USWNT is coming into its own under head coach Emma Hayes – but it’s just the beginning

MARSEILLE — If you’re in the mixed zone of the Stade de Marseille after an Olympic football match, you’ll witness an impromptu tap show. As each player enters the small maze of ropes to fulfill his tournament obligations, his cleats create a chaotic rhythm, punctuated by their laughs or sighs depending on which side of the outcome he is on.

For the U.S. women’s national team on Sunday night, fresh off a dominant 4-1 win over Germany, the good vibes continued. Center back Naomi Girma giggled as she took small steps around the press area, while fellow defender Jenna Nighswonger offered to help her keep her balance. Some simply stopped, untied their shoes and opted for socks. Whatever method they used, everyone was in the same cheerful, if still determined, mood.

After all, while the USWNT lead Group B with six points in their two matches so far and have guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals at the 2024 Olympics, this is just the beginning. A win or draw against Australia will secure top spot in the group and a trip to Paris later this week to begin the knockout rounds.

“We play with more structure and discipline, and then I think we have fun,” said midfielder Rose Lavelle when assessing the difference in starts between these games and last summer’s World Cup. “We have a lot of special players and we are finally starting to bond. But we know we have another level within us.”

At last year’s World Cup, the US scored four goals in three group stage matches before being booted out of the tournament by Sweden on penalties in the round of 16. During this summer’s Olympics, the US already scored seven goals in two games, including four alone against Germany.

And about those special players – with the starting forward of Sophia Smith, Mal Swanson and Trinity Rodman having all now scored, with Smith getting his turn in the spotlight on Sunday thanks to a brace – there was a theme in the mixed zone:

“That’s classic Mal.”

“Soph is Soph.”

“Give Trinity the ball and let her do her thing.”

The way the players talk about their teammates is more than just a casual acceptance of the level of talent being played and the assumption that it will make itself known, but a reminder of the deep trust they have in each other to deliver to the greatest extent to establish trust. moments, as well as a level of selflessness.

“Any way I can contribute to this team, I’m going to do it,” Swanson said. “It doesn’t matter who scores, as long as we get the results we need. That is what counts. What happens on the training pitch is paying off and you can see that.”

Bigger tests await. It’s clear that the USWNT feels ready for them, despite still thinking they haven’t reached their full potential yet.

“This is probably only game six or seven of us playing together up front,” Smith said after the game. “We get along very well, very quickly. I think this is only 70 percent of what we can do.”

Compared to last summer, when the USWNT put in strong defensive performances, including a World Cup breakout with Girma at center back and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher doing her best to carry the team, and compared to the mediocre farewells, the team has found his attacking firepower early on in these Games.

“You see a collective effort from top to bottom,” Naeher said Sunday. “You know the defensive mentality of the group, then four goals on top of that is huge for us, to be able to find the back of the net, especially in the beginning; set the tone from the start.”

The early lead was important, but perhaps it was Lynn Williams’ second-half goal that felt most like a breakthrough for the U.S. on Sunday. Thanks to that late finish, her team finally showed the necessary ruthlessness throughout the match.

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Emma Hayes was particularly happy about that, especially after the US failed to score a goal against Zambia in the second half.

“That was just an affirmation: the importance of the team and the importance of finishers taking the field,” Hayes said. ‘You have to take risks when they arise. This is top level.”

But like the players, Hayes went beyond the point from a results perspective, talking about Williams as a person as much as Williams as a player.

“A player who embodies everything you want in a team, someone who cares, someone who trains with great intensity, someone who is goal-oriented, and everything she does deserves what she got tonight,” Hayes said. “She doesn’t give up on herself, but the most important thing is that she is the best teammate you can have.”

Williams was originally an alternate on the USWNT roster (Getty Images)

Perhaps that was best illustrated by the fact that when Williams was asked how she felt about her goal, she immediately responded that she was more excited about the win.

“There were moments when we had to weather a storm, especially in that second half,” the American defender said. “I think that’s the cool thing about this team and the great thing is that no one looks scared in those moments. Everyone plays their role defensively and offensively. I don’t know if it’s a different gear; it’s more of a belief that no matter what anyone throws at us, we’ll get the job done.”

Hayes said she learned things about the team on Sunday, things she would have liked to see in terms of character and resilience: a goal against Germany, then an immediate response, and big stops from Naeher, but defensive contributions across the board.

Of course she also saw mistakes. Lavelle said the team was their own toughest critics, so she’ll have company there, but Hayes saw the USWNT get out of its comfort zone thanks to the “highest-level opponent” Germany provided in Marseille, and she saw the team from all sides . . She is willing to get started with that.

“The front three were generally dynamic and very fun to watch. The most important thing was that they enjoyed themselves,” Hayes began, before apologizing for what came next. All they did on Sunday was secure three points.

“We’re not here to wow everyone before one match and then not do it again. We need to build the momentum,” she said. “First of all, recovering from games like this – you can imagine the adrenaline – is probably my biggest concern.

“You get so high, the comedown is just like any hangover. We still have a day and a half to recover before we go onto the training field. We have to analyze the things that are within our control and we have to win against Australia. Simple as that.”

The players have a rest day on Monday without travel, but a rest day does not necessarily mean 24 hours off. Not in a tournament like the Olympic Games.

“We’ll be happy tonight,” Lavelle promised, “then we’ll have another match in two days.”

(Top photo: Getty Images)