New U.S. women’s national soccer coach Emma Hayes expressed caution when asked about the team’s chances of winning Olympic gold in France this summer, citing the increased level of competition in women’s soccer globally. Hayes emphasized that her focus is on the team’s performances and getting that right first. The USWNT has been in disarray since its shocking elimination in the round of 16 of last year’s World Cup, leading to the resignation of manager Vlatko Andonovski and the appointment of Twila Kilgore as interim manager before Hayes took over.
The USWNT has a storied history of success, winning Olympic gold four times and the FIFA World Cup four times as well. However, the team has not made the title match in the last two Olympics, and suffered a surprising loss in the World Cup last year. Hayes acknowledged the competitive nature of women’s soccer now, with other countries investing resources in their programs to level the playing field. She brings a wealth of experience to the role, having led Chelsea to five consecutive Women’s Super League titles before taking on the national team.
Hayes’s debut as head coach will be on June 1 when the USWNT faces South Korea in a friendly match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce, Colorado. With just two months until the Olympic stage, Hayes faces a fast learning curve and is focused on finding the right balance between veteran players and young talent on the roster. Team USA is scheduled to play Zambia on July 25 in Nice, and Hayes is working to prepare the team for the challenges ahead.
Fans were shocked by the early exit in the World Cup last year, but Hayes is determined to rebuild and strengthen the team for future competitions. She emphasized the importance of focusing on the team’s performances and getting them right before thinking about gold medals. Hayes’s diplomatic approach and experience in coaching successful teams will be key as she leads the USWNT into the Olympic Games this summer in pursuit of gold. The team’s history of success, along with the increased level of competition in women’s soccer, will make for an exciting and challenging journey ahead under Hayes’s leadership.
