USWNT: Emma Hayes Believes Rest of World "Do Not Fear the USA"
USWNT: Emma Hayes Believes Rest of World "Do Not Fear the USA"
"The realities are that the world game is where it is, and the rest of the world do not fear the USA in the way that they once did and that's valid.
Now that Emma Hayes has taken over as head coach of the United States Women’s National Team, she is looking to bring the USWNT back to its rightful place at the top of the women’s game.
At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Stars and Stripes took a bit of a step back. They finished second in their group and were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Sweeden in penalties. Considering the dominance of the USA in the mid 2000’s and throughout the 2010’s, it was clear that change was needed.
That’s where Hayes steps in.
The former Chelsea Women’s head coach was named head coach of the USWNT in 2023 and after fulfilling the duties with the English club she now is preparing for her first camp and matches as head coach.
Hayes wants to make the USWNT one of the most feared nations in women’s soccer once again.
“If we can perform at our best level, then we have a chance of doing things," Hayes said at a small media roundtable that included ESPN at the National Women's Soccer League's offices. "But we've got work to do. The realities are that the world game is where it is, and the rest of the world do not fear the USA in the way that they once did and that's valid.
"It's our job to grasp quite quickly what we need to do to get close again to those levels,” she added.
Hayes will be faced with a major challenge. With the Olympics on the horizon, she will have to quickly adapt to the new squad and get the Stars and Stripes back to their dominant ways.
The USWNT plays South Korea two times in early June before Hayes will have to select her Olympic roster.