Stu Holden: USWNT Should Not View Paris Olympics as a Development Tournament

Fox Sports soccer analyst Stu Holden believes the USWNT should not approach the Paris Olympics with the mindset that it is a developmental tournament. Holden explains that while the Olympics can provide an opportunity for younger players to gain experience, it is also an important competition for the team to win.

Fox Sports soccer analyst Stu Holden believes that the USWNT should not have the mindset that the Paris Olympics will be a developmental tournament. Holden explained that while the Olympics can provide an opportunity for younger players to gain experience, it is also an important competition for the team to win.

“I think it's a mistake to go into the Olympics with the mindset that it's a developmental tournament,” Holden said. “The Olympics are the biggest stage in women's soccer, and the USWNT should be aiming to win gold.”

Holden pointed out that the USWNT has a history of success at the Olympics, having won four gold medals and one silver medal in the past five Games. He said that the team should not be satisfied with anything less than a gold medal in Paris.

“The USWNT has a target on their back, and they should embrace that,” Holden said. “They should go into the Olympics with the mindset that they're the best team in the world and that they're going to win gold.”

Holden's comments come as the USWNT prepares for a pair of friendlies against Nigeria this month. The matches will be the team's first since winning the SheBelieves Cup in February.

The USWNT will face Nigeria on June 10 in Kansas City, Kansas, and June 13 in Austin, Texas. The matches will be the team's last before the Olympics, which begin on July 26 in Paris.

The USWNT is ranked No. 1 in the world, and they are the favorites to win gold in Paris. The team has a wealth of experience, and they are led by some of the best players in the world, including Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Becky Sauerbrunn.

The USWNT will be tested in Paris, but they have the talent and experience to win gold. The team should not approach the Olympics with the mindset that it is a developmental tournament. They should go into the Games with the mindset that they are the best team in the world and that they are going to win gold.