U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes has offered her support to embattled midfielder Korbin Albert after naming the 20-year-old to her Olympic roster.
Albert was forced to apologize in March after fans discovered her TikTok account had either shared or reposted a host of anti-LGBTQ+ content.
USWNT co-captains Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan made a joint statement rebuking Albert in April, saying they were “extremely sad” to see the team’s standards of inclusivity not upheld.
Though Albert has continued to be called out by USWNT players past and present, she has remained a major part of the team, taking part in all 10 of its games so far in 2024.
Hayes spoke to the media on Wednesday after revealing her 18-player squad for the Olympics, saying that Albert deserved to be on the roster due to her quality and versatility.
“First of all, we know Korbin making the team is on merit in terms of what she offers for us in the midfield positions,” the coach said. “I think she’s demonstrated in the Gold Cup that she can play a lot of games in quick succession. She’s got the ability to play all three midfield positions, though probably a No. 8 is her best position.”
Turning to the firestorm around Albert’s social media activity, Hayes added that “there’s been a lot of work that’s been going on in the background” in demonstrating the harm that the young player’s posts could cause.
“Korbin has had to learn,” Hayes said. “She’s a young person who’s understood fully the implications of her social media activity.
“The conversations we have had have been to talk about the importance of what we have to be mindful of, and how we are all part of an environment that’s one that appreciates and understands the damage that can do.”
Hayes admitted that Albert had been negatively affected by the controversy as well as fans booing her at home games — though she made sure to add that the criticism around her was warranted.
“She has been a delight to coach,” Hayes said. “I think she’s had a really, really tough time. She’s really struggled. And I think some of that has shown in her performances.
“She’s a young person having to deal with a lot of criticism — rightfully so. She can hear the noise in the stadium and that’s affected her.”
Hayes was still coaching Chelsea when the controversy erupted around Albert, but closed by saying that she’s had a hugely positive experience working with her since arriving earlier this month.
“I can say firsthand that having spent limited time with Korbin, she really is a lovely person and someone who really values the most important things, and that she’s spending time working on herself as we all do,” Hayes said.
“I look forward to building on that with her, and I want everybody to know that my job is to make sure I keep doing that. I want the fans to really embrace Korbin because I think she’s a tremendous human being.”
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