U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes knows what kind of challenge her side will face in Zambia striker Barbra Banda.
Banda has taken the NWSL by storm in her first season in the league, as the Orlando Pride star is currently tied for the league’s Golden Boot lead with 12 goals in just 12 games.
The Pride, who finished outside of the playoffs last season, are currently unbeaten and atop the league table with 11 wins and five draws in 16 games.
The NWSL will now go on hiatus with the Olympics coming up, with the USWNT set to open the tournament with a match against Banda’s Zambia side on July 25.
Speaking to ex-USWNT star Sam Mewis on stage for an interview with The Women’s Game on Monday, Hayes said Banda is the best striker in the world right now — making sure to add that last caveat in deference to her former star player at Chelsea.
“Zambia on form probably have the best striker in the world right now, banging in the goals — I say on form because I never want Sammy Kerr to phone me up later and remind me, which she will I might add, no matter the hour,” Hayes said with a laugh.
“With Zambia, you have a team that will play less progressive passes, i.e. control the game in a certain way. But if you play man for man all over the pitch against them, it’s going to be a difficult game,” the coach added.
“Their ability to transition is better than any team I’ve seen in world football. We’ve been watching them, unbelievable their ability to go from back to front. So for us, structure becomes essential. That becomes the bedrock, what we do in possession and how we’re thinking about what happens when there is a turnover to be able to get those things right.”
Following the game against Zambia, the USWNT will close out group play with matches against Germany and Australia.
Hayes will be spared a meeting with Kerr in the group finale, as the Matildas striker was left off her country’s Olympic roster due to a torn ACL.
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