It need not be reiterated that coach Emma Hayes cracked the right code. After the USWNT suffered a heartbreaking exit from the 2023 World Cup—in their earliest World Cup exit ever with a Round of 16 (5-4) loss to Sweden on penalties—apprehension was at an all-time high. Less than a year later, they’ve made a 180 degrees turn, which according to Sophia Smith, was primarily due to Hayes’ management of the team environment. The coach led the team to their fifth Olympic medal in just their 10th game together!

Speaking in a recent press conference for the Portland Thorns, the club’s forward stated, “I think it’s so exciting because I really do believe this Olympics was just a start for us. Having Emma come in and just bring who she is, her energy, and just her vibe I think completely changed the whole vibe of the team and put us into a good position to just do what already know how to do, and what we’ve always known how to do. But do it to the best of our ability and I think most importantly, just enjoy it.”

The team’s attacking trio aka the “Triple Espresso”, Mallory Swanson, Smith and Trinity Rodman tallied 10 of the team’s 12 goals in their six-game Olympic campaign, with five assists and a match-winning goal each in the knockout stage. With a sparkling resume boasting 16 trophies in 12 years for Chelsea FC, Hayes was already expected to change the team’s fortune. And all she needed was a dash of tactical decision-making abilities, hairdressers and karaoke.

In an interview with The Athletic, the coach revealed the need for relaxation, and said, “We socialize differently. We don’t necessarily want to sit around on the PlayStations. We like to have coffees. We like to get our nails done. Ideally, a hairstylist in there. We like to have karaoke. We like to play Lego. We like puzzles.” But those with a keen eye with understand that behind all the fun activities was an effort to “build the relationships, build the trust, build a lightness” that “hopefully shows” in their play. And boy, did it work wonders!

Smith, in another interview, had revealed how Hayes brought fun, energy and belief to the women’s soccer team. “Emma has a sense of humour I don’t think that I’ve ever seen before. She’s so hilarious and chill and funny, and I feel like that’s exactly what we needed. We’re a different team since she’s come in. We have the players, we have the talent. We just needed someone to come in and believe in us and put us in the best position to succeed,” the player stated.

For the team to move at such unprecedented speed was mesmerizing to watch, especially after Vlatko Andonovski’s critical failure sent USWNT spiraling. In the lead-up to the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Rebecca-Sauerbrunn led team showed stunning form under Andonovski, with 22 wins, zero losses and one draw. This also included Olympic qualifying events, where the team won each match by at least three goals. But then the opening stage match against Sweden put the limelight on glaring cracks. In their 3-0 loss, Sweden usurped the US’ defense, relegating them to a disjoined and uncoordinated team. Andonovski’s defense?

“First, there are some things we didn’t do well enough, but I want to give credit to Sweden who played incredibly well. It is what it is. We got bopped.” While many argued the coronavirus pandemic was to blame for USWNT’s bronze-medal finish, the warning signs were glaring. By the end of the former FC Kansas City coach’s career, the women’s team had won just three out of 10 games in two major tournaments. He ended his tenure with a 51-5-9 record. What’s even more surprising was players had specifically asked for Andonovski after Jill Ellis stepped down. In hindsight, they’re most probably regretting that choice.

As for Emma Hayes, the United States women’s national soccer team’s success is a dream she has long harbored—one that her father manifested.

Emma Hayes fulfilled late father’s wish decades later

Londoner Emma Hayes had always dreamt of leading the United States team. Starting her coaching career in 2008 with the Chicago Red Stars, it took the coach 15 long years to reach that goal. But the one person she’ll always thank is her late father, whom she calls “the biggest feminist” of her life.

Before Sid passed away in September last year, he gave an important responsibility on his daughter’s shoulders: “He said “if the United States comes up girl, are you going to take it? I was like ‘yes, dad’. He was someone who has been an advocate of the USA.” 

Sid’s love affair with US soccer began in 1999, when he was one of the 90,185 people watching the USWNT win the World Cup over China. The old man made a prompt phone call from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena to his daughter. “Emma, you’ve got to come to America. It’s unbelievable girl. More than ninety thousand at their games. I’ve not known anything like it,” the then Liverpool Hope University College student was told.

The women’s soccer team coaching position was the perfect parting gift from Sid. The United States Soccer Federation extended the job offer on September 5, but Hayes failed to respond owing to her father’s ill-health. Then, just a few days after his passing, a soothing voice reached her ears, en route a Chelsea training session. “You’ve got to go that interview girl.” And as people say, the rest is history.

After the Lindsey Horan-led team’s Paris domination against Brazil, Sid was present amid the jubilation as Hayes recalled him yet again. In a post-race interview, she said, “I’m very emotional. It’s been a dream of mine to be in this position. I have to thank my dad because he’s the one who pushed me to this point to be able to come and coach an unbelievable group of players that have received me so well and taken on board everything I have asked. They are tremendous people and players and role models. Yeah, I love them.” 

Now that the world’s seen what the team’s capable of under the able leadership of the Briton, eyes will be on the 2027 FIFA World Cup. Do you think the USWNT will be able to retain their dominance till then? Let us know in the comments below!