In a successful debut with the U.S. women’s national team, head coach Emma Hayes watched Mallory Swanson and Tierna Davidson both score twice in a 4-0 win over South Korea. Hayes, who joined the team just this week after finishing the Women’s Super League season with Chelsea, is on a mission to restore dominance to a team coming off a disappointing Women’s World Cup finish. With an average starting lineup age of 25.5, the team showed promise and potential as they took the field against South Korea in a friendly match.
Hayes, who joined the U.S. team in November, is quickly trying to learn the roster before making selections for the Paris Games this summer. The team’s early exit in last year’s Women’s World Cup led to the resignation of former coach Vlatko Andonovski, and Hayes is determined to bring success back to the U.S. squad. The team’s 4-0 win over South Korea showed signs of progress and cohesion as they found a rhythm on the field under Hayes’ leadership.
A capacity crowd showed up at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to support the U.S. women’s national team in their friendly match against South Korea. Fans showed their trust in new head coach Emma Hayes with signs and cheers as the team took the field. The victory improved the team’s record to 12-0-4 against South Korea, with another friendly scheduled between the teams in St. Paul, Minnesota. The energy and excitement of the crowd added to the atmosphere as the U.S. team displayed their talent.
Key players like Mallory Swanson and Tierna Davidson shined in the match, scoring two goals each to secure the 4-0 victory. Swanson’s give-and-go goal in the 34th minute and Davidson’s goal in the 38th minute set the tone for the game. South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi faced a barrage of shots throughout the match as the U.S. team dominated possession and created scoring opportunities. The performance of the team’s young lineup bodes well for their future under Hayes’ guidance.
In a unique doubleheader event, the U.S. women’s deaf national team also played on the same day, defeating Australia 11-0. Emily Spreeman scored six goals in the victory, marking the first time an extended national team event took place alongside the senior national team. Hayes is taking the time to get to know her players individually, meeting with each one for 15-minute segments to build rapport and understanding. As the team continues to gel and improve under Hayes’ leadership, the future looks bright for the U.S. women’s national team.
