was named captain of Hayes' Blues. She proceeded to lead her team to four league titles, proving one of the best leaders in recent soccer history in the process.
Girma has all the makings of a special talent at the heart of the defense. Hayes is privy to that, too. And if she keeps on this trajectory, it's very possible the San Diego Wave defender could take up the captain's armband sooner rather than later.
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