Project 2024 Paris Olympics went quite successfully for the USWNT, didn’t it? Securing a gold medal—within just 81 days under their new head coach, Emma Hayes—boy, do they deserve brownie points. But with the initial challenge successfully completed, we hope the American ladies are still eager to chart a course for the future, say winning the 2027 World Cup. But do any of these plans include a solid strategy for integrating the new generation? Fortunately, this is exactly what Olivia Moultrie addressed in an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, in collaboration with Red Bull.

“I’m very much a believer of making everything we do interdisciplinary and that from WNT down to YNT, there’s a very, very clear pathway for our players,” Hayes once remarked while expressing her excitement about future camps after leading the USA to their Summer Games triumph. Honestly, hearing such words makes us appreciate how dedicated the English tactician is—not just to winning silverware but also to nurturing the next generation.

However, more than words, people believe in results. While the road to the next World Cup is long, Moultrie trusts that Hayes will have everything figured out. “I definitely think she’ll make a big impact,” Moultrie told host Andrew Whitelaw on the EssentiallySports exclusive. “We’ve talked a bit about preparing us for that next World Cup, this next wave of players that’s coming in, how can she put us in as many situations possible that prepare the group coming for what that will look like? Because obviously, you can’t prepare for it till you’re in it.”

Then again, it’s not that simple. Already, the competition is high for the USWNT players to make it into the roster. And for a tournament like the World Cup, every time, it would be highly anticipated to present their best selves. Adding the factor of how the young players will get a chance in the 2027 installment cannot be answered directly.

Instead, Moultrie revealed that Hayes is “committed” to how can she help the next-gen get enough international experience that will be enough for them to experience a World Cup setting. That is apparently her biggest priority of all. “It’s not just like, ‘Oh, yeah, I hope everything goes good. Then you show up to the full team and I get to work with you.’ It’s like, ‘How can my influence follow through to the youth?’ She’s really committed to that and I’m really excited to see how that will play,” added Olivia.

Notably, part of the process also includes not making the mistake that the USWNT did under their previous leadership. To recall, Vlatko Andonovski was slammed for combining a roster with veterans like Megan Rapinoe along with youngsters like Alyssa Thompson. Rest assured, figuring out the plans for the World Cup and the future of youth players will help Hayes stay in a cruising mood. After all, we’re barely required to be tensed, given how Moultrie described her first experience under the former Chelsea boss.

Olivia Moultrie is more than impressed by Emma Hayes!

The star midfielder also told host Andrew Whitelaw in an exclusive chat with EssentiallySports that the new USWNT boss has made a ‘big‘ impression in her eyes. Olivia even praised Hayes for bringing a lot to the table. The player even sees her national team manager operating at a level comparable to the men’s game.

“She’s bringing those aspects of the game to the women’s game and now bringing that to the WNT. That’s really fun to see and be a part of. I think we see the game very similarly and want to play it that way. You want the ball; you want possession, patience, and just letting the game come to you and having fun with it,” emphasized the Portland Thorns midfielder.

After missing the Olympics, Olivia Moultrie earned a start only in the second match against Iceland. Injury concerns kept her out of the USWNT squad for the England and Netherlands friendlies, as well as the 2025 January camp and the SheBelieves Cup. Naturally, she’s eager for a call-up in the next camp. If she gets called up there, let’s see what more Hayes has to unveil about her plan.