In November, U.S. Soccer decided to hire Emma Hayes as the new manager for the U.S. women’s national team, despite sacrificing a year of continuous preparation under a permanent manager. Interim management oversaw the team for eight months following the 2023 World Cup, with Twila Kilgore leading the team to victory in a pair of tune-up competitions. However, the program needed a clear new vision, and many are questioning if the team is better prepared for the Paris Olympics than it was after their disappointing performance in the World Cup. The 2023 World Cup cycle under Vlatko Andonovski was considered a low point for the USWNT on the field, with issues in build-up and chance creation affecting their performance.
During the World Cup, the U.S. team showed strengths in allowing fewer shots per 90 and having a significant advantage in expected goals (xG) per 90. However, their issues with build-up and chance creation were evident, as they struggled to break down the opposition in the final third. The team’s direct speed in progressing the ball upfield was commendable, but they lacked ideas once they reached the opposing defense. The focus on improving in these areas led to the hiring of Emma Hayes, known for her tactical expertise in breaking down low blocks and creating attacking solutions.
Under interim manager Kilgore, the USWNT showed promising performances, particularly in the Gold Cup quarterfinal against Colombia, where they displayed a more direct style of play. Despite winning the inaugural Gold Cup and the SheBelieves Cup, questions remain about the team’s consistent goalscoring ability and readiness for the Olympics. While individual players like Alex Morgan, Mallory Swanson, and Catarina Macario showed improvement, there is uncertainty about how many young players will need to prove themselves under Hayes’ tenure.
The upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Mexico will provide tests for Hayes as she continues to study her team and assess their capabilities. With Zambia joining the U.S., Germany, and Australia in the Olympic group, the competition will be fierce, and the U.S. team will need to elevate their performance to advance to the knockouts. The program’s decision to spend so many months under interim leadership will be closely scrutinized, with the players’ performances under the spotlight more than Hayes’ job security. The pressure will be on the team to deliver results in Paris and live up to the high standards set by generations of U.S. women’s soccer players and fans.
