It takes exceptional skills to get into the current USWNT squad. From attack to defense, the team under Emma Hayes might have given just a small glimpse of what’s coming next. It wasn’t just the gold triumph at the 2024 Olympics, but doing it with 6 straight wins made it frightening. But, despite some big names finding it hard to impress Emma Hayes, Samantha Staab from the Chicago Red Stars is optimistic about her chances. Although she represented her country, she isn’t calm yet and is hungry to make a comeback.

Giving her take on the current Stars and Stripes women, Staab expressed an inspiration to see them young and energetic, and potentially rejoin them in the future. “Some of them are good friends of mine so I’m just really excited to support them and hopefully play with them obviously,” she stated on the Good Follow show. Despite the heavy competition, Staab is excited to see how she and her peers will battle it out to return.

Talking about her debut and place, she said, “I think there’s no reason to be complacent. But it was pretty surreal, obviously getting my first call in and everything. It also was kind of anti-climatic, like I just got an email, so that’s all that happened. And I obviously told my friends and family and that was the really exciting part of it. But it’s also like I’m now injured and now have to work all the way back into that. So I don’t think that there’s really ‘Oh I made it! Like feeling yet or probably ever.'” Staab played her first game against South Korea on June 1 after being subbed in, for Tierna Davidson.

However, despite having a decent spell in the game, she was not part of their subsequent campaigns. Adding to the disappointment, she suffered a gruesome injury, tearing her Achilles tendon in the game versus Gotham FC in the Summer Cup. Although the star holds the record for most consecutive NWSL regular starts, playing 106 games, this injury could keep her out for quite a few months.

While Emma Hayes was picky going into the 2024 Games in Paris, the defender’s return would not be impossible in the future.

Support for young players becoming a hallmark for Emma Hayes

The English coach may be meticulous in her approach but seems to foster a culture of equality. While she dropped Alex Morgan from the main roster, she later cited the youth as a reason for omitting her. Emma Hayes revealed that other players who have been waiting deserved an opportunity to encounter prominent tournaments. Likewise, Sam Staab has already impressed the 47-year-old during training. Hence, the 26-year-old may have a chance once she’s fit.

The defender also praised Emma Hayes for the vibe she creates and stated her passion for seeing everyone succeed. Most USWNT players attested to it and the freedom the former Chelsea coach gives them to play their game. USWNT striker Jaedyn Shaw testified at the manager’s constant support who helped her with an alternative when she suffered a minor injury scare before the Olympics.

Overall, the new phase of the USWNT under Hayes may be a bit intimidating to get into. Yet, Hayes’ system, already created, is what the players trust and remain optimistic about.