Emma Hayes: Why the USWNT’s gold at Paris 2024 can inspire the next generation
Less than a year into arguably the biggest job in women's soccer, Emma Hayes believes her side has the capacity to inspire the next generation of stars in the US.
Football
The United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) has closed an important chapter in its history over the last 12 months or so.
Last year it was bidding farewell to the legendary Megan Rapinoe, who retired after a glittering career that saw her become a Ballon d’Or winner.
This year it is Alex Morgan's turn – a player synonymous with the women’s game.
Morgan spent so much of her 15-year career shouldering the growth of the game fans know and love today, relishing in the responsibility of being the face of U.S. soccer since she was just 20.
But the pair have left the USWNT in good hands, thanks to their trailblazing nature, which has inspired the current generation of soccer stars.
Now is the time to pass the baton, though, with head coach Emma Hayes believing her gold-medal-winning squad is ready to assume the role that Morgan and Pinoe once played in growing the game across the States.
“Hopefully a lot,” Hayes told Olympics.com, when asked how their success in Paris 2024 can inspire the next era of U.S. soccer.
“As we build towards the World Cup in ‘27, I’m sure there will be scores of young girls up and down the country that were inspired by the amazing role models they’re witnessing.
“Hopefully [it] inspires another generation so the US can keep doing it [winning] in years to come.”
From grassroots to college, women's soccer keeps growing
The current roster of star-studded names have all paved their path into the national team on the back of the players that went before, whether it’s Trinity Rodman inspired by Rapinoe, Sophia Smith inspired by Abby Wambach, or Naomi Girma inspired by Morgan.
Their early success on the field in the 90s also helped develop the collegiate scene, which is responsible for so many hopefuls honing their craft and providing a pathway into the professional game.
Attempts to create a league in North America at the turn of the millennium would fail, many teams going on to fold and two formats in particular eventually crumbling, leaving the game in disarray.
When the WPS joined the growing list in 2012, just four years after its inception, something had to give.
Months after the news broke, the USWNT would go on to win gold at the Olympics, an occasion that is now looked back on as a pivotal turning point for women's soccer in the States.
Then, just one year later, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) was formed. Despite its teething problems, the league has grown in the last decade from less than 10 teams to 14 and counting.
It is considered one of the most competitive in the world, with so much of that owed to the USA's domination on the international stage.
Last year it was reported that of the almost 400,000 girls who play soccer in high school, more than 10% go on to play for their respective colleges.
Such a high standard of soccer at that level has also aided the progression of the NWSL, which is a league thriving.
Not only are homegrown players reaping the rewards of continued investment into the top tier, but it is also attracting some of the best players from around the world.
It is this kind of progress that has Hayes excited for what is to come with her side.
“This team is super adaptable and we had a really good tournament,” she told us.
“We’ve just begun, we’ve only been together around 75 days [at the time of winning gold].
“I’m very excited for our future, we get to build on this success – there’s a lot more to come from the U.S..”