Emma Hayes has the USWNT flying at the Paris Olympics, showcasing her exceptional coaching skills that have quickly revitalized the team. After being hired by U.S. Soccer from Chelsea last November, she has led the most decorated program in women’s soccer back to prominence in just seven matches.
In a remarkable turnaround, the Americans have emerged as the standout team at the ongoing Olympics, less than a year after their disappointing performance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The USWNT achieved an impressive 3-0 record in the Olympic group stage, which included a commanding 4-1 victory over Germany, currently ranked fourth by FIFA. This success is particularly noteworthy given that the U.S. team, which had consistently ranked in the top two since the inception of the rankings, now finds itself in fifth place.
The upcoming challenges for Hayes and her dynamic young squad are significant, with star forwards Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson leading the charge. The U.S. is set to face Japan in the quarterfinals, a rematch of the 2012 gold medal match, which was the last of their four Olympic victories.
A podium finish is the minimum expectation for the USWNT at these Games, despite Hayes having limited time to familiarize herself with her roster since taking over in May after Chelsea’s season concluded.
Hayes’ swift success at the international level should not come as a surprise. The 47-year-old coach possesses a remarkable talent for maximizing her teams’ potential, a skill honed during her early coaching years.
Before achieving seven consecutive FA Women’s Super League titles with Chelsea, Hayes was a young coach in the U.S., pursuing her dream. She arrived in the early 2000s, eventually landing a position with the semipro Long Island Lady Riders. Her pivotal moment came in 2003 when she secured the head coaching role at Iona College, a small NCAA Division 1 institution just north of New York City.
Iona was not an obvious choice for a future USWNT coach. The Gaels had struggled, winning only four out of 34 matches over the previous two seasons. With limited funding and no scholarships to offer, the school could not even compensate Hayes during most of her first year due to visa issues.
Reflecting on those formative years, Hayes stated, “I learned a lot about how to build a program with a limited budget.” She focused on recruiting players who fit her vision, primarily from the competitive landscapes of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Results soon followed. Under her leadership, Iona won nine games in her second season and ten in her final year, achieving a .667 win percentage, the highest in the school’s history.
“Making our conference championship was like gold for that team,” Hayes remarked, emphasizing the significance of their achievements.
This success was largely due to the positive environment Hayes cultivated.
“She was probably the best college coach I’ve ever been around,” said Patrick Lyons, Iona’s former athletic director. “You want coaches that can win, but you also want great culture people. That’s what she was.”
Lyons noted that players were naturally drawn to Hayes, recognizing her unique ability to connect with them. “What she did with Iona, I knew she wasn’t going to stick around long,” he added.
Hayes returned to England in 2006 to serve as an assistant coach for Arsenal and later took the helm of the Chicago Red Stars before achieving legendary status with Chelsea. Yet, her experiences at Iona remain pivotal in her coaching philosophy.
“That group from 2003 is one of my favorite teams I’ve ever coached, and I’m still in touch with lots of them,” she shared. “Iona meant a lot to me. It shaped me as a coach about how to be invested in players holistically to get the best out of them.”
Today, she is harnessing that same energy with a restructured U.S. team. Many were uncertain about the Americans’ prospects this summer, given the significant roster changes following the retirement of key veterans like Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe after their early exit from the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Even Alex Morgan, a standout from previous World Cup-winning squads, was left off the Olympic roster.
Despite a dominant performance in the group stage, the U.S. may not be the strongest team in France, with top-ranked Spain holding the title of reigning world champions. Even after the Americans’ impressive victory over Germany, Spain remains the favorite for gold.
Yet, something remarkable is unfolding with Hayes’ USWNT. The team is embracing both its new coach and its unexpected status as a dark horse this summer.
“I say to people all the time: I haven’t always had the best players,” Hayes noted. “Getting the most out of people is something I’ve always prided myself on. The qualities people have, you always want to find their strengths and make them super strengths.”
The early results speak for themselves.
