It’s been a whole new ballgame for USWNT in the Paris Olympics. With Emma Hayes leading the pack at the helm, dynamics had to change—after all, it was a vow that the American ladies took to rise from the ashes of their previous upsets. Of course, that’s going to demand a lot of hard work and sheer perseverance from the whole group. Lucky for the USA, Hayes doesn’t have any ‘time to waste’ as she looks to get results despite the limited duration of the Paris Olympics.

Speaking ahead of the final clash vs Brazil at Parc des Princes, the ex-Chelsea boss was in denial when asked if she was ahead of the schedule in the job. “I don’t think like that. I only every think about things within my control,” she said, as compiled by Lancashire Telegraph. 

The 47-year-old continued, “I knew we didn’t have time to waste. We had to deliver in a concise way the methodology, the principles, all of that stuff, in an almost perfect way. Sometimes you can have too much time. I’ve learned in my career you only have the present. I don’t want to talk about the past or the future. We’re in the position we’re in because we’ve managed to stay in the present.” 

Perhaps for Hayes, it was a blessing in disguise that her initial test for the USWNT job turned out to be a major competition like the Olympics. Though the time frame isn’t much, she did a pretty good job, considering her debut on the international scene as well. USWNT curtained a perfect group stage with all three wins, further making their case in the knockout stages. They are now just one step away from bagging the historic fifth gold.

Undoubtedly, special thanks go to Hayes, who wants no excuse whatsoever. Perhaps this explains why she simultaneously wants USWNT to prepare the hardest way possible.

Here’s why Emma Hayes wants the USWNT to ‘suffer’

Despite having previously expressed concerns about the lack of recovery days for players in the ongoing summer games, the English tactician now encourages the American team to push through fatigue by delving into their ‘pain cave.’ When quizzed over the lack of substitutes, she said, “I’ve said this all along — the reason I want to play the team together for as long as possible is because I want them to develop that. I want them to suffer.”

For Hayes, not being susceptible to constantly playing won’t help the team instill a winning habit. Many might criticize Hayes’ approach, particularly her steadfast ‘no-rotation policy,’ which she has consistently adhered to. The former WSL coach has frequently faced criticism for relying on fewer substitutes. However, for Hayes, ‘minimal changes’ are crucial for fostering creativity.

While questions linger about the team’s style of play, Hayes and her staff are currently focused on achieving results and rebuilding the team’s reputation on the global stage, especially after the humiliating round of 16 exits in the 2023 World Cup. Regardless, they can get a clean slate with gold in the Paris Olympics.