Emma Hayes, the coach of the US women’s national team, stated that the long-held belief that the US dominates this sport, which many casual fans may still hold, is “disrespectful” and out of date two days before she takes the helm of her first big tournament match.
Hayes concurred that desire is admirable, but she also stated that given the global expansion of women’s soccer, expectations for these Olympics need to be revised.
The caliber of opposition the United States encountered in the previous year’s Women’s World Cup was not an isolated incident; it lost to Sweden in the round of 16 for its earliest-ever elimination.
As the United States gets ready to play Zambia in its opening group stage match on Thursday, Hayes stated, “I think one of the biggest problems is that we talk about what we’re going to do in Paris or what happens when we get to the semis and finals — I think it’s disrespectful to the rest of the world to talk like that.”
She added, “I think the game has moved to a point where that isn’t the case. It isn’t a shoo-in to get somewhere. It has to be earned and there’s no given right [to anything] … There’s top footballing nations in this tournament. I don’t think shocks in the women’s game exist anymore. I think we have to reframe our focus a little bit and have respect for the rest of the world.”
Although the United States is favored to win the gold medal going into the competition at several sportsbooks, a large portion of that advantage probably stems from their well-known history.
The United States is now the lowest-ranked team in FIFA history, coming in at number five. While teams like Germany and France are unquestionably formidable, many analysts believe that Spain, the reigning World Cup champion, is a stronger team than the United States.
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.