If you think that Emma Hayes joined the US Women’s National Team solely for silverware success, you might be mistaken. Sure, having already capitalized on the English tactician, clinching gold in Paris during the Summer Games campaign, they shall also dream of triumph in the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Then again, what Hayes aims to do for the States goes beyond immediate success—building an ‘infrastructure‘ that remains intact even after she departs.

Of course, who better than Hayes? She took the Chelsea ladies from being up a creek without a paddle to transforming them into one of the most lethal sides in England and across Europe. Lucky for US Soccer, they not only get to benefit from Hayes’ transformational expertise for the future but also from the fact that the 48-year-old already has a plan in hand.

“What I’ve realized is, is that I’m a builder,” she said during a chat with Forbes, “and when I think back to building anything from my ten years when I was in the United States to building Chelsea, I really enjoy putting an infrastructure together so that when I leave it still stays solid.” Sounds like some serious business.

It’s only natural for them to chart a course for the future, especially since they have been buzzing over their Olympics victory. This was something that Hayes had specifically echoed just after the Summer Games’ success. “The next steps for us are know the strategy for 2027, 2028, and the importance of determining what the Women’s National Team ways, putting in place the foundations, and the building blocks for us to have sustained success,” she explained earlier.

The 48-year-old had also insisted on having meetings throughout the course of her tenure with the Stars and Stripes, suggesting she would make the most of her time spent on building a team that the whole nation could bet on. Lucky for her, she has the support of the biggest financial muscle power that the USWNT could ever get.

Emma Hayes has a key weapon with her for securing USWNT’s future for ages!

Largely, all fingers point to the generous and record $30 million investment that US Soccer received days ago from renowned American businesswoman Michele Kang to promote the nation’s women’s program. Her efforts were largely noted by Hayes, who had sent her heartiest ‘gratitude‘ to Kang for believing in women’s sport. Well, she had to, considering how big an advocate Emma is for the women’s game.

Regarding the utilization of these millions, Hayes will look to enhance the US women’s and girls’ programs by increasing competitive opportunities for youth players, improving talent identification processes, and advancing professional development for female players, coaches, and referees. Not to forget the establishment of the National Training Center in Atlanta, where Hayes would be aiming to collaborate with universities to create educational programs, including degree-level courses focused on coaching women and female athletes.

Overall, growth and development are the true paths for the USWNT to follow, with Emma Hayes being one of many to light the way and carry the torch.