Categories: Sports

USWNT takes on South Korea for Emma Hayes’ first match as manager!

The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) has come together for a camp to get a good idea of who will make the roster for the Paris 2024 Olympic games. However, the eyes of the nation are currently looking off the pitch, at the manager. Emma Hayes has officially taken over the reins of the USWNT, with this being her first time at the helm of a national team. The USA will take on South Korea twice in four days during this international window of games.

United States national women’s soccer team head coach Emma Hayes talks with reporters at a news conference before a practice to prepare for a friendly match against South Korea, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Emma Hayes USWNT Era Begins Now

Emma Hayes was hired by US Soccer to be the next coach of the USWNT back in November but finished out her contract with her former club, Chelsea FC. Hayes helped Chelsea win their fifth Women’s Super League title in a row and seventh overall under her tutelage, just weeks ago, and is now ready to begin her Era as USWNT coach. While Hayes was not with the USWNT for the past six months she had Assistant Twila Kilgore lay the groundwork for the team winning seven matches, drawing two (but then winning on PKs), and losing just once.

The USWNT failed to perform to their standards at last summer’s Women’s World Cup crashing out in the first round of the knockouts. It was a huge failure and one that prompted US Soccer to go out and get Hayes. She is tasked with bringing this team back to the glory of being the gold standard of women’s Football. Hayes said as much in her press conference ahead of the upcoming South Korea doubleheader.

“This team is desperate to improve, and it’s focused on the performances and the processes to do just that.”
USWNT manager, Emma Hayes

The improvement under Hayes will likely be swift as she is seen as one of the best tactical minds in the game and has a pedigree of winning; something the USWNT has as well. The two coming together should be a match made in heaving, but we will need to see it to believe it! The USWNT is currently undergoing a new wave of players coming up to meet a veteran core that was the youngsters when the USA last won a Women’s World Cup back in 2019. With Hayes in charge, the team should foster a new era of success with a real vision moving forward.

United States national women’s soccer team player Lindsey Horan talks to reporters before a practice to prepare for a friendly match against South Korea, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

What to expect from the USWNT under Hayes?

Winning. Emma Hayes coached Chelsea’s women’s team from August 2012 to May 2024; over those nearly 12 years, she amassed a win percentage of 71.12%! She helped the club win 16 major trophies in those 12 years. This is not just a flashy hire, the USWNT went out and got a proven winner befitting of their station as the “top” team in the world.

The rest of the world is indeed catching up to the USWNT when it comes to women’s football programs. This was evident in the last World Cup; however, Hayes could propel the USA clear past the current World Cup holders, Spain, and the rest of the nations nipping at their heels. This mindset is something that Hayes wants to instill in the team, and she had Kilgore begin to lay this foundation over the last six months. Now Hayes is ready to run the show, starting immediately.

“My job this week is to fill the detail. Is there going to be a transition away from that? No, it’s being built upon that. I think there are lots of different things, but the differences are the details as opposed to major structural changes.”
USWNT manager, Emma Hayes

The USWNT has played the way Hayes wants to play for the last six months. This has resulted in winning the first-ever Women’s Concacaf Gold Cup, and yet another She Believes Cup. On the horizon is another major tournament, the Olympics. Hayes will have just four tune-up games before heading to Paris. She will be tasked with picking the best 18 players to go to Paris to win Gold. First up are two matches against South Korea over the next four days. Be sure to tune in to see who stands out on the pitch under Hayes’ exciting first matches in charge!

USWNT vs South Korea | Saturday, June 1 @ 5 pm EST | TNT/Peacock/Universo/MAX
USWNT vs South Korea | Tuesday, June 4 @ 8 pm EST | TruTV/Peacock/Universo/MAX

United States national women’s soccer team player Alex Morgan talks to reporters before a practice to prepare for a friendly match against South Korea, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)