The Emma Hayes Era commenced with an extraordinary win.
USWNT defeat South Korea in Emma Hayes debut as head coach
The U.S. women’s national team had their first match and win under the management of new head coach Emma Hayes as they defeated South Korea in a jam-packed DSG Stadium in Colorado this Saturday.
Hayes began her career as USWNT manager with a few surprises in the starting XI, placing Catarina Macario in the creative role and putting her in between Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith who were on the flanks, with Mallory Swanson as the sole striker.
The first Starting XI of the Emma Hayes Era
Full Lineup Notes » https://t.co/s1Qwj3nYHW pic.twitter.com/qzY6cEcE0q— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 1, 2024
The first goal of the game came directly from one of the attacking partnerships, with Sophia Smith putting Swanson through on goal with a beautifully placed pass to open the scoring in Commerce City.
Mal with the opener in Colorado! #USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/mvzqAPwtrM
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 1, 2024
Just four minutes later, a corner kick cross to the back post, headed by defender Tierna Davidson onto the front post, doubled the USWNT’s lead. Davidson’s lobbed header was too clinical to stop.
T makes it two! ✌️#USWNT x @vw pic.twitter.com/UtROf4pO8Q
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 1, 2024
This three-minute goal sequence sent the USA into the half with a 2-0 lead and with Hayes enjoying her team’s effort in the first 45 minutes of her national team career.
We love it.
Emma loves it.
Hope you love it too. pic.twitter.com/jUfgBAqG8w— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 1, 2024
Two minutes into the second half we enough for the USWNT to continue the goal streak, with Davidson doubling her tally with another header from a corner kick. She did not waste the South Korean goalkeeper’s error.
TIERNA ON A TEAR!!!! #USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/UoKjsKmURw
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 1, 2024
The USWNT’s third goal followed a wave of substitutions from Hayes, with the debutant head coach sending five players from the bench onto the pitch for the last quarter of the match. Though, despite the plethora of switches, the gas pedal was not lifted.
Rose Lavelle — who only had 10 minutes on the pitch since being substituted on — dragged the ball into the last third of South Korea’s half and assisted Mallory Swanson to seal her brace and the United States’ fourth of the night.
Rosie Mal#USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/dn9RuwvP8q
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 1, 2024
The U.S. women’s national team will now prepare their second friendly against South Korea this upcoming week, as they face off once again on Tuesday, June 4 at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
