Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Smith says 'legend' Hayes has 'trust' of USWNT

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 28 May 2024 17:28

The directions called out by United States women's soccer coach Emma Hayes carried throughout the field as her team went through drills Tuesday in their first practice together.

It's a new voice. A new way. But same lofty standards. And it's coming from a new coach that has the implicit trust of her players before ever setting a lineup.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Hayes and the squad are trying to quickly get up to speed ahead of the Paris Games later this summer as they try to earn a fifth Olympic gold medal. After a couple of quick meetings, it was right to work Tuesday on the field at the University of Colorado, where the team gained a glimpse into the way their new coach prefers to play.

"It does take time, but I think everyone's focused and ready and excited for this new opportunity," said forward and Colorado native Mallory Swanson, whose team kicks off the Hayes' tenure on Saturday with a friendly against South Korea in Commerce City, Colorado. "With that comes everyone getting on the same page and learning together and growing together."

Named the U.S. coach in November, Hayes joined the squad in Colorado after finishing up her final season as coach of Chelsea with a fifth consecutive Women's Super League title.

No need for introductions. Her reputation precedes her.

"Anyone in the soccer world knows Emma Hayes," said forward Sophia Smith, who's also from Colorado. "She's a legend and her resume speaks for itself. We all just trust her. Obviously trust is something you build. What she's done for the game and for the sport, we all trust her and are excited about her. I'm sure we'll learn a lot in the next week. We already have learned a lot in the first few days."

One thing Hayes may soon learn about her squad is they carry a chip on their shoulder. Perhaps even more so after a disappointing finish in the Women's World Cup last year. The early exit led to coach Vlatko Andonovski resigning from the U.S. team. Twila Kilgore took over in the interim while Hayes finished the season with Chelsea, and will now serve as an assistant coach under Hayes.

"If a team going into the Olympics doesn't have a chip on their shoulder, there's a problem there," Smith said. "This team for so many years has set the standard, has been the best in the world, and that's what we want to continue on. We want to honor what this team has done before us, but we also want to set new standards and just be a different version of this team and be the best in the world."

After their match Saturday, the women's team will play another against South Korea on June 4 in St. Paul, Minnesota. These matches give Hayes an up-close look at players before she names the roster for the Olympics.

The U.S. women's team has captured four Olympic gold medals (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012), one silver (2000) and one bronze (Tokyo in 2021).

"The goal is to win a gold medal, but right now we have a new coach, we have a new system," Smith explained. "The main goal and priority is the process and just learning and adapting and growing and taking each day as a chance to get better and grow with this group.

"We aren't really results-focused right now. It's more process-focused. I think with that results will come. But right now it's just about getting the group together, getting the chemistry going and, yeah, preparing us for the Olympics, but for the future after that, too."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.

Read 123 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated