Key Highlights
- The U.S. women’s national team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Portugal on Thursday.
- Head coach Emma Hayes emphasizes the importance of learning and adaptation after setbacks.
- Hayes plans to experiment with different tactics in preparation for upcoming matches.
- Eva Gaetino, a U-23 player, was promoted to the senior team for upcoming games against Portugal and New Zealand.
Learning from Setbacks: USWNT’s Emma Hayes on Post-Defeat Strategy
The United States women’s national soccer team (USWNT) encountered a significant setback in their recent friendly match, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Portugal. Head coach Emma Hayes, known for her innovative approach and adaptability, has emphasized the importance of learning from this loss as they prepare for future matches.
Short Turnaround: Rapid Learning and Adaptation
The USWNT will face Portugal again in just three days. This rapid turnaround provides an opportunity to implement learned lessons swiftly. Hayes highlighted the need for quick adaptation, stating, “I think there’s no time to be negative but how do you take learnings in, obviously, very quickly and try to apply them.” This approach underscores the coach’s commitment to continuous improvement.
Midfield and Attack Challenges: Strategic Adjustments
The defeat highlighted several areas for improvement, particularly in the midfield and attack. Hayes noted that her starting trio failed to break through Portugal’s organized defensive block. Alyssa Thompson generated just 0.12 xG from three shots, while Catarina Macario took one shot worth 0.08 xG, and Michelle Cooper did not take a single shot. The head coach is focused on addressing these issues quickly: “You can feel multiple things all at once… we are disappointed but extremely optimistic because we don’t want to get to a major qualifying game and there becomes a situation that we haven’t faced yet so I’m really pleased we get the chance to address those things.”
Promoting Talent from the U-23 Team
In an effort to integrate fresh talent, Hayes made the decision to promote Eva Gaetino from the U-23 national team for upcoming matches against Portugal and New Zealand. Gaetino, a 5’11” center back, earned this opportunity through her standout performance during training sessions. While Hayes acknowledges that Gaetino may not start in the initial lineup due to limited practice time, she believes in giving opportunities to younger players: “Eva’s a great example of what happens to you when you’re doing the things you’re doing when no one’s watching.”
Hayes’ strategy reflects her broader vision for player development and preparation before the upcoming World Cup qualification tournament.
The U.S. team is in the midst of an evolution under Hayes, with ongoing adjustments in both tactics and personnel to ensure readiness for November’s crucial qualifiers.
The USWNT’s next match against Portugal will take place on Sunday, October 26 at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. With a short turnaround, Hayes hopes to implement the lessons learned from their recent defeat effectively to secure a positive outcome for this rematch.