Hayes’ USWNT camp celebrating gold while looking to future

AUSTIN, Texas — United States women’s coach Emma Hayes on Wednesday called the team’s October training camp “the perfect window” to test out new players who could bolster the squad following its Olympic gold medal earlier this year.

Hayes called up six uncapped players to the USWNT for a training camp ahead of a pair of games against Iceland, and a third match against Argentina next week. Three of those players are also in their first senior team camp.

“There will be debuts over this block,” Hayes said on Wednesday at Q2 Stadium. “This window, plus the January window, are the two big windows in the immediate to be able to assess what other players from outside the current playing pool are going to be candidates to be involved with what we’re going to be doing.”

Thursday’s match against Iceland will also mark the first time the team has gathered since the Americans won Olympic gold on Aug. 10 in Paris. For as much talk there is about turning the page toward the 2027 World Cup and identifying new talent, the three games this window are contractually considered the team’s victory tour.

“Number one, we want to celebrate,” USWNT midfielder and captain Lindsey Horan said. “We want to celebrate with our fans. We haven’t been back together…