The contenders at the 2024 Olympic Games women’s soccer tournament are down to the final eight as the United States gears up for a quarterfinal game Saturday against Japan.
The USWNT won all its games in the group stage under new coach Emma Hayes in emphatic style, beating Zambia, Germany and Australia. After a poor showing last summer at the World Cup, the U.S. is showing progress, but can it clinch a medal at this summer’s Games?
We asked our writers Sam Borden and Jeff Kassouf to answer some of our burning questions from the group stage and tee up the knockouts.
1. What’s the biggest change you’ve noticed under new coach Emma Hayes?
Borden: I think Ryan O’Hanlon did a really fantastic statistical analysis of the USWNT’s games under Hayes, and the numbers clearly back up what I’ve seen on the field here — the U.S. is playing with the ball more and not necessarily rushing upfield the way it often has in the past. Subbing Mallory Swanson in for veteran attacker Alex Morgan has given the forwards a vibrancy that fans haven’t seen in a while, and so far, it’s been excellent. This U.S. team has a discernible (and entertaining) philosophy, and it has players who are skilled enough to deliver. As a viewer, that’s something that’s enjoyable to watch.
Kassouf: Much of what Hayes has brought to the table is intangible. There was never a lack of talent on this team, but collectively, it struggled with a purpose and identity at and in the buildup to the 2023 World Cup. Some of that is what has been missing: the belief, the direction, the confidence. It’s easy to see how Hayes evokes that even from a public perspective, and we are only seeing — maybe — 5% of her total work. Eight of the 11 starters are carryovers from the World Cup (and Swanson was injured in all-world form, not dropped), so the changes here aren’t entirely about personnel. Tactically, this team is more flexible after being too rigid last year.
