USWNT Year In Review: Emma Hayes leads USA to gold, but loses several star players.
This year marked a significant chapter for the U.S. women’s national soccer team. Following the Olympics, Emily Sonnett humorously remarked to Hayes that she might have set the bar too high at the start of her tenure. While that sentiment rings true given the team’s accomplishments, the players maintain a grounded outlook, viewing this as merely the beginning of a promising new cycle.
Rose Lavelle expressed optimism earlier this year, stating, “We’ve made such huge strides in such a short amount of time. I’m excited to see how we build on this. Fun times are ahead.”
With that optimism in mind, let’s explore how 2024 unfolded for the USWNT and what lies ahead in 2025 and beyond:
Emma Hayes Takes Charge
Emma Hayes officially assumed leadership of the USWNT just two months before the Olympic Games. Her initial training camp focused on building rapport with the players and instilling her coaching philosophy. She likened her role during this time to that of a “heart surgeon in the middle of emergency surgery.” Although the team wasn’t in crisis, the tight timeline made it challenging to both impart her strategies and prepare for the upcoming Games.
“But it’s a lovely hospital. The people are great, and the patients are behaving well, so overall, it’s a good start,” she added with a touch of humor.
USA Clinches Olympic Gold
The USWNT captured Olympic gold for the first time since 2012, triumphing over Brazil with a 1-0 victory, highlighted by a stunning goal from Mallory Swanson and critical saves from Alyssa Naeher.
The Paris Games also witnessed the emergence of the “Triple Espresso” trio. Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman collectively netted 10 out of the U.S.’s 12 goals and each contributed a game-winning goal during the knockout stages. Their performance, coupled with five assists, painted a bright picture of the U.S. attack’s future under Hayes. All three players were nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or Féminin.
Defensively, Naomi Girma anchored a robust backline, while Naeher solidified her legendary status in USWNT history. She became the first goalkeeper in women’s soccer to achieve clean sheets in both the World Cup (2019) and Olympic (2024) finals. Her remarkable saves, including a crucial one in the semifinal’s extra time, further showcased her skills.
Farewell to Superstars
In September, Alex Morgan surprised fans with a video announcement revealing her retirement and news of her second pregnancy.
Although Morgan’s retirement wasn’t entirely unexpected, it came swiftly. The 35-year-old forward announced her decision on a Thursday and played her final match for the San Diego Wave that Sunday. It was a poignant moment, but Morgan felt resolute in her choice, cementing her legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Nearly three months later, Naeher also announced her retirement from international play. The 36-year-old goalkeeper, whom Hayes regards as the “greatest goalkeeper this country’s ever had,” concluded her career on December 3 during a 2-1 win against the Netherlands. True to form, Naeher’s final match featured numerous impressive saves, as the Dutch team outshot the Americans 22 to 5.
Naeher’s departure poses a challenge for Hayes, as there is currently no clear successor for the role of starting goalkeeper. Initially, Casey Murphy seemed to be the frontrunner, having served as Naeher’s backup at the Olympics. However, Murphy was absent from the latest roster. Hayes opted to bring in newcomers Mandy Haught and Phallon Tullis-Joyce instead, indicating a desire to evaluate fresh talent. The competition for the goalkeeper position promises to be fierce over the coming years.
“There’s a big hole, but also a significant opportunity for anyone within that pool,” Hayes remarked. “We will likely need to spend time determining who our No. 1 will be over the next year, providing players with the experiences they currently lack.”
Expanding the Player Pool
Hayes has been actively broadening the player pool during her tenure, with 11 players earning their first caps since she took charge. This development is vital as the team prepares for the 2027 World Cup.
Following the USWNT’s final matches of the year against England and the Netherlands, Hayes addressed the importance of player evaluation:
“The moment you start chopping and changing the team, it becomes harder to implement your vision,” Hayes explained. “However, I want to see the players. I can’t just rely on experienced players to develop the connections and combinations now.”
“If I do that, I miss the chance to assess players like Ally Sentnor, Hal Hershfelt, Alyssa Thompson, or Yazmeen Ryan. I need to evaluate where they stand at this level to determine our core group as we head into the New Year and SheBelieves Cup. It’s my responsibility to consider the entire player pool.”
Eyes on 2027
After a well-deserved holiday break, the USWNT will regroup in January for a “Futures Camp” aimed at identifying emerging talent. This camp will coincide with the senior team’s training in Los Angeles, where Hayes and her staff will outline their strategy for 2027-28.
Hayes’ introduction to the team was expedited; she completed her season with Chelsea and immediately joined the USWNT camp, just eight weeks before the Olympics. With a successful yet challenging 2024 coming to a close, the squad has the opportunity to refocus before the next major tournament in 2027.
“It’s going to be two very important years to keep building and position ourselves for success in the World Cup,” Smith stated in October. “Setting small goals and growing as a team is key.”
“Emma, we won gold with her, but it’s still very new. We haven’t had much time together yet. The focus remains on developing into a team that can compete for the World Cup.”
FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience United States SheBelieves Cup