How team unity inspired the USWNT’s golden Parisian summer
The United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) won a fifth Olympic women’s football gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, beating Brazil 1-0 in the final at the Parc des Princes.
Many of the players have spoken of their success being down to newly appointed head coach Emma Hayes, who guided them to the top of the podium just over two months into her tenure.
Hayes is a serial winner, proving so on multiple occasions during her 12-year spell with Chelsea, but winning a title so soon into a role as big as this may have surprised some.
Playing with freedom, having fun, and believing in her players are just some of the reasons the U.S. stars have highlighted why the British coach was able to lead the Americans to gold at the first time of asking.
This was never a tournament about individuals for the U.S., this was all about a team working for each other, leaving everything on the pitch, and everyone playing their part – this was a joint effort.
“We dug in deep and just connected,” goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher told Olympics.com.
“We knew that it was going to take every single person, and we just knew we needed to get that chemistry, and we were able to do that.”
After the USA’s tense encounter with Germany in the semi-final, which they won 1-0, Hayes called Naomi Girma the best defender she has ever seen, emphasising the ‘ever’.
But rather than soak in the praise of her manager, Girma immediately turned the attention to her teammates who help her reach such a level.
“It feels good [to receive that kind of praise,” she said.
“I think we have such a strong backline and such a strong defensive unit.
“They’ve helped me this whole tournament.”
It is a testament to her leadership skills, the kind that sees Hayes call on her with the captain’s armband when Lindsey Horan isn’t on the pitch.
The pair have such qualities, with Horan crediting those around her when asked what it felt like to captain the United States to a major title.
“My teammates made it very easy for me,” she told us earnestly.
“It was a whole group effort, it wasn’t me by myself - I have a lot of leaders on the team that helped me with that.
“And honestly, the responsibility is such an honour. To walk out and play in a gold medal match as captain has been one of the coolest things in my life.”