It’s almost as if Emma Hayes already had a golden key to instant success with the USWNT. Within a year, the English manager helped the American ladies get over the apprehension from their 2023 World Cup upset. Beyond the tactical masterclass, defender Sam Staab believes it was the ‘different energy’ that Hayes brought within the team to see them add their fifth historic Olympic gold.

Having coached in the domestic setup for more than 12 years, transitioning to a national team coaching role was no walk in the park. However, Hayes took her first steps into the international arena on a positive note. It also wasn’t easy for the players to adapt to a new manager and achieve the feat of winning the Summer Games in such a short period. Lucky for them, Hayes followed things with an easy approach.  

“She just brings this different energy,” said Staab, in an interview with Megan Reyes and Logan Hackett on the latest episode of DraftKings. “She seems very calm, she knows what she’s doing. I think she just wants everyone to be their best self which I think is a really refreshing thing,” added the Chicago Red Stars center back when asked about the instant impact of the 47-year-old tactician.

Enjoying high pressure was the philosophy that Hayes wanted to implement within the team. Doubts were raised about whether players could handle even the slightest of that burden. Fortunately, even the group felt reinvented by the fresh mindset of the ex-Chelsea boss and delivered greatness in just 10 games of her being in charge.

Staab also expressed her gratitude for getting her first-ever call-up to the national team under Hayes. “I don’t know any different, so that was also really interesting, going in [and] not knowing anything previously about the national team. But yeah, I was really excited to get my first cap and obviously very grateful to her for that,” added the center-back.

“There’s no ceiling there for that group,” is how Staab describes Hayes’ Olympic team. Questions were raised about whether they could achieve this dream in such a short span but all doubts have been cleared. Sadly, Sam couldn’t be a part of the group that fought fearlessly in France. Yet, that won’t stop her from giving her all to get back into the team!

Sam Staab eyes a return to Emma Hayes’ USWNT team

Notably, the two June friendlies, both against South Korea, was the time Sam Staab first wore her nation’s flag. In the initial 3-0 win, she was introduced after the hour mark, having played almost 30 minutes. In the Star and Stripes 4-0 win, she started and played the whole game. When asked if she ever imagined getting into the US Women’s National Team, the defender responded “Never really”.

Interestingly, “pretty surreal” was how Stabb described the feeling of getting her initial call-up to the national setup. It was quite ‘anti-climatic’ for the Chicago Red Star defender, getting an email and sharing the exciting news with her friends and family. Sadly, it wasn’t a similar feeling during the Summer Games as she couldn’t get into the team.

Regardless, Sam seeks to make a significant impact on Emma Hayes to return to the team. “I obviously got my first cap but I think there’s no reason to be complacent.” She added, “I’m now injured and now have to work all the way back into that so I don’t think that there’s really the ‘Oh I made it’ feeling yet or probably ever.”

Let’s hope the next crucial matches and tournament see Sam Staab make her way into Emma Hayes’ roster.