Emma Hayes took over as the head coach of the US Women’s National Team less than three months ago. Now, she’s an Olympic champion. In what was meant to be a transitional period for the USWNT, last Saturday’s narrow and nervy 1-0 win over Brazil saw a set of gold medals handed out to a group of players that excelled in France this summer.
The symbolism of the USA holding – and biting – their gold medals was unavoidable. This was a team that faced the brutal reality at the 2023 Women’s World Cup of having been surpassed by the rest of women’s international soccer. England and Spain were seen as the ones setting the standard in Australia and New Zealand.
Now, the USWNT is back on top after a run that saw them sweep aside Zambia, Australia, Japan, Germany (twice) and Brazil at the Paris Olympics. Hayes’ team was so strong that they didn’t even concede a goal in the knockout rounds while the front three of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson provided the goals.
There are still, however, improvements to be made before the 2027 Women’s World Cup when the true measure of Hayes’ US women’s national team will be taken. The USA won gold at the Paris Olympics and are certainly ahead of schedule when it comes to its development under Hayes, but the flaws within the side were still apparent.
Most notably, the USWNT midfield was shaky in more than one match. Hayes favoured a central trio of Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle throughout the tournament, but her decision to drop the latter for Korbin Albert for the final against Brazil hinted at some doubt over the balance of this unit.
In truth, the call over Albert’s inclusion didn’t work in the way Hayes had surely hoped. Albert provided the assist for Swanson’s second half winner, but the USA lacked a rhythm builder in possession. It restricted them to a counter-attacking approach and handed Brazil too much control and territory.
Perhaps Horan was meant to be the rhythm midfielder in midfield, but the USWNT captain was frequently hassled and harried out of possession at the Olympics. Hayes could be heard loudly imploring Horan – and the team as a whole – to pass the ball more quickly, but the Lyon player seemed to struggle with this instruction.
Coffey impressed as the protective barrier at the base of the midfield, but the 25-year-old could also be sharper with her use of possession. If there’s one area of the USWNT that feels like a work-in-progress even after glory at the Paris Olympics, it’s the midfield. That’s surely where Hayes will now focus a lot of her efforts.
Defensively, there are questions over the longevity of Alyssa Naeher and Crystal Dunn. The pair were among the USA’s best performers at the Olympics, but Naeher will be 39 by the time the 2027 World Cup kicks off while Dunn will be 35. Surely this an area of the squad where replenishment is required.
Talent won’t be an issue for Hayes. Indeed, the USA boasts a number of youngsters who could be key figures by that time with Jaedyn Shaw, Lily Yohannes and Mia Fishel all on the brink of making their senior team breakthrough at the elite level. There’s also Catarina Macario who missed the Olympics through injury, and surely some as-of-yet-unknown names that will crop up to make their claim.
Hayes established a core group of first team players she clearly trusts at the Paris Olympics. The USA started eight players in every game of the tournament with Hayes keen to stress the importance of the “connections” developing between players on the pitch. Going forward, though, Hayes must establish the squad depth beyond the starting XI.
None of this is meant to strike a negative tone after the USWNT’s golden glory in Paris. Quite the opposite – it is extremely encouraging that the USA came home with gold and still have room to grow and improve further. This could be the start of a special era for the US Women’s National Team.
