The USWNT has been the gold standard of women’s soccer for possibly the last two decades. They have had the players and the team to win multiple tournaments from the Olympics to the World Cups. Yet, they had a barren spell in the Olympics from 2012, and Emma Hayes, in epic fashion, restored parity in Paris. But mind you, it was not a straightforward task.

The pressure you have to become a USWNT manager is quite extraordinary. Think of this. It’s the same amount of pressure you have when you become the men’s Real Madrid manager expected to win the Champions League every season. Thus, Emma Hayes felt the pressure as she spoke in a podcast regarding the job.

Emma Hayes appeared in BBC’s Five Live Breakfast podcast and spoke, “I was reminded of how important the US team is to the American public. And for them, the Olympics is so significant. Anything other than the gold medal in the eyes of the US public is seen as a failure.”

In the recently released Netflix documentary Untold: Hope Solo vs U.S. Soccer, Solo mentioned how the 1999 USWNT team set the standard. Players like Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach ensured success for generations to come. They paved the way for the USWNT to succeed, although Solo discussed multiple various issues she had with that particular squad. Nonetheless, the winning mentality passed on for generations, and Emma Hayes’ brightest stars came up with the goods.

Hayes arrived from Chelsea after dominating the managerial scene in England, from start to finish. At Chelsea, she spent around 12 years at the club and won 16 majors. 16 majors in 12 years is quite remarkable. Nonetheless, she believes the stress that comes with the USWNT is far more elevated.

Emma Hayes’ USWNT career is about to take off!

One can say the famous 1999 USWNT team set the mentality straight. The iconic 2012 London Olympics kick-started a dominance that ended in a 2019 World Cup win for the USWNT. They also fought for the equal pay movement. But the present USWNT team plays incredible soccer.

The influence of a European coach who loves to attack is prevalent in most of the US games. Emma Hayes unleashed Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith, and they paid her back with high dividends.

Pressure? What pressure!

The English coach took over the team just 2 months before the Olympics, showcasing her ability to take control of the squad. Hence, she is embracing the pressure as it comes. The team looks fine under her leadership and the next target is the 2027 Women’s World Cup. She has three more years to prepare her team and coach her players. It would be the ultimate test. Yet, if she fails that, one can say the pressure might come back for Emma Hayes and the USWNT.

Well, the best work well under pressure, don’t they?