Reflecting on a Defeat: Emma Hayes and the USWNT’s Journey
Realistically, Emma Hayes wasn’t going to go her entire career managing the United States women’s national team without a loss. Despite her impressive 15-0-2 record, including a gold medal at the Paris Olympics last summer, the unbeaten streak finally came to an end on Wednesday night at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. Japan’s 2-1 victory over the USWNT marked the conclusion of the SheBelieves Cup and the team’s first defeat under Hayes. While a loss is always tough to accept, Hayes is determined to look beyond the immediate disappointment and focus on the broader objectives of her tenure.
A Strategic Approach to Development
Hayes has always been clear about her objectives: to deepen the player pool and provide opportunities for players to develop in high-pressure situations against top opponents. "I think I always go back to what our objectives were in the first place," Hayes told reporters after the match. "And that was to deepen our player pool with opportunities in high-pressure situations against top opponents, and that’s what tonight especially was about." The USWNT doesn’t have a major tournament until the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, giving Hayes ample time to build a robust and versatile team. While it would have been a milestone to win a sixth straight SheBelieves Cup, the bigger picture is about cultivating the next generation of players.
Learning from the Loss
Hayes emphasized the importance of keeping perspective. "I’m not going to sit around here and say I like losing, I don’t," she said. "But I’m the leader of the program and there’s no disgrace to be beaten by a team that have probably between them about 800 caps. Like, let’s have perspective." The USWNT was up against a well-seasoned Japanese team, with players like 28-year-old Yui Hasegawa, who has played the pivot for Man City. In contrast, the U.S. lineup included 17-year-old Lily Yohannes in the same position. This mismatch in experience underscores the developmental nature of the current USWNT setup. Players like Tara McKeown, who made her debut in a win over Colombia, and Emily Sonnett, who played center back alongside Jane Campbell, are gaining valuable experience that will serve them well in the future.
Emerging Talent and Future Prospects
Young players like 21-year-old Ally Sentnor, who scored two goals in two starts, have shown promise. Hayes noted the importance of Catarina Macario’s return from injury, but she is intentional about building a team that can sustain success. If the U.S. had rolled out its most experienced team, the result might have been different, but the reality is that key players like Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Wilson were unavailable. Additionally, Rose Lavelle and Naomi Girma are recovering from injuries, and the majority of the USWNT players are in NWSL preseason, while Japan’s lineup includes in-season European-based players. Hayes told her team not to panic and to use this loss as a learning opportunity. "Development isn’t linear," Hayes said. "I think you need moments to give you a sense of where you are in that path. But I think it’s exciting, and I think our future is exciting regardless of the result."
Building for the Future
The USWNT will reconvene in April for matches against Olympic silver medalists Brazil in Los Angeles and San Jose. Hayes and her staff are already evaluating which players will be ready to compete with the senior team and which need more time with the Under 23 squad. The process for deciding these progression paths involves multiple people from both the youth and senior staffs. Players like Claire Hutton, Michelle Cooper, and Gisele Thompson, who earned their first caps after participating in the Futures Camp, exemplify the thorough process Hayes has implemented. Even with key players potentially returning in April, some young talents have impressed enough to warrant another senior call-up. Ally Sentnor, for example, made three goal contributions and has shown qualities that can decide a game. Tara McKeown, who played in all three SheBelieves matches, and Yazmeen Ryan, who demonstrated strength in passing and ball-carrying, are among those who have shown significant promise.
Patience and Perspective
Ultimately, these early games serve as a learning curve and an opportunity to mature as a team with the 2027 World Cup always in mind. Players will absorb the lessons from this window, return to their clubs, and reconvene in April, May, and June to continue their development journey. "We have to be patient in our expectations," Hayes said. "It’s important for us to be reflective that we are where we are in the stage of our development and not to compare ourselves to anyone else. Just go through the thorough processes that we will do to make sure we’re on track for the thing that we want to achieve and build the confidence in the program to keep doing what we’re doing. Because I genuinely believe we’re going in the right direction."
