Upon her return to Minnesota one year after taking on the role of manager for the U.S. Women`s National Team, Emma Hayes was observed in the locker room corridors following a press conference. She generously dedicated time to converse with a young family, posing for photographs with their daughters. She was the one initiating playful questions with the young girls, channeling their excitement, before politely excusing herself after signing souvenir rally towels. This seemingly small interaction was indicative of the significant shift Emma Hayes`s appointment a year prior brought to U.S. Soccer. Unlike previous managers, she possesses a public profile that can stand alongside that of her star players.
The USWNT has long been a source of pride within American soccer, boasting a rich history of success, including four World Cups and five Olympic gold medals. The team consistently draws large crowds in stadiums worldwide. If the USWNT represents top-tier sports entertainment for American soccer enthusiasts, Hayes is undoubtedly one of its main attractions.
When Hayes secured her initial victories as the official head coach of the U.S. women`s national team in June 2024, expectations were immediately established. That pair of friendly matches against South Korea in Denver and Minneapolis last year marked just the beginning of the national team under her leadership.
Achievements On and Off the Field
Following a disappointing performance at the 2023 FIFA Women`s World Cup, U.S. Soccer appointed Hayes in November 2023, positioning her to be on the sidelines just weeks before the 2024 Olympic Games. The highly successful former Chelsea FC manager transitioned into the USWNT role as a six-time Women`s Super League champion and two-time UEFA Women`s Coach of the Year.
She arrived as a winning coach for a historically dominant national team. However, the squad she inherited was undergoing a period of transition. Former standout players had either retired or were in different stages of their careers. Despite these roster changes, the standard for the USWNT program has seldom wavered: win now and keep winning.
One year into her tenure, Hayes has not only met these expectations but has surpassed them. She has consistently advocated for process and patience since her arrival a year ago, yet still guided the team to Olympic gold in Paris after only 75 days in charge. She has successfully managed the dual objectives of revitalizing the roster and establishing foundational elements for future success while simultaneously achieving immediate wins.
“I think the biggest thing I`ve learned is that you`ve got to maximize the moments you have with the players,” Hayes stated, reflecting on her first year as USWNT manager.
“Because you have so few, and I`ve learned there`s multiple ways you can maximize that, and not just when you`ve only got 10-day camps and big chunks in between. Be innovative about how you can accelerate learning. I`ve always enjoyed innovating ways of doing that, but I definitely think maximizing the moments is the thing I`ve learned the most.”
Following the USWNT`s Olympic gold medal run, balancing some well-deserved downtime, Hayes quickly turned her attention to the 2027-28 cycle. She immediately outlined 2025 as the timeframe for expanding the player pool, planning `futures camps` to relaunch a previously inactive U-23 program that could develop alongside senior national team activities.
As part of her commitment to innovation, she developed `The WNT Way.` Its core principle begins with an emphasis on “placing the female lens at the heart of everything we do,” she told media in February during a virtual roundtable.
The overarching aim of Hayes`s WNT Way is to function as more than just a philosophy. Naturally, she aspires to compete for trophies, but she also harbors ambitions to re-center the entire WNT ecosystem. She highlighted that much of current soccer strategy is merely copied from men`s programs and applied to women.
Through the WNT Way, she seeks to shift perspectives and create lasting change and opportunities for women using a deeply focused 360-degree approach. It is as ambitious as she is. The intention is to positively influence players and environments via multiple channels and systems. While player-focused first, Hayes also desires a more sustainable future for women coaches, referees, and the scientific understanding and care of female athletes.
This project represents a significantly longer-term endeavor than simply coaching the world`s top-ranked team leading up to the next major international tournament. Perhaps a key aspect of her lasting influence has been her ability to extend her reach across multiple generations of players within a single year.
Expanding the Player Pool While Preserving USWNT Identity
In Hayes`s inaugural year as manager, 23 players received their first call-ups to national team camps. This includes Orlando Pride defender Kerry Abello and Kansas City Current midfielder Lo`eau LaBonta, who were the 22nd and 23rd players added during a recent summer window.
