Winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics was indeed poetic and all for the USWNT. While the American ladies are likely still living in the honeymoon phase, it is important to remind them that the real test begins now. That’s because Emma Hayes has already outlined some crucial ‘next steps’ for the group if they wish to retain their spot at the top of women’s soccer.

That’s something that may interest many, considering how hard the four-time World Champions have worked to regain the global dominance they enjoyed over the years until the 2023 World Cup saw them fall into a bottomless pit. To avoid such failure after their historic run in the Summer Games, Hayes decided to analyze where the team fell short in France.

“We’ve done a review of the Olympics as quite an extensive, comprehensive report in and around,” she began while addressing the media during a Zoom meeting ahead of their first clash against Iceland at Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas. “Not just everybody’s experience at the Olympics, but most importantly, where the missing gaps are. For us to be world-leading in anything and everything we do, we have to know what our next steps are,” concluded Hayes.

Of course, it’s not like Hayes is the only coach in the world to do this practice. Yet, it does signify she isn’t letting the team go under a snooze mood, just because the upcoming three matches, twice against Iceland and one against Argentina, are merely friendlies or so-called “victory tours.” Relatively, it’s more sort of a warning for all the invited 26 players to make the best out of this window.

This is something that players should have seen coming. Earlier, while acknowledging that the team has successfully completed step one by delivering outstanding performances at the Olympics, Hayes emphasized that the next steps involve not only strategizing for the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 LA Olympics but also understanding “the importance of determining what the Women’s National Team needs, putting in place the foundations, and the building blocks for us to have sustained success.”

Indeed, the next couple of years before they prepare for either of the significant tournaments are crucial for them. Not to mention, their future squad also depends on this step.

Emma Hayes shares a ‘clear’ pathway for future USWNT camps

In a recent interview, Emma Hayes shared her excitement about establishing a clear developmental pathway for players at every level. “I think first of all, I’m really excited about the Futures Camp. I’m very much a believer of making everything we do interdisciplinary and that from WNT down to YNT, there’s a very, very clear pathway for our players,” she said. 

Hayes’ vision extends beyond simply putting together a squad for the upcoming matches. With that in mind, the team is organizing an innovative event aimed at uniting coaching efforts throughout U.S. Soccer. “But like I said, we’re going to have a WNT and YNT conference there, the first of its kind, where all youth coaches, national team coaches, and the staff in and around the teams come together so we can deliver a unified strategy,” she concluded.

Looks like things are going to get real for the USWNT!