Emma Hayes’ Ambitious Vision for the USWNT: Bridging the Generational Gap
Since the start of the year, the buzz around head coach Emma Hayes’ vision for the U.S. women’s national team has been palpable. Her mission? To “bridge the gap” within the team. The first tier of players is still riding high from their gold medal victory at last summer’s Olympics. However, Hayes is keen to see if the younger generation can step up, challenge the established stars, and deepen the player pool in preparation for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In their opening match of the SheBelieves Cup, Hayes got some promising answers with a 2-0 win over Colombia. Interestingly, it was a player who has been on the scene for four years, Catarina Macario, who made a significant impact. Macario has been on the brink of a breakout for what feels like an eternity, but her journey has been fraught with setbacks. After suffering an ACL tear in June 2022, just after winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Lyon, her recovery was a grueling 20-month ordeal, causing her to miss the 2023 World Cup.
Macario seemed poised for a comeback last summer with an impressive return for Chelsea. However, knee irritation forced her to withdraw from the Olympic squad, missing out on the gold medal. “Probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Macario reflected post-match about her recovery. “Yeah, there were a lot of tears that were shed. Yeah, a lot of heartbreaks, that’s for sure. A lot of times that I thought I wouldn’t be able to play again, just a lot of adversity, and I’m just so thankful to be playing again.”
This season, Macario has been gradually increasing her playing time, scoring six goals in 16 league and cup competitions. With the “Triple Espresso” front line of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Wilson (nee Smith) unavailable, Macario seized the opportunity to shine on the international stage once more.
In the 33rd minute, a deft pass from Lily Yohannes found Yazmeen Ryan on the right wing, whose low centering feed allowed Macario to deliver a commanding finish. This marked Macario’s first international goal since April 12, 2022, against Uzbekistan, coincidentally the same team against which she scored her first international goal.
Macario expressed relief at scoring, saying, “I’m still working on my fitness, obviously, but I think just to be having fun, really. Yeah, it means the whole world. I’m so happy and yeah, I just hope to keep getting better and better.”
Macario’s game is about more than just scoring. Her clever touches, quick movements, and incisive passes were on full display, reminding everyone why she was called up to the USWNT in the first place. Hayes, who managed Macario at Chelsea, knows her potential well. When Macario was subbed out after 63 minutes, the emotional hug between player and manager spoke volumes.
“There’s been a lot of people involved with getting Cat to this position,” Hayes said. “I think my first feeling was just being happy for her. I just felt like pride because of how long she’d been out and how hard it had been for her and also because I thought she played well.”
- Macario’s first international goal since April 2022
- Yohannes’ impressive debut performance
- Sentnor’s stunning first international goal
Yohannes, making her first USWNT start, impressed with her distribution skills, showcasing why her decision to play for the U.S. instead of the Netherlands is a significant win. At just 17, her best position is still up for debate, but she looked comfortable in a deeper midfield role, complementing Sam Coffey and Lindsey Heaps well.
Ally Sentnor also made her mark with a spectacular 30-yard goal in the 60th minute, her first international goal, adding to the U.S.’s lead. It was a moment of pure magic, the kind that dreams are made of.
While the back line showed some vulnerability, they held firm when needed. Up next is a match against Australia, who will be eager to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat to Japan. Hayes will be looking for more data to assess her squad, but the signs are encouraging.
In conclusion, while it’s just one game, the USWNT’s performance under Hayes’ guidance offers a glimpse of a promising future. With players like Macario, Yohannes, and Sentnor stepping up, the team is well on its way to bridging the generational gap and building a formidable squad for the 2027 World Cup.
Originally Written by: Jeff Carlisle
