Under new leadership, the U.S. women’s national soccer team is hoping to make a new legacy for themselves. For the past few years, the USWNT has struggled to achieve the success they found in previous generations, with teams like the ‘99ers capturing the nation’s — and the world’s — admiration and respect for breaking ground in the game and winning trophies.
However, with Andonovski as the head coach, the team suffered. The lineup wasn’t as good as it could’ve been, player selection was poor, and the coaching staff and players didn’t gel well together. Now, Emma Hayes has taken over from the Chelsea women’s team in the FA WSL in England to turn a new page in the USWNT’s book.
USWNT Starting New Legacy with Emma Hayes
Emma Hayes is one of the world’s most decorated coaches ever, in the men’s or women’s games. She is ready to take her team to the first tournament where she will be in charge — and it’s a big deal. The 2024 Paris Olympics kick off TODAY, with the USWNT hoping to ‘create history’.
The U.S. team did poorly in the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, getting knocked out early in the group stage much to everyone’s surprise. They were favorites to make it to the end of the tournament, but poor coaching, lack of substitutions, and no cohesiveness between the midfield and strikers meant very few goals were scored and the team performed at a sub-par level.
Now, with Hayes at the helm, the USWNT hopes to do much better in their next international tournament. Emma Hayes has stated that the loss has lit a fire under the team to do better than ever before.
This team is past that. I think this team is firmly focused on creating a new history together. Our motivation isn’t always about righting the wrongs, far from it. We’re excited. We’re prepared….The team is exactly where it needs to be at this stage. And for us it’s just so important we continue to focus on that process.
USWNT Record
The USWNT has performed poorly in the last few years, losing its top spot in the world to other well-deserving national teams who have performed better in international competition. In their last 12 games, however, they have turned it around to achieve an 8-1-3 record, with 27 goals for and seven goals against. The most decorated players on the team with the most minutes this past season include Crystal Dunn with 149 caps, Lindsey Horan with 150 caps, Rose Lavelle with 101 caps, and Alyssa Naeher with 106 caps.
However, one surprising omission was glaring on the Olympic roster. Alex Morgan, the phenomenon who broke onto the scene as a teenager and has amassed more than 224 games for the USWNT, was left off of the roster in favor of a younger squad. Is Emma Hayes right with her team selection? She has given chances to younger players, like Olvia Moultrie and Jaedyn Shaw, and left off veterans like Kelly O’Hara, Alex Morgan, and Megan Rapinoe who notably retired after the abysmal WC in Australia and NZ.
Only time will tell to see if she has made the right decision in terms of selection and preparation. We hope the USWNT can recapture the glory of its former years and excite the U.S. fans with breathtaking, energetic, and athletic-based soccer. The USWNT will face off against Zambia for their opening game of the 2024 Paris Olympics. African teams showed in the Women’s World Cup they are not to be taken lightly. Zambia and Nigeria, especially, had fantastic runs that outlasted the United States team in the huge competition. We can’t wait to tune in tonight and watch the game on TV.
For More Great Content
Total Apex is an all-encompassing content producer. We provide heavily detailed articles every day on entertainment, gaming, sports, and so much more! Check out all our great sports content at Total Apex Sports. Check us out on our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
