Trinity Rodman and fellow United States women's national team stars sang the praises of new head coach Emma Hayes ahead of the Olympics . Everyone from the squad who spoke with reporters this week seemed to agree on the qualities of Chelsea's former boss.
“I think she does a really good job of just building every day,” Rodman told reporters via Pro Soccer Wire . “I think she’s always thinking in the present moment and what she can do.
“We’re learning every day, we’re building our relationships, which has been good, and it’s come so naturally. We’re in a good place right now.”
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Hayes has only gotten a couple of months with the USWNT after finishing work with Chelsea in May. Still, players expressed confidence in their ability to absorb her tactical instructions on short notice. The Stars and Stripes wrap up their stateside preparations for the Olympics on Tuesday night in a friendly match against Costa Rica.
“I think [in June] we were able to cram a lot in a short amount of time," Casey Krueger said. "It was a little bit mentally exhausting, but I think the group is just hungry to continue to learn and just absorb everything that she’s wanting.”
Added Emily Fox, a former No. 1 overall draft pick in the NWSL: “I think no matter what, we have a short amount of time together. Normally, we have like 10 days. So I think in a way we’re kind of used to having to implement a lot of stuff in a small amount of time."
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Fox continued: “I think really, we’ve had more of just an emphasis on [moving quickly], on having the final product and really listening to information and executing it. I really think there’s not that much of a difference other than we’re just really focusing on it.”
While the USWNT's strategic approach will matter at the Olympics, part of Hayes' responsibility is putting her players in an advantageous mindset after a string of poor results at major tournaments under prior leadership. For many players, setbacks at the Tokyo Games and the 2023 World Cup remain unhealed wounds.
Hayes is renowned for her motivational abilities, part of the reason U.S. Soccer hired her as the full-time replacement for Vlatko Andonovski. She won seven Women's Super League titles with Chelsea, overseeing world-class players, including Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby and Lauren James.
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Hayes has tried to project positivity this month rather than shake the confidence of players still reeling from results in the recent past. Her attitude has extended to how she views the weather in scorching hot Washington D.C. where the USWNT faces Costa Rica on Tuesday.
“It’s perfect preparation for Marseille, it’s pretty hot down there,” Hayes told reporters on Monday. “So this is a great opportunity for us to experience what we’re going to face. For me, that’s added value.”
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