Keep celebrating USWNT. You guys deserve all the success and plaudits that come your way. Players like Naomi Girma, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith, to name a few, performed admirably well. Well, all this became possible because of Emma Hayes’ astonishing leadership after she took over the team, just two months before the Olympics. She kept them grounded and led them to a fifth Olympic gold medal. The hallmarks of a brilliant coach? She prepares for the next!

Most times, when a team wins a major title or a medal, they usually take their gas off the pedal. With all the pressure before the tournament, players often cool off after a grand season. But some take their game to the next level in a bid to achieve more. Emma Hayes comes from that mold!

Emma Hayes’ blueprint for USWNT’s impending success

In a chat to get to know her next plans, Hayes laid out the blueprint for the USWNT to improve their performances. She stated, “I think playing top-level opponents around the world matters. For me, I don’t want to stop short just in Europe. We have a World Cup to consider in 27 so that will be a part of my thinking over the next couple of years.” 

Playing friendlies against top-level opposites always helps a team to understand where they stand. If you take soccer clubs, for example, some clubs prefer to play friendlies in their own country. Traveling adds to the expense, but the actual competition comes when one goes abroad. Playing in a different country would bring its own challenges in terms of playing style, atmosphere, etc.

Emma Hayes wants the USWNT to travel worldwide to take the national team to the next level. She detailed, “Yeah, I mean going to the home of the European Champions, the best team at least in Europe alongside Spain, gives us a chance to see where we measure up. Away from home even though we’re away here, both are neutrals in front of a sellout crowd at Wembley. I want to bring out the best version of ourselves there and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The USWNT will play a friendly against England on November 30th, which will probably be their first big test. They won the European Championships in 2022 and became the team to beat in the women’s international soccer scenario. They did not play at the Olympics due to various issues related to Great Britain’s national team.

Coming from England, Emma Hayes believes her national team and Spain, with Alexia Putellas at the helm, are probably the biggest contenders for major international tournaments. The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup promises to be a tight affair. After the USWNT gold medal at the Olympics, the World Cup remains another hunting ground for Hayes to deliver. Last time in 2023, Sweden knocked them out, and the team faced criticism for a poor showing.

Therefore, Emma Hayes remains focused on the task ahead. We can’t wait for the USWNT vs England friendly. How about you?