USWNT begin the Emma Hayes era with two big wins over South Korea

The USWNT beat South Korea twice in four days to kick off Emma Hayes‘ international managerial career. Over two games the USA scored seven goals and conceded none! Hayes showcased a 4-2-3-1 formation that would dominate the ball against South Korea over the two matches. She played a whole lot of players on the roster as Hayes got her first and last look at some of the players she could pick to represent the USA in July’s Olympics. Let’s look back at matches and look forward to the future with this national team.

USWNT wins first two matches under Hayes

Fourth-ranked USA took on 20th-ranked South Korea in two games that were good exercises, but not that challenging in the long run. In the past few years, the USWNT would play down to their opponent, this version of the team did not. Hayes used 20 players from the start over those two matches, with only Horan and Nighswonger starting both games; overall, 22 players graced the pitch for Hayes over those two matches. Each and every player that took the pitch gave their all for their country and balled out.

It’s hard to really say that any one thing looked worrying from this USA side. The team was ready and willing to do what needed to be done to dominate both games. Whether that be pressing high to create quick attacks or pinging the ball from one side of the field to the other. The USWNT looked comfortable, and in rare moments where South Korea created attacking moments, they defended well and were organized in moments that would have been a panic-inducing time under other coaches.

Emma Hayes was very thankful after her first match in charge. She mentioned building blocks being there, but more work needed to be done. This is a bold but needed statement after her team dominated a game to a 4-0 win. You can just tell that Hayes is a winner looking to return the USWNT to the precipice of World Football!

“You can see we’re building something. There’s lots of work to do. There’s lots of holes in our play, no question, but it was a good start.”
USWNT Head Coach, Emma Hayes

You could tell the players took that to heart in the second match and played with even more intensity. They defended well as South Korea tried to play an open game. This allowed the USWNT to press high when South Korea was on the ball. This tactic played out well sparking many chances and goals. The USA was also able to play keep away once already being up a goal, tiring out their opponent and finding ways to attack their most vulnerable places. When all was said and done match two ended 3-0, and made a quote after the first match echo out.

“I get to enjoy these amazing players. I just feel re-energized and I want to coach this group and they want to be coached.”
USWNT Head Coach, Emma Hayes

3 takeaways from these two USWNT matches

1.) A reinvigorated USWNT

The USWNT went from being seen as the alpha, above all else, to a team falling hard from the summit. Other nations are rising up and the USA was on the decline. It looked like a new era of Women’s Football was on the horizon with Spain’s World Cup win. While the rest of the world is undoubtedly investing more in Women’s football and their women’s national teams, the USA hired Hayes to return to their alpha status.

The skill of this team is undeniable. They just needed a leader willing to play to the player’s strengths and one who was there to be the figurehead to take the pressure away from the players. Hayes does this, and now the team is reinvigorated to show that they are the best.

2.) An impressively talented group with the right tactical mind to lead them

This USWNT is likely the deepest national team ever. At every position, two different players could be starters on any given matchday. Veterans like Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Crystal Dunn, and Alex Morgan are mainstays and the voices of this team who know what it means to win at the highest level. Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Jenna Nighswonger, and Naomi Girma seem to be the next group to take the reigns from the veterans under Hayes.

This grouping of players could be seen as the best player in their position, and yet there are even more players pushing to make a difference with this USWNT team. Jaedyn Shaw, Samantha Coffey, Korbin Albert, and Tierna Davidson headline these types of players. So too do Malory Swanson and Catarina Macario, who are coming off of injury, and 16-year-old Lily Yohannes who scored on her debut this past week. Hayes is the right mind to lead this uberly talented team, now she just has to pick the right players at the right time to get the team the best chance to win!

3.) The Olympic roster will be solidified by July 3rd

22 players played over these two matches and not one looked like she put a foot wrong. The margins are razor-thin these days as the USWNT is preparing to select just 18 players to come to the Paris Olympic Games in July. That means four of these 22 players could be on the outside looking in, and there could be players who did not make these friendlies that get called up still.

Hayes has a tough job on her hands finding the players who will represent the USA. Luckily, there is no age cap like there is for the Men’s side. Who will make the roster, and who will not will likely be very difficult choices. Hayes needs to be ultra-critical ahead of her first chance to lead the USWNT in a major tournament!