In her return to Minnesota a year after taking on the role of U.S. women’s national team manager, Emma Hayes is in the locker room hallways following a press conference with media, taking the time to chat with a young family, and posing for pictures with their daughters. She’s the one asking playful questions of the little girls, funneling their excitement, before politely making her exit after signing souvenir rally towels. It’s a small moment, but it’s emblematic of how Hayes’ appointment a year ago marked a significant change for U.S. Soccer. She’s a coach, unlike previous managers before her, with a public profile that can compete alongside her star players.
The USWNT has long been a point of pride across American soccer. They’ve built a long history of winning, four World Cups, five Olympic gold medals, and a constant draw at stadiums they play in around the globe. If the USWNT is a top-viewing sports entertainment for American soccer fans, Hayes is among the headliners.
When Hayes won her first matches as the official head coach of the U.S. women’s national team in June 2024, the expectations were immediately set. The pair of friendlies against South Korea in Denver and Minneapolis last year was…
