Photo Copyright Yukihito Taguchi for USA TODAY Sports
Emma Hayes and the U.S. women’s national team have come away with gold from the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning all six contests. They went to extra time just twice and have kept four clean sheets with some astute defensive work. They beat Germany (twice), Zambia, Australia, Japan, and Brazil to win the gold and though some of these encounters had exposed some of their underlying weaknesses, they still found a way through.
The spotlight often shines on the star-studded front three attackers, while the midfield by contrast has faced criticism. However, it’s the defense deserves more recognition, particularly for the key role it played in securing a USWNT victory during the tournament. The back four delivered solid performances, with left-back Crystal Dunn and right-back Emily Fox standing out for their adaptability and effectiveness.
Historically, the U.S. has relied on traditional full-backs who tend to focus on primarily defending the flanks, but Hayes began experimenting…
