“We Have to Close the Gap” – New USWNT Boss Emma Hayes Reveals How Team USA Has Fallen Behind European Rivals

The hunger to stay at the pinnacle of soccer remains within the United States of America. Throughout the years, the country has gone the extra mile in its attempt to compete globally among other nations. However, the arrival of new USWNT manager Emma Hayes has rather offered a stark reality, insisting that the US has a long way to go to ‘close the gap’ with its European counterparts.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN, former USMNT star Sebastian Salazar was asked to comment on the fact that the rest of the world is either catching up or has caught up to the US. Interestingly, she replied, “All the rest of the world’s caught up. If anything I think we have to close the gap. In Europe, investment into the game—not just internationally but domestically—has meant that there is no gap whatsoever.”

Speaking from her 12-year experience in Europe with Chelsea, Hayes believes that there is still a long road ahead for the Stars and Stripes. “On some levels, they might have more exposures to more diverse experiences, like I said the European Championship, the Champions League competition. So we have to learn quickly,” she added. 

Some wisdom for the Eagles from the experienced manager. In essence, Hayes wants Team USA to realize that there are still a lot of things to catch up with other European teams. While domestic is the case that the country would have to figure itself out, Hayes can offer her expertise on the international front. Perhaps the upcoming Olympics would help the former Chicago Red Stars boss to help the USWNT achieve its potential. 

Certainly, the excitement remains among the players and fans to hit the ground running under Hayes. After, it was a job that she wanted to take up. 

Coaching USWNT was the only job Emma Hayes wanted

Weeks ago, as Emma Hayes was packing her stuff from the Chelsea office, she sat down for another virtual interview with ESPN. In the lengthy discussion, she was asked where she would have been if the USWNT role never opened. She said, “This was probably the only job that could have prised me away from Chelsea. This was the job I wanted and the one I was waiting for,” Hayes added. 

While reflecting on the time the 4x World Champions approached for her the job, she was going through a tough time, as she lost her dad. Yet, that was the ‘catalyst‘ Hayes needed. The 47-year-old insisted that the timing was right for the WNT to make her the coach and neither did she regret her decisions. Now that Hayes is officially in the US, let’s see if she can transform the team into a formidable side capable of closing the gap with their European counterparts.