The U.S. women’s national team may be in its final camp of the year, but the clear theme coming out of Fort Lauderdale is simple: a new beginning. It could be a new mantra as the team awaits the formal start of its Emma Hayes era, or an attempt to reframe things following an earlier-than-expected exit at the World Cup, but either way, the difference between the friendlies earlier this fall and December camp feels clear.
Part of that may boil down to Hayes’ presence. The team’s next head coach came from England to meet with players and staff for a few days during this window; she’ll almost certainly be unable to return until the conclusion of her time with Chelsea FC.
“I think it was super important for her to come in, and not just introduce herself and say ‘I’m leaving!’ but introduce herself and really say, ‘Look, I’m with you guys, obviously I have this obligation that I committed to,’” forward Lynn Williams said on Friday ahead of training at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. “Obviously, we want her right now, but that’s actually really important to me to know that when she commits to something she is 100% all in.”
GO DEEPER
Those who knew Emma Hayes as a young coach in New York say she was ‘destined for greatness’
Williams said the team has…
