USWNT Triumphs at the Paris Olympics: A New Era Under Emma Hayes
PARIS — The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) was resolute throughout the Olympics, embodying themes of joy and belief, trust and confidence, and embracing a fresh start under the guidance of Emma Hayes. After clinching gold on Saturday at the iconic Parc des Princes in Paris, the players faced numerous questions about their emotional journey, their on-field performances, and the shining medals adorning their necks. Yet, lingering questions about the past, particularly the disappointing last summer, remained — especially regarding how this team has transformed from a disheartening World Cup finish to reclaiming their place at the pinnacle of women’s football.
However, despite the overwhelming emotions of victory, this team always keeps an eye on the future. “We know there’s so much more in us; there’s so much more potential in the way we can play and how we can break down opponents,” stated USWNT captain Lindsey Horan during the final press conference, eager to don her goggles and commence the champagne celebration in the locker room after their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brazil in the gold medal match. “My gosh, the way the team is now and seeing the potential for 2027 is incredibly exciting.”
While the players are eager to move beyond the narrative of 2023, the shadows of that summer’s challenges will linger until the next World Cup cycle begins in 2027. The relentless pressure to win remains, as expectations soar: win, win, and win again.
A Fresh Approach with Emma Hayes
Under the stewardship of Hayes, a refreshing atmosphere permeates the team, introducing a new dynamic that was previously absent. From karaoke machines to nail technicians, and a steady supply of coffee, she has met the players where they are, both as athletes and individuals. “We’ve been having so much fun,” forward Trinity Rodman shared after the match. “But again, we still push each other hard. There’s a misconception that we laugh and dance all the time at training, but we just demonstrated to everyone that we are serious and that we take this very seriously.”
This Olympic gold medal signifies that they can indeed have it all: stellar performances on the field, light-heartedness off it, and an underlying joy that threads through every experience, even as they battled through the sweltering summer heat of France against some of the world’s best teams. If this squad has bonded so seamlessly in such a short period under Hayes’ leadership, it’s reasonable to look toward the future with optimism for the upcoming World Cup.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
However, significant work lies ahead before the next World Cup, set to take place in Brazil. FIFA has laid out a schedule for international windows and competitions from 2025 to 2029, but many details, including the timeline for World Cup qualifiers in 2026, remain uncertain.
In the immediate aftermath of their victory, the players will return home, taking a brief respite, but they still have the remainder of the NWSL season to navigate. Hayes, who barely had time to pack her belongings from Chelsea’s facilities, acknowledges that a little downtime is essential. “We have the next four games booked,” she noted. This includes three home matches during the October window: back-to-back friendlies against Iceland in Austin and Nashville, followed by another match against Argentina in Louisville.
In November, the team will return to Wembley Stadium, this time with Hayes at the helm. Their last encounter at England’s national stadium ended in a narrow loss to the Lionesses, coinciding with the fallout from Sally Yates’ report on systemic abuse within the NWSL. This time, they aim to focus solely on the match itself, turning it into a focal point for bragging rights that could resonate until 2027.
Building for the Future
Most importantly, Hayes, her technical staff, the players, and U.S. Soccer now have the opportunity to intentionally build not only for 2027 but also across youth teams, enhancing their relationships with the NWSL, USL Super League, and other international pro leagues.
Hayes understands that the expectations are higher than ever. “My days of being a heart surgeon in the middle of emergency surgery are finally over,” she remarked. She affirmed that she joined the USWNT at a pivotal moment. “Trust me, I know what this jersey means,” she said. “But I’m not going to let it strangle me; far from it.”
When Hayes began her role in May, she worked diligently to shift the conversation from mere results to the process itself, moving away from the team’s lowest-ever FIFA world ranking (they had fallen to fifth) to focus on potential achievements. “Are the USA at their best possible position today?” she queried during a comprehensive sit-down with reporters upon her arrival. “No, but it’s about where we finish when we need to that matters to me.”
On Saturday, just under three months into her tenure, when asked about the progress made, she smiled and stated, “We are so excited about our potential. We are so looking forward to what we can accomplish together. Of course, tonight we have a gold medal, but it doesn’t mean it ends there. We want so much more for ourselves because we’re competitors. But we’re just at the beginning. About 75 days in, baby.”
With that, it was time for the team to join the celebration surely already in full swing in the locker room. Goggles were waiting, and while the pressure would always linger, it could wait for a few more days. After all, there are still 1,046 days until the first kick in Brazil.
(Top photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
