“Terrible Decision”- Emma Hayes Faces Fan Fury for Repeating USWNT’s World Cup Mistake Against Japan at Paris Olympics

Just a year after the terrible 2023 World Cup exit, the USWNT flirted with a premature exit from a major tournament. However, Trinity Rodman showed up big with a clutch strike in the 107th minute to help the US oust Japan and advance to the semi-finals. Besides the game going to the extra time, Emma Hayes‘s player management reminded fans of Team USA’s 2023 World Cup exit under coach Vlatko Andonovski.

Coach Hayes had to wait until the start of the extra time to substitute Mallory Swanson with Lynn Williams. Courtesy of this delayed substitution, fans blast Hayes’s ‘no-rotation’ policy, with some even mocking that the British woman is allergic to using substitutes.

Former USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski took severe heat for not depending on his bench when Team USA was about to crash out against Sweden. Some fans even mocked that Andonovski did not substitute because he was being charged a fine for doing so. Since Andonovski’s successor Hayes has not changed, fans’ humor sense also remains the same.

Emma Hayes’s no-rotation policy gets mocked by fans on X

Renowned women’s soccer journalist Jenna Tonnelli, close to the USWNT and NWSL questioned Team USA’s player management in the game against Japan. “Not to take anything away from Japan, but imo if the US lose this it’s entirely because there have been NO SUBS in 85+ minutes and no rotation whatsoever,” she said. A fan noticed Tonnelli’s post and spared no moment to critique Emma Hayes.

“Terrible coaching decision by Emma Hayes 1000%,” the fan wrote under Tonnelli’s post.

Different fan, same anguished response.

Emma Hayes is sooooo allergic to making subs lol

— AA (@AAFC1011) August 3, 2024

The British coach has seriously disappointed this fan to hear that.

Yet another example of fans flaunting their vibrant wit at the cost of Team USA’s woe.

Seeing the fan sentiment, Emma Hayes undoubtedly has to weather a lot of storms being at the USWNT’s helm.

This fan rightly recalled Vlatko Andonovski’s disastrous World Cup mistake. The Japan tie would indeed be a warning for Hayes to effectively use her bench to navigate further in the Olympic games in Paris.

What are your thoughts on Team USA’s narrow win against Japan? Do you think Trinity Rodman bailed Emma Hayes out after a game that was seemingly riddled with mistakes? Tell us in the comments.