Three takeaways from new USWNT coach Emma Hayes' first games

New U.S. Women's National Team coach Emma Hayes faces the massive challenge of rebuilding the team following its disappointing exit from the 2023 World Cup and the retirement of legend Megan Rapinoe.

Before this summer's Paris Olympics (July 26 to Aug. 11), Hayes and the USWNT scheduled two friendlies against South Korea to build fitness and test its mettle.

These matches offered Hayes, who's from England, a chance to imprint her identity on the USWNT. Both games went splendidly for the Americans, who won by a combined score of 7-0.

The U.S. looked fresher, faster and hungrier against South Korea than in last summer's World Cup, which saw the Americans ousted in the Round of 16.

Here are three takeaways on the USWNT in the early stages of Hayes' reign:

Hayes isn't afraid to leverage new players: Casual fans of the USWNT used to be able to name its starters in their sleep — Alyssa Naeher, Becky Sauerbrunn, Julie Ertz, Alex Morgan and Rapinoe always seemed to make the cut.

Hayes started her USWNT management era, playing surprising faces, including 16-year-old Lily Yohannes. The teen had never played a senior game for the USWNT, but Hayes trusted her to deliver, and she did: Yohannes scored in her debut match and looked primed to play a big role for a new-look USWNT.

Changes are afoot for existing stars: Crystal Dunn has been a fixture for the USWNT since its 2019 World Cup victory, making a name for herself as a hard-nosed defender.

Hayes seems to believe that she's capable of more. Against South Korea, she played Dunn on the right side of midfield, encouraging her to attack during moments of transition.

It worked, as Dunn made a perfectly timed run into the box and opened the scoring against South Korea in the second game.

Everyone is ready for something new: Coaching changes are difficult for players, who must adapt to a new leader's warm-ups, tactics, playing style and more. Hayes already seems to have impressed her players.

"We had information kind of overload throughout the week," said defender Tierna Davidson, per the Washington Post . "So we were excited to just see how it went throughout a game. You could tell people were really antsy to get on the field and be able to connect."

Hayes' early pitch to the team, according to forward Catarina Macario, is for them to be "fluid in their structured principles." That means absorbing Hayes' wisdom off the field but trusting their instincts on it.

"I just feel really energized and want to coach this group, and they want to be coached," Hayes said after the South Korea win . "You can see we're building something. There's lots of work to do. There's lots of holes in our play, no question, but it's a good start."

In July, the USWNT will face Mexico and Costa Rica. From there, it's off to the Paris Olympics, where the team hopes to win gold after winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.