Although Emma Hayes hasn’t yet assumed her new role as coach of the U.S. women’s national team, she’s been involved behind the scenes as the team wraps up a turbulent year and looks forward to an eventful 2024.
Hayes is currently coaching Chelsea in the Women’s Super League and won’t join the United States until May, a short time before the Americans play in the Paris Olympics.
She visited the team last week as they prepared for a pair of exhibition matches against China. The U.S. defeated the Steel Roses 3-0 in the first match on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The second match is set for Tuesday in Frisco, Texas.
Hayes’ fresh perspective is welcomed, especially after the United States was eliminated from the Women’s World Cup this summer by Sweden. The Round of 16 exit was the earliest ever for the four-time World Cup champions.
“I think we’ll learn a lot from her and she’ll learn a lot from us,” defender Emily Fox said. Hayes consulted with interim coach Twila Kilgore and U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker on the team’s roster for the final two games of the year. The U.S. left veterans Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Becky Sauerbrunn and Alyssa Naeher off the squad in favor of taking a look at younger players. “This camp is — honestly, we’ve been saying it’s kind of starting fresh because of the World Cup and everything. Emma, being able to meet her, and obviously having new faces in camp, younger faces,” forward Trinity Rodman said after Saturday’s game.