Nineteen players have made their official national team debuts during Hayes`s 22 matches on the sidelines. This represents more changes than the 18 implemented by her predecessor, Vlatko Andonovski, over his entire three-year tenure. She nearly set a record for the second-most debuts through her first 20 matches in charge with 17 new players. The historical record was established during the founding years of the women`s national team between 1986 and 1988.
Teenage prodigy, 17-year-old midfielder Lily Yohannes, is among the next-generation players to earn a spot in USWNT camps. Yohannes also made her senior debut under Hayes a year ago.
The young prospect has eight appearances and one goal and has been named to every camp roster in 2025. She has showcased her skills, and Hayes has been transparent about managing public expectations for Yohannes as she remains in the initial stages of her international career. This approach has fostered a less pressured environment for the teenager.
“I think Emma makes it really clear what she expects from me, and as well as for the team. Every camp, we just continue to build on that, and with every different opponent and different style of play, we try to adapt, and that`s just something that you try and to bring into your game and help the team,” Yohannes commented on Hayes`s coaching style.
Whether expanding the player pool, evaluating numerous prospects, or developing off-field strategies, Hayes has also dedicated extra effort to helping individuals grow. Regarding team leaders, Hayes has been open about her commitment to supporting their development, maintaining an open door for feedback. She has held leadership discussions with team captain Lindsey Horan, as well as Sam Coffey, Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Naomi Girma, and others.
Girma is now in her fourth year as a national team member, having established herself as a USWNT regular during her 2022 NWSL rookie and defender of the year season. No longer just a next-gen player, she is a key present-day figure. Girma sought advice from Hayes regarding her recent transfer to Chelsea FC. The 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year was appointed vice captain earlier this year.
“Obviously, there`s so much that you see on the pitch, and how we`re playing, and winning a gold medal, and all that. But I think probably even the bigger impact is what she`s doing behind the scenes,” Girma remarked on Hayes`s influence over the past year.
“Making sure that U.S. Soccer has a way of developing young players, making sure that they`re getting seen, making sure that they`re understanding how we want to play, and understanding our principles. I think that`s something that is going to help us in the next couple of years, but also in the next like five to 10 years, too.”
Horan has worn the captain`s armband since 2023, frequently facing questions about the squad`s experience level following the retirement of several former teammates and captains. She credits Hayes with her growth not only as a player but specifically as a leader within the team.
“I think it`s probably [on] more of my role as a captain. What she`s given me and the relationship I`ve had with her. I think it`s something that I haven`t really experienced,” Horan said, reflecting on Hayes`s impact in her first year.
“It`s just, it`s really crucial to have that kind of role as a captain and a head coach and to bounce things off of each other. But also trust. To go to her when things need to be said, and her, vice versa. So, I think that`s the feeling that I`ve gotten in the past year, and in the Olympics as well.”
Charting the Course Ahead
Beyond restoring the team to its top form after a less than stellar World Cup, Hayes has demonstrated her perfect suitability for the position, not merely to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games but to effectively reset the program moving forward. During her early interactions with the media a year ago, she declared, “We`ve got work to do,” and the English coach has been diligently working ever since.
“You don`t have [time]. You cannot waste a single session, a single opportunity, because you have so few at the international level. And surround yourself with amazing people,” Hayes shared about her most significant lessons from her first year as manager.
“I`m so blessed that, not just that leadership, but the people we are putting into positions across WNT and YNT, has made me more excited for a long, long time. Because we`re bringing so many different innovations into the women`s game, the girls` game. Anything from mental skill development to female health, menstrual cycle support, whatever it might be. So, so, excited about it.”
What Comes Next
As Hayes and her coaching staff approach the midway point of 2025, they will continue their preparations for the 2027-28 cycle with more matches and player evaluations.
Following two victories against China and Jamaica, the USWNT returned to winning ways after a 2-1 loss to Brazil in April. The national team is scheduled to host Ireland for two friendly matches, starting on June 26 in Commerce City, Colorado, followed by a game in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 29. Later in the summer window, they will face Canada on July 2.
More friendly matches for the remainder of the year are expected to be announced later. True to Hayes`s point, every moment will be important, and each minute will count. The team has approximately 17 months until World Cup qualifying competitions. The Concacaf W Championship, where the region`s top two ranked nations receive a direct bye, is set to commence in November 2026.
