Emma Hayes snubbing Alex Morgan from the USWNT’s Olympic squad arguably had a domino effect on the US striker’s retirement, earlier this month. Besides, coach Hayes had faced flak from all sides when she fielded a relatively inexperienced squad and left Morgan out. However, what happened at the Olympics is history. The passing of the guard has culminated in the US camp, as Hayes and this bunch of youngsters did what the USWNT couldn’t do for the last 12 years- win an Olympic gold.

Having played under Emma Hayes in Chelsea for four seasons, English legend Katie Chapman is quite aware that her squad decisions are that of a visionary. Chapman is eager to reunite with Hayes in the Wembley stadium, as the USA plays the England WNT in a friendly in November. Speaking of the reunion, Chapman commended Hayes’ USWNT stint, especially her act of bringing a young team together, while not having “big names.”

“I think with the US team, she took on a young squad. She left some big names out of the squad [at the Olympics]. She’s good tactically, she knows what she’s doing,” said the former Lionesses star Katie Chapman, as compiled by the Ealing Times. Chapman added, “If she can relate and get the players on the right page and buying into what she’s doing, she’s got the job done.”

Indeed, Alex Morgan’s Olympic snub was a sad storyline for hardcore USWNT fans. But it is what it is. As Chapman said, Emma Hayes got the job done at the Paris Summer Games. Meanwhile, it must also be noted that the former Chelsea and Lionesses star is not the only one to see the good in Hayes’ decision to snub Morgan.

A soccer analyst claimed that Emma Hayes’ Morgan snub helped the US front three excel

What happened with the USWNT’s front three at the Olympics is history. They inspired those people who frowned on Morgan’s snub to say ‘no Morgan no problem.’ Under Emma Hayes’ watch, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson struck a whopping 10 goals at the Summer Games and led the US to the Olympic crown after 12 years. Colombian footballer and ESPN analyst Sebastian Salazar once credited Hayes for unlocking the US trio’s potential by leaving out the two-time World Champion.

“She [Hayes] made the big decision to leave Alex Morgan at home and I got to think that that played a big part in this front three, feeling like they could be themselves. And truly take over this team and then ultimately take over this tournament,” Salazar said in an ESPN FC episode last month.

Do you think like Chapman and Salazar that Hayes was right to exclude the San Diego Wave legend from the US side? Tell us in the comments.