Category: USWNT

Tearful USWNT coach Hayes after winning gold: ‘I love America, it made me’

The USWNT head coach was emotional after leading the team to a gold medal

An emotional Emma Hayes said she was “desperate” to win a gold medal for the United States, saying the country made her who she is today.

Hayes led the U.S. women’s national team to the gold medal on Saturday, as Mallory Swanson’s goal sealed a 1-0 victory over Brazil in the Olympic final.

The result was a massive achievement for Hayes, who was only coaching her 10th game for the USWNT. The London native finished out the 2023-24 campaign with Chelsea before taking over as U.S. head coach in late May.

After the game, Hayes was interviewed on NBC by host Mike Tirico, who asked how she masterminded such an impressive turnaround so quickly after taking over.

“Just love,” Hayes replied. “I come from a place of wanting players to enjoy themselves. I’ve been at a club for 12 years and I’ve had huge success but I was desperate to do well for this country. I’m so emotional because it’s not every day you win a gold medal.”

Tirico asked Hayes why she was desperate to do it for the United States.

“I love America,” Hayes replied. “It made me, and I always say that.”

Hayes began her coaching career in 2002 with the Long Island Lady Riders, before taking over as head coach of Iona University and then coaching the Chicago Red Stars, then of WPS.

She then returned to England, taking over Chelsea and leading the Blues to seven league titles during her 12 years in charge.

Watch Hayes’ post-game interview

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USWNT vs. Brazil Olympics lineup: Albert starts gold medal match over Lavelle

Emma Hayes made her first lineup change of the entire Olympics that didn’t involve a known injury or suspension

The U.S. women’s national team made one change to its lineup for Saturday’s 2024 Olympic gold medal final against Brazil, and it wasn’t a move many saw coming.

Head coach Emma Hayes selected Korbin Albert to start in the midfield over Rose Lavelle, but otherwise made no alterations to the group that defeated Germany 1-0 in the semifinal round.

That meant a place in the team for the only USWNT injury doubt, Tierna Davidson. The Gotham FC defender sustained a knee contusion in the group stage, but recovered to play the first 45 minutes of Tuesday’s win.

Only 13 players have started for the USWNT during this tournament, and both previous changes were enforced. Emily Sonnett replaced Davidson while the latter was out with injury, while Albert started a 1-0 quarterfinal win over Japan with Sam Coffey suspended for yellow-card accumulation.

Should Naomi Girma and Alyssa Naeher play the full 90 or 120 minutes in the final, they will have played every second of this Olympic tournament.

USWNT lineup vs. Brazil

USA (4-3-3): Alyssa Naeher; Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn; Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan; Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson

Brazil (5-4-1): Lorena; Jheniffer, Lauren, Tarciane, Thais, Yasmim; Adriana, Vitoria Yaya, Duda Sampaio, Ludmila; Gabi Portilho

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USWNT coach Hayes calls for change to Olympics schedule

The U.S. is about to play its sixth game in just 17 days

Emma Hayes may be making her players “suffer” at the Olympics, but that doesn’t mean the U.S. women’s national team coach wants to keep it that way.

Hayes has led the USWNT to Saturday’s gold medal match against Brazil, keeping her subs to a minimum amid a grueling Olympic schedule.

The match in Paris will be the USWNT’s sixth game in 17 days at the Olympics. Amid a competition that only allows 18-player rosters, limiting teams to two rest days between games creates a tournament that is challenging to player welfare.

Ahead of the gold medal match, Hayes called on organizers to reconsider the tournament’s format ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“I think long-term potentially they (should) look at that calendar and considering there are Olympic games in LA in a few years’ time, to maybe adapt that schedule or think about that and give more time. Player welfare should always come first,” Hayes said at Friday’s pre-game press conference.

USWNT captain Lindsey Horan also spoke about the uniquely difficult nature of Olympic soccer.

“This tournament is such a unique, unique experience. You don’t know it unless you’re in it. And the cadence of a game every two days is really difficult. And, you know, we’ve played a lot of minutes and I think it’s the mentality. It’s that mental strength, but you’re suffering,” said Horan.

