The Emma Hayes effect: reborn USWNT look like Olympic contenders again

It took less than a minute after kickoff for the American fans in the stands in Marseille to begin chanting, “I believe we will win.” That in itself isn’t all that unusual — it’s one of the common rallying cries of those who worship the U.S. women’s national team — but there was a power to the chant on Wednesday night that had a valid, renewed, performance-based justification.

A year ago, on August 1, 2023, the U.S. slogged to a scoreless draw against a little-known Portugal in their final group match at the World Cup, fortunately advancing narrowly to the knockout stages with five points from three games. After three group games at these 2024 Olympics, in a group that theoretically features a higher caliber of opponent than 12 months ago, the U.S. has impressively won the group by a maximum of nine points under new head coach Emma Hayes. But more than that, they have won that group with a style of play that seems unrecognizable from that ill-fated tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

In the agonizing and ultimately nerve-wracking 0-0 draw with Portugal in 2023, it was the Portuguese who controlled the ball while the U.S. had just 43.8 percent of the possession. The contrast between that and Wednesday’s performance was as striking as the vast expanses of disappointingly empty seats in the upper echelons of Marseille’s Stade Velodrome. Hayes’ fingerprints are already all over the team. The U.S. had 71.7 percent of the possession in their 2-1 win over Australia, showing a fluidity on the ball that has been sorely lacking in the World Cup.

That dominance on the ball was partly down to Australia’s formation, of course, with the Matildas opting for a low defensive block, in a 5-2-3 formation without possession, which was never going to be easy for the US to break. But that’s something Hayes is used to, having regularly played weaker teams in England’s Women’s Super League. The cohesion between the US midfield and their front three will have encouraged the American staff that they have the quality to cut through rigid defensive lines – and they often do.

It certainly wasn’t perfect. Manchester City centre-back Alanna Kennedy – thrown forward by the Matildas as a makeshift striker for a last-ditch effort – could and probably should have levelled the score at 2-2 in second-half injury time. And there were times when the US looked stretched a little too easily. But Hayes’ team could easily have won by a wider margin; Lindsey Horan’s header hit the crossbar, before Sophia Smith was unlucky not to score when her deflected shot hit one post, bounced off the line and clipped the other.

Shortly after the final whistle, Eurosport’s television cameras, positioned near the Americans’ post-match huddle, caught some of what Hayes was saying to her players. The 47-year-old praised her players for showing “character” in sealing the injury-time victory under late pressure, but then added audibly: “There was a gulf between the two teams.” In terms of quality, there certainly was.

In taking their total goals this campaign to nine, the US have already scored more than twice as many as they did in their entire flawed 2023 World Cup campaign (four goals) having played fewer games. The dynamic front of Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson – with an average age of just 23.7 – will strike fear into the hearts of opponents. Smith created five chances and had eight attempts on goal, emblematic of a rejuvenated team.

While historically the most successful women’s international team, there were often reasons beyond tactical and technical prowess that explained the U.S.’s dominance at major awards in the past, such as their formidable winning mentality, their larger crop of world-class players, or their previously superior facilities and funding, as well as what often felt like a physical advantage. American teams of the past often seemed faster, stronger, and more athletic. Today, the women’s game has moved on. In Spain, the sport has world champions who are truly technically gifted throughout their teams, and a production line of skilled young talent waiting behind them to win every competition there is. Beating Spain at this Olympics or the 2027 World Cup would take something special.

Hayes’ new era will require more hard work, but early signs are that they are on to something good. Before any medals come, there is a tough quarterfinal against Japan, a team Hayes has long admired for their quality in possession. That matchup should provide an even better picture of the changes the U.S. is making.