Tag: Emma Hayes

USWNT coach Hayes brings Horan to tears after gold medal win

The coach was full of praise for her captain after Saturday’s gold medal game

Emma Hayes clearly has an effect on her players.

If that couldn’t be seen by the coach leading the U.S. women’s national team to a gold medal in just her 10th game in charge, it was clearly demonstrated after the game.

Hayes and her captain Lindsey Horan faced the media following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Brazil in the gold medal game. Mallory Swanson’s goal in the second half settled a tense game, giving the USWNT its fifth gold medal and first since 2012.

Horan started every game of the Olympics, playing nearly every minute, but faced some criticism over her performances in France. Perhaps sensing this, Hayes interrupted her post-game press conference to deliver some words of praise for the midfielder.

“I should actually say something that I think is really important,” Hayes began. “This leader beside me, you don’t see all the work she does off the pitch. You don’t see all the conversations she has, whether it’s helping nurture a young player, or whether it’s to settle nerves or to remind people of their confidence or to push back on the things that matter most. She has put performance first, she has put winning first.

“And yes, we are at an Olympics but not at any point on our days off did we do unnecessary things, or do things that put the team’s performance in jeopardy. She took hard decisions with the players. And I really admire that in her.

“I can see not only why she’s the leader of this team, but she made my job so much easier because she was firm with everyone, but also very fair. I’m delighted for Lindsey because she deserves that, and doesn’t always get the credit she deserves and it’s been an honor for me to work with her.”

Sitting next to her coach, Horan was moved to tears.

“Don’t ask me any more questions!” the midfielder said with a laugh.

Watch Hayes move Horan to tears

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USWNT coach Emma Hayes delivered a powerful postgame interview after her team took the Paris Olympics gold medal match

This is pretty powerful.

United States women’s national team coach Emma Hayes won her first gold medal with her squad on Saturday as the Americans defeated Brazil in the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal match.

Hayes only joined the program this summer as its head soccer coach after being hired last fall, and she’s already led the team to its first Olympic gold medals since 2012.

While speaking with NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico after the victory, an emotional Hayes discussed why winning the gold meant so much to her.

“I love America. It made me,” Hayes said in the very powerful interview.

The USWNT looks to be in very capable hands with Hayes in the years to come, as winning Olympic gold is a heck of a way to start her tenure.

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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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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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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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USWNT’s Davidson and Shaw ruled out for Olympic group finale vs. Australia

The duo will both not recover in time from their injuries

The U.S. women’s national team will have to do without Tierna Davidson and Jaedyn Shaw for Wednesday’s Olympic group finale against Australia.

Davidson was forced out of the team’s 4-1 win over Germany on Sunday, coming off in the first half after a knee-to-knee collision with Jule Brand.

The Gotham FC defender was replaced by her club teammate Emily Sonnett, who slotted into central defense alongside Naomi Girma.

On Tuesday, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes told the media Davidson would not recover in time for Wednesday’s match against the Matildas.

“She got a contusion because she got hit in her leg,” Hayes said. “Knee-on-knee situations can create a bit of swelling so that swelling will keep her out of this game.”

Hayes did not indicate who would replace Davidson, but Emily Sams is the only defensive option of the four alternates.

On Wednesday, U.S. Soccer confirmed it would indeed be Sams who replaced Davidson on the gameday squad.

The coach also ruled out Shaw for a third straight match. The San Diego Wave star suffered a “leg injury” in training the day before the team’s Olympic opener against Zambia.

The 19-year-old was replaced on the gameday squad by alternate Croix Bethune, who has yet to see any playing time at the Olympics.

The USWNT has already clinched a berth in the knockout stage with consecutive wins over Zambia and Germany, and can lock up first place in Group B with a win or draw against Australia.

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Hayes: ‘Sole focus’ on getting Lavelle right for Zambia game

The playmaker’s status for the USWNT’s Olympics opener appears to be in the air

U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes has said her “sole focus” is on ensuring Rose Lavelle is fit to face Zambia in Thursday’s Olympic opener.

Lavelle was named in the starting lineup for last week’s Olympic send-off friendly against Costa Rica, but was a late scratch after dealing with tightness in her groin.

The NJ/NY Gotham FC star has been in excellent form and her ability as an attacking midfielder is crucial for the USWNT — especially after Catarina Macario was forced out of the Olympics with a knee injury.

On Tuesday, two days ahead of the team’s Olympic opener, Hayes told the media that “everybody’s available for selection as of today” for the match against Zambia.

But the coach also indicated that the fitness of Lavelle isn’t a sure thing.

“My only focus is on winning the first game,” Hayes said. “It’s always a mistake when you think or talk in any other way. You have to win the first game. You then have to compete to win the second, you then have to win the group and only then can you be in a position to discuss anything else. For me, our sole focus is on getting Rose right for the Zambia game.”

Should Lavelle be unable to face Zambia, Hayes could take advantage of a new roster rule to replace the 29-year-old.

This Olympics, roster alternates are able to replace injured players on a game-by-game basis. That means Hayes could replace Lavelle on the roster for Zambia, and then bring Lavelle back for the team’s second game if she’s fit.

If Hayes opts to replace Lavelle with one of her four alternates, Washington Spirit rookie star Croix Bethune appears to be the most likely option as a like-for-like change. The other two non-goalkeeper alternates are defender Emily Sams and midfielder Hal Hershfelt.

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