Leading the USWNT to a fifth Olympic gold medal was no easy feat and the pundits and fans can’t stop praising the Hayes factor. The plaudits keep coming in for the British coach from various players and some USWNT legends who’ve seen it all.

Ali Krieger, who played center back for the USWNT from 2008 to 2021, acknowledged Hayes for bringing a sense of unity to the squad. After the 2012 London Olympics, the team had a revolver belt of coaches coming in and going out. Finally, they have nailed down a legendary coach with unlimited potential. Hence, Krieger discussed how the players felt ’empowered’ under Emma Hayes.

In her appearance on ESPN, she stated, “Day in and day out, I think she created an environment where people could just take a breath and feel comfortable being themselves. Not only as a human being but also as a player on the field. Bring your individual magic. And I think watching from the outside and talking to some players it was that empowering, the empowerment she gave some players just to say listen.”

It is common for athletes to be under pressure from their home countries to perform at a high level during the Olympics. But most players in the USWNT squad remain comfortable with no sort of pressure on their faces.

Hence, Krieger continued, “This takes grit and determination and heart, and that’s what I want to see. Knowing that everyone looks super comfortable and confident, and that’s how they played all through the tournament.”

Ali Krieger mentioned Emma Hayes’ USWNT success!

The meticulous detailing Emma Hayes underwent with the USWNT showcases the stunning revitalization within the nation. Krieger discussed how Hayes brought in leadership, which creates a positive mood within a healthy environment. A happy work environment creates the best output and you can see the USWNT’s success. Please note that every soccer club has different dynamics. Look at Chelsea now. Confusion and concerns within the environment prevail with players coming in left, right, and center!

Hence, Hayes created an environment suitable for the players to express themselves. This led to the sensational USWNT gold medal. Now, with the 2027 FIFA World Cup in front, one can say the motivation to succeed further increases. Meanwhile, Ali Krieger is delighted to see the USWNT having a new center-back pairing of Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson following in her footsteps.

Krieger remained a sensational player at the back for ages and became a rock at the back. Similarly, Girma and Davidson took over the mantle of providing the right solidarity to keep the team up and running. To sum up, Emma Hayes is a genius manager, the right spark for the USWNT.