August 6, 2023—The USWNT was knocked out of the 20th edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup by Sweden in the Round of 16. Entering the tournament as back-to-back champions, they lost their chance to secure a historic three-peat. For the American players, it was no ordinary defeat—it felt like a loss they might never recover from—until Emma Hayes arrived!

10 August 10, 2024—The US Women’s National Team was anything but dejected, proudly wearing gold medals around their necks and celebrating like never before. While Hayes undoubtedly deserves credit, what made the achievement even more remarkable was that it came after just 75 days of hard work. However, given the USA’s stature on the international women’s stage, the World Cup setback was merely a hurdle that any great team can face.

Yet, in Tierna Davidson’s eyes, the journey of the four-time World Cup winners—from the depths of disappointment to Olympic glory—was nothing short of an underdog story. “There was a little bit [feeling] of we are just going to do best; there was the pressure of performing because we hadn’t performed at the World Cup,” began the center-back while speaking on The Women’s Game podcast.

“But there also was this [feeling] like maybe the US is not number one anymore. Maybe other teams are up ahead of them and maybe they’re not the end-all-be-all anymore. There’s a little bit more of that ‘Underdog mentality’ that we were going to fight, scrap, and be pry. I think that gives a bit of extra motivation and freedom to be the underdog in some ways,” added Davidson.

As soon as the US lost in the World Cup, their standings took a hit. Yet, Davidson acknowledges that it didn’t diminish the legacy her nation had built over decades. In fact, she believes that the setback, though unexpected, helped relieve some of the pressure. It was almost as if they needed that knock to their confidence to free themselves from expectations and simply ask, “What’s the worst that can happen?”

The result, is in front of you, as the USWNT has literally taken a rebirth under Hayes. Then again, the team ended up facing another setback recently, casting doubt once again. That eventually saw Davidson to again step up and remind everyone of what Hayes managed to achieve.

Emma Hayes ‘isolated‘ USWNT from outside noise

Tierna Davidson further praised Hayes for setting up a precedent environment for USWNT. After all, they were entering the tournament with low self-esteem. She highlighted the 48-year-old tactician’s habit of shouldering the most distressing burden. Perhaps the pressure created by the media is one, which Emma always knew how to avoid the players getting affected from it.

“She was really adamant about her taking pressure from media and press and like outside sources… So that we could continue our little isolated bubble,” narrated Davidson in the same podcast. The Gotham FC defender added that it almost felt as if she made them forget about what happened last year and focus on what’s important. Fortunately, this approach worked beyond the 2024 Summer Games.

Hayes continued winning the friendly matches post-Olympics until the final matchday of the SheBelieves Cup vs Japan. The Asian side not only secured the silverware but ended the USWNT’s streak at 15 games. While it has again created a gloomy atmosphere, Hayes had only one thing to say: “It’s okay to be disappointed… but our future is exciting.” 

We ought to believe her, especially after what she has done for the US. The question is, do you?