Coach Emma Hayes had different levels to achieve when she joined the USWNT. The first milestone she could reach with the team was winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now, it’s no surprise that the American ladies have shifted their focus to upcoming tournaments like the 2027 World Cup. But what if we told you there’s more to Hayes’ vision than just winning?

The first guess that many of you would make is, of course, to take part in the development of the female program. Yes, brownie points for those correct, but precisely, this next step has been called “The WNT Way”. This has come simultaneously with the US Soccer’s “The US Way” plan. It was unveiled by Sporting Director Matt Crocker at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in January.

“Preparing for an Olympics was far from challenging,” began Hayes while speaking with CBS Sports. “It was extremely enjoyable. But what it meant was that I was taking on a program where — of course, I know a lot about the program — but thinking about the future for that program both on and off the field has taken September up until the turn of the year.“

75 days. No prior international experience. And on top of that, joining a team that was in depths of despair with their 2023 World Cup heartbreak. Despite all challenges, what Hayes did by leading the USWNT to gold is beyond extraordinary. Just compare where the USWNT was then to where they are now. Yet, the English boss claims it was easy. No wonder she has already outlined what one can expect regarding the future developments surrounding the WNT.

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JULY 31: United States head coach Emma Hayes along the sidelines during the second half against Australia during the Women’s group B match during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille on July 31, 2024 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)

The next steps aren’t only the official comprehensive strategy for the US Soccer to move forward. It’s also about fostering player development while also redefining the federation’s role as a driving force behind the sport’s growth nationwide. That surely wouldn’t have been possible without retrospecting humbly, even though they hail the No. 1 spot in FIFA rankings.

“We’ve really had the opportunity to just zoom out and say, ‘Okay, beyond winning and beyond competing to win, what do we want our program to stand for? Beyond all the other extraordinary things it has done over a period of time,'” added Hayes.

For Hayes, the ‘WNT Way’ is beyond just building upon existing strategies and structures in soccer programs. It focuses on tailoring them specifically for women. And considering how much of the framework for women’s and girls’ soccer has traditionally been just a copy-paste from men’s programs, a female lens taking into account differences in physiology, anatomy, and tactics was long overdue.

Simply put, expect Emma to introduce a structured process designed to further enhance the nation’s women’s soccer system. Emphasizing a female-focused approach in every aspect of their work goes without saying. A spoiler alert? The former Chelsea boss is also set to prioritize youth development. As for resources—she has little to worry about!

Emma Hayes has enough at her disposal

To remind you, the end of 2024 brought a major boost to U.S. Soccer’s efforts to elevate its women’s program. The federation received a $30 million contribution from Michelle Kang—an American businesswoman, philanthropist, investor, and owner of multiple professional sports teams—dedicated to developing the next generation of Stars and Stripes talent. Intended specifically to fund camps for women and girls, the donation will be used towards building U.S. Soccer’s digital talent identification platform, which will lead to 100,000 female players getting access to the Youth National Team pipeline. And that’s not all! It will also be used bring more professional opportunities to women and will double the number of female coaches and referees in the game. 

“I believe a gift like this will change the trajectory of the sport. We’re in a pivotal moment for soccer in the U.S. and this will help us support more female players, coaches and referees in the game,” said Emma Hayes, sounding prepared to take on the next big project in women’s soccer.

With these strategic initiatives in place, both the USSF and Hayes have the ideal opportunity to build a robust development program. Of course, this will happen while simultaneously preparing the current team and players for on-pitch challenges. The approach will also establish a solid framework and system, ensuring sustained competitiveness for years to come.

Staying at the top against the elite demands commitment. But fortunately, everything appears well-structured thanks to the “WNT Way” plan by Emma Hayes. How it turns out to be is something that remains to be seen.