Hayes has barely rotated her lineup throughout the Olympics, and has made just one substitutions before the end of regulation in both of her team’s extra-time knockout games.

“I could see today that players were having to dig to the deepest place within them,” Hayes said after the match against Germany.

“I’ve said this all along — the reason I want to play the team together for as long as possible is because I want them to develop that. I want them to suffer. I want them to have that moment because I do not believe you can win without it.”

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Sauerbrunn on USWNT: That chapter of my career is over

The longtime captain has earned 219 caps and won two World Cups

One of the all-time greats for the U.S. women’s national team believes her international career has come to an end.

Longtime USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn has said that she is closing the book on a storied national team career that has seen her earn 219 caps and win two World Cups.

Sauerbrunn missed the 2023 World Cup due to injury and has made three USWNT appearances after the tournament last summer, most recently starting in the team’s shock 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the W Gold Cup in February.

Though the 39-year-old continues to be a regular for the Portland Thorns, she hasn’t been called in since the Gold Cup. That has left her with the conclusion that she has likely played her final game for the USWNT — save for any potential testimonial game.

“I think that chapter of my career is over, so I think I’ve also been working through all of those emotions as well,” Sauerbrunn said in an appearance on “Good Game with Sarah Spain” from iHeartPodcast.

The center back has been watching closely as the USWNT has reached Saturday’s gold medal game at the Olympics. Though it’s been difficult to not be on the team, Sauerbrunn said she’s leaned on other players — like the retired Sam Mewis — who were unable to be in France with the team.

“Obviously I gave it a go and I just didn’t make the team,” Sauerbrunn said. “So watching it this go-round was kind of a new experience, but it’s been great because I’ve leaned on other players like Sammy here. Watching the games together, I don’t feel so alone.

“When you aren’t there, you just really do feel kind of isolated. And so having someone there to talk through emotions and things like that has been really great.

“And I so quickly flipped to being a fangirl. It was kind of alarming. It happened at the 2023 World Cup as well. I was injured for that roster, and I was worried about how I was gonna do, and I quickly was just like, ‘Oh, I am the USA’s number one fan.'”

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USWNT stars Rodman, Smith on Marta: ‘Love her, but we want to win’

Rodman and Smith agree that the six-time World Player of the Year “would want us to give her our best game”

The U.S. women’s national team’s attacking stars are among the many admirers Brazilian legend Marta has accumulated over the years.

Just don’t expect Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith to hold back in Saturday’s gold medal match.

The USWNT and Brazil will face off in the final of the 2024 Olympics women’s soccer competition. By itself, that would be an event of massive significance, but the game will be spiced up further by the fact that Marta has said she will retire from international play following the Paris Games.

That effectively leaves a USWNT side full of Marta fans having to choose between going all out to win, or letting the six-time FIFA World Player of the Year end her national team career with Brazil’s first-ever win at a World Cup or Olympics.

Per Rodman, the ‘conundrum’ has a clear answer.

“We want that gold, so I’m not gonna say too much on that,” said the Washington Spirit forward with a laugh. “Love her, but we want to win.”

“I know she would want us to give her our best game,” added Smith, whose goal sent the USWNT past Germany in a tense semifinal. “That’s the highest level of respect you can give someone.”

It is something of a surprise that the USWNT will be the final opponent in Marta’s incredible career with Brazil. A first-half red card for a dangerously high kick in a 2-0 group-stage loss to Spain resulted in a red card for Marta, who was suspended for As Canarinhas‘ quarterfinal and semifinal matches.

Brazil’s younger generation extended the legend’s national team career for one more game, seeing off France 1-0 in the last-eight before shocking World Cup champions Spain in a wild 4-2 semifinal.

After removing the mystery over whether the USWNT would drop its ruthless streak just this once, both players made their admiration for the Orlando Pride icon clear.

“Marta’s for sure like, the player I looked up to growing up. Whenever I would watch highlights of players with my dad, it was always Marta,” explained Smith.

“We get to play against her in the NWSL, which we’re really lucky for that, and to play against her in this magnitude of the game, I think is so special.”

USWNT stars: Marta ‘changed the game’

Rodman declared the 38-year-old Brazil captain “a legacy forever,” before adding that women’s soccer worldwide can be seen from a pre-Marta and post-Marta lens.

