With four World Cups under their belt, the USWNT is a global soccer juggernaut. That’s why their 2023 World Cup Round of 16 exit felt like a national heartbreak. Since Emma Hayes took over, she has already led the team to Olympic Gold and reinstilled their belief, according to defender Naomi Girma.

Having won the previous two World Cups, many expected the United States to create history by completing a historic three-peat. However, they surprisingly crashed out, marking the first time since 2016, that the team did not make it to the final stages of a major tournament. Ever since Emma Hayes took over from Vlatko Andonovski, the side has reestablished its status. 

“Emma’s a winner,” Girma tells FIFA in an interview. “And that’s something that has been at the core of this team for so many years. To have her come in with that mentality, and to keep pushing us in that direction, was great.” Since taking over the Stars and Stripes, Hayes has won 13 of the 15 games, drawing just twice.

“She’s a fun person off the field and she can laugh with us – and then she can be serious when she needs to be. To have that balance in a coach is really cool. It can make competing at a major, stressful tournament feel a little lighter and take the pressure off a bit.” Girma added. 

As for Hayes, there have been multiple instances where players revealed that she is not only a great coach but also a wonderful human being off the pitch. The coach has formed close bonds with many of her players, For example, she hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for the squad while they were in England for their friendly. 

Ex-USMNT player warns Emma Hayes of not repeating predecessors’ mistakes 

Before Vlatko Andonovski, manager Jill Ellis had won back-to-back World Cups so there was high pressure on the manager to deliver, but crashing out of the 2023 World Cup did not do him any good. Former USMNT star Stuart Holden urged Emma Hayes not to rely too heavily on the veterans in the squad, warning that this approach could cause long-term damage.

Holden’s view sort of came true in the friendlies against England and Netherlands. Hayes started a squad without some key players, including Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson, and it was clear that the team was struggling. Hayes’ USWNT side went on to draw against England and scrapped a narrow 2-1 win against the Dutch. 

On the bright side, Emma Hayes started a lot of young players and with roughly three years to prepare for the 2027 World Cup, the squad will have had ample playing time, giving the coach plenty of options to choose from. Do you think Emma Hayes will lead the USWNT to a fifth World Cup?