Can Emma Hayes save the USWNT? Olympic debut against Zambia will be big test

The United States Women's National Soccer Team, with a rich history of achievement and glory, enters the Paris 2024 Olympics with a clear mission: to restore their reputation and reaffirm their supremacy. With four Olympic gold medals and an enviable CV, the Americans have always been synonymous with excellence in women's soccer. However, in recent years, the brilliance of this constellation has begun to dim.

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Since winning the 2019 World Cup, the US team has gone through ups and downs that have left fans and critics worried. The bronze medal in Tokyo 2020 and the surprising elimination in the round of 16 at the 2023 World Cup were hard blows for a team used to the top of the podium. Now, under Emma Hayes, the hope is for a revival.

Emma Hayes, a coach with an impressive track record at Chelsea, has arrived with the mission of reversing the negative tide and leading the team back to its rightful place. For Hayes, the road to redemption begins with focus and respect for the opposition. “We have to think game by game, starting with Zambia. Anything else would be disrespectful to our opponents,” she said, stressing the importance of each match.

The opener against Zambia at the Stade de Nice is a stern test. Although Zambia is a team on the rise, with recent appearances in international tournaments, it is seen as an opponent that the Americans must overcome. However, underestimating the opponent could be a fatal mistake, something Hayes is determined to avoid. “It has to be earned, nothing is guaranteed. Any opponent can win on any given day,” says the coach, noting that in soccer, surprises are always possible.

The Americans' recent history in Europe isn't the most encouraging either. With an irregular performance in friendlies and the defeat to Sweden at the last Olympics still fresh in the memory, the pressure is on. But Hayes believes his team is ready. “We're focused on creating new history together. Our motivation is to play for the USA and compete for the USA,” he says, showing confidence in his team's ability to overcome the challenges.

The atmosphere in Marseille, where the team is preparing, has been positive. Hayes mentions a week of intense and productive training, with the team adapting well to the climate and local conditions. “We had a really good training session, some of the details we worked on really showed up,” said the coach.

The key to victory, according to Hayes, lies in maintaining focus and controlling what is controllable. “We're where we should be considering all the circumstances. Our focus is on how to beat Zambia - nothing else,” she concludes, showing that the team is completely focused on the mission.

With a combination of experience, talent and determined leadership, the Americans have all the ingredients to write a new chapter of success. The match against Zambia will only be the start of that journey. It remains to be seen whether the team can turn the pressure and expectations into motivation for a successful campaign. The 2024 Olympics are a golden opportunity for the US women's national team to put the ghosts of the recent past behind them and shine once again on the world's biggest sporting stage.