“It goes without saying: Marta has changed the game of soccer around the world,” stated Rodman. “She’s such a talented soccer player, but also a great human, which speaks volumes. I’ve always looked up to her, I think we all kind of do.”

Smith agreed, saying that players like she and Rodman “wouldn’t be here probably without a Marta, who did change the game forever, and is continuing to change the game.

“I don’t think words can really describe how grateful we are for a player like Marta to just advocate for young players like us.”

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USWNT defender Fox injured in Olympic quarterfinal win vs. Japan

The right back looks to be in serious doubt for the team’s semifinal on Tuesday

The U.S. women’s national team defeated Japan 1-0 in a dramatic Olympic quarterfinal on Saturday, but it may have also suffered a significant loss.

Defender Emily Fox was forced out late in extra time with an apparent knee injury, making contact with Japan’s Riko Ueki as she was attempting a shot off a corner kick.

Trainers attended to Fox before she slowly limped off the field, seeming to put her availability for the team’s semifinal in serious doubt.

Casey Krueger entered the game with just minutes remaining, and the outside back would appear to be the likely option to start the USWNT’s semifinal match if Fox is unable to go.

Losing Fox would be as serious blow for the USWNT, as the Arsenal right back has become a fixture in the team’s lineup over the past two years. The 26-year-old has started all four of the team’s Olympics matches so far.

Her absence could also mean the USWNT will be without two of its starting four defenders in the semifinal. Tierna Davidson suffered a knee contusion against Germany, and has missed both of the team’s subsequent games.

Head coach Emma Hayes did indicate prior to the game against Japan that Davidson would be a close call. Ultimately, the Gotham FC defender was unable to pass a late fitness test.

Fox and Davidson will have quick turnarounds for a potential recovery, as the USWNT’s semifinal is set for Tuesday in Lyon.

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Hayes: Shaw and Davidson game-time decisions for USWNT Olympic quarterfinal

The U.S. duo are both aiming to recover from injuries

U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes will wait until the last minute to determine the status of Tierna Davidson and Jaedyn Shaw for Saturday’s Olympic quarterfinal against Japan.

Davidson was forced out of the team’s 4-1 win over Germany after suffering a knee contusion, and missed the team’s group-stage finale against Australia.

Meanwhile, Shaw suffered a “leg injury” in training the day before the team’s Olympic opener against Zambia, and has missed all three of the team’s games thus far.

On Friday, Hayes was unable to make a determination on either player, telling reporters that she would make a late decision on the pair.

“There’s not a big turnaround. I’m going to leave it for as long as possible,” Hayes said in quotes on The Athletic. “I’ve got another 24 hours, so the injury update is touch and go, but I’m gonna give it the maximum amount of time to see if either one of them are available.”

Davidson is suffering from swelling after a knee-on-knee collision with Germany’s Jule Brand.

“She’s recovering really really well,” Hayes said on the center back. “It’s just, is there going to be enough time?”

In Davidson’s absence, Emily Sonnett has been filling in at center back alongside Naomi Girma.

Shaw has been replaced on the gameday squad by Croix Bethune for all three of the team’s matches in France thus far. The Washington Spirit rookie made her Olympic debut in the second half of the USWNT’s 2-1 win over Australia.

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Press returns for Angel City after more than two years out

After four surgeries, the longtime USWNT star is finally back

At long last, Christen Press is back on the field.

The forward entered Thursday’s match against the San Diego Wave in the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup, making her first appearance since tearing her ACL in June 2022.

Press subbed on in the 89th minute, replacing Katie Johnson up front. The Paramount+ broadcast team noted that Angel City coach Becki Tweed told them in a pre-match interview that Press could be expected to play no more than 10 minutes.

The match would finish in a scoreless draw, with ACFC claiming two points by winning the penalty-kick tiebreaker 5-3. Press would convert a penalty in the shootout, tucking away Angel City’s second spot kick.

The result was enough for Angel City to clinch the top spot in Group B, with the LA-based club securing a place in Tuesday’s Summer Cup semifinal doubleheader in Kansas City.

