With a big-name coach arriving just weeks before the upcoming Olympics, the U.S. women’s national team has never prepared for a major tournament like this.
However, USWNT players report that new manager Emma Hayes has arrived with a plan in place. The onboarding period has been much more of a sprint than a jog, but despite that, the early returns are positive.
Speaking in a mixed zone at Audi Field on Monday, one day before the USWNT faces Costa Rica in what is forecast to be oppressive heat, multiple players discussed the challenge of trying to hit a gold medal-winning level so early in Hayes’ tenure.
“I don’t even know the time [that has gone by], it’s been quick,” defender Casey Krueger said with a mock sigh. “I think [in June] we were able to cram a lot in in a short amount of time. It was a little bit mentally exhausting, but I think the group is just hungry to continue to learn and just absorb everything that she’s wanting.”
Emily Fox pointed out that taking on a lot of information in a short timespan is just part of the job for the USWNT.
“I think no matter what, we have a short amount of time together,” explained the Virginia native, who is getting a bit of a homecoming by playing this last pre-Olympic match in D.C. “Normally, we have like 10 days. So I think in a way we’re kind of used to having to implement a lot of stuff in a small amount of time.
“I think really, we’ve had more of just an emphasis on [moving quickly], on having the final product and really listening to information and executing it. I really think there’s not that much of a difference other than we’re just really focusing on it.”
Fox, whose season with Arsenal ended back in May, also played down the possibility that she and the team’s other European-based players Korbin Albert and Lindsey Horan might be shedding some rust before the Paris games.
“Honestly, it hasn’t been that much time off,” said Fox. “Last camp, we had those games, and then I think for the most part, [I] had maybe 10 days off, and then we were back training.
“In terms of matches, it is a bigger break compared to all the girls that are in season, but in terms of training and just being in the momentum of things, I feel like it was great to have 10 days off to kind of get some rest after our [European] seasons.”
Emily Fox From America, born and raised in the DMV. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/th86PeVnog pic.twitter.com/TJRgsZjlk6
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 15, 2024
Trinity Rodman gave the credit to Hayes, saying that the English coach’s focus on “not dwelling on missed time” has paid dividends.
“I think she does a really good job of just building every day,” explained Rodman. “I think she’s always thinking in the present moment and what she can do.”
Rodman added that the team has gotten to know Hayes the person, and that those interactions are accelerating the team’s ability to take on the tactical and individual demands of this new USWNT era.
“We’re learning every day, we’re building our relationships, which has been good, and it’s come so naturally. We’re in a good place right now.”
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