Press’ injury was followed by a number of setbacks, as the 35-year-old revealed last summer that she was forced to undergo a fourth surgery on the issue.

Press returned to training with Angel City in June, and came on Thursday at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Calif. in a major milestone.

Press played in eight games with Angel City in 2022, the club’s inaugural season, scoring two goals before suffering her knee injury.

The forward most recently played for the U.S. women’s national team at the Olympics in 2021. Overall, Press has has made 155 appearances for the USWNT and is ninth all-time in program history with 64 goals scored.

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Hayes doing ‘fantastic job tactically and mentally,’ Lloyd gushes

The USWNT legend was full of praise for the new head coach

It’s still early in the Emma Hayes era, but Carli Lloyd clearly likes what she sees so far.

Hayes led the U.S. women’s national team to a 2-1 win over Australia on Wednesday, completing a perfect Olympic group stage that saw the team secure wins over Zambia, Germany and the Matildas by a combined score of 9-2.

It’s been a refreshing return to form for the USWNT, which struggled at the World Cup last summer en route to a program-worst last-16 elimination.

Hayes only took over as U.S. head coach in May, but has already stamped her authority on the team — particularly in a signature 4-1 win over world power Germany that was undoubtedly the team’s best major-tournament result since the 2019 World Cup.

Lloyd, who was part of that World Cup-winning side in addition to the 2015 champions, was full of praise for the team’s new boss in a post on X.

“It’s refreshing to see this group playing well! Emma doing a fantastic job tactically and mentally,” Lloyd said.

“Emma’s demeanor is calm and confident and that’s contagious. She believes in these players and they feel that. Players are confident and hungry again and no player is bigger than the team.”

The USWNT is now set for a major test in the quarterfinal, with Japan awaiting in a Saturday showdown in Paris.

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Albert: USWNT coach Hayes has offered ‘tough love’ since anti-LGBTQ+ social media controversy

Albert’s impressive strike came even as questions remain over her place in the USWNT Olympic squad

The U.S. women’s national team’s 2-1 win over Australia caught the eye for many reasons, not least of which was an impressive goal from the team’s most scrutinized player.

The USWNT’s successful group-stage performance ended with a third straight win courtesy of a 77th-minute laser from midfielder Korbin Albert. That is to say, a player who has been under fire for four months over homophobic and transphobic social media posts is now making headlines for becoming a USWNT goalscorer in a major tournament.

In post-game quotes published by ESPN and the Washington Post, Albert admitted that USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has adopted a “tough love” approach since deciding to stick with the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder amid calls for her to be dropped.

“It’s tough love sometimes,” said Albert of Hayes. “It’s really nice just to have her here and teaching me and guiding me in every way, personally and on the soccer field.”

Albert didn’t directly discuss her social media posts or the aftermath, in keeping with statements from Hayes that the matter would remain internal.

Still, a substantial segment of the USWNT fanbase has criticized U.S. Soccer and Hayes for taking Albert to the Olympics despite the controversy. USWNT greats like Megan Rapinoe (whose career-ending injury was mocked in a post Albert liked on Instagram), Sam Mewis, and Christen Press, have been critical of the 20-year-old, and of the lack of public-facing information about what Albert is doing to repair the damage done.

Hayes: Albert ‘has had to do a fair bit of growing up’

In a post-game press conference, Hayes expanded on the matter, though the specifics of Albert’s attempts to progress towards more inclusive views remained an in-house secret.

“We all know she’s been through a lot with her actions and she’s someone who is truly sorry for what she’s done,” said Hayes. “She’s a really inclusive person and she’s really thoughtful and kind, and she has had to do a fair bit of growing up.

“I’m a mother and my instinct is to protect, and I’m never ever going to change that, but I don’t tolerate [Albert’s social media activity], and we want an environment where people can feel they can be [themselves].”

Albert may be in line for a bigger role in the USWNT’s upcoming Olympic quarterfinal against Japan. Defensive midfielder Sam Coffey will be suspended for Saturday’s knockout match due to yellow-card accumulation.

With Emily Sonnett possibly in line to continue at center back due to Tierna Davidson’s injury, Albert appears to be the most likely player to step into the midfield spot vacated by Coffey.

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