Yohannes, who hails from New York City, is a rising star in the women’s soccer world and represents the future of the USWNT under Hayes’ leadership. Her inclusion in the team is a testament to Hayes’ commitment to developing young talent and expanding the player pool for the national team.
But despite the influx of new faces, Hayes has remained true to the core values of the USWNT. The team’s DNA, built on a foundation of hard work, determination, and unity, remains intact under Hayes’ guidance. She has instilled a sense of pride and passion in her players, reminding them of the legacy they are carrying forward as representatives of the red, white, and blue.
One of Hayes’ key strengths as a coach is her ability to connect with her players on a personal level. She takes the time to understand each player’s strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, creating a supportive and nurturing environment for growth and development. Her emphasis on teamwork, communication, and mutual respect has fostered a strong sense of camaraderie within the team, leading to improved performance on the field.
As the USWNT looks ahead to the upcoming international cycle, Hayes remains focused on building a winning team while also championing diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in the sport. Her vision for the future of the USWNT goes beyond winning trophies; it is about creating a lasting impact on the women’s soccer landscape and empowering the next generation of players, coaches, and officials.
In just one year, Emma Hayes has transformed the USWNT into a powerhouse team that is not only a force to be reckoned with on the field but also a trailblazer for positive change in the world of women’s soccer. With her innovative approach, unwavering dedication, and infectious passion, Hayes is leading the USWNT into a new era of success and empowerment. Yohannes also made her senior debut alongside Hayes a year ago. The young prospect has eight appearances and one goal and has been named to every camp roster in 2025. She has shown off her skill set, and Hayes has been transparent about tempering public expectations for Yohannes as she is still in the early stages of international play. The process has allowed for a far less pressured environment for the teenager.
“I think Emma makes it really clear what she expects from me, and as well as for the team. Every camp, we just continue to build on that, and with every different opponent and different style of play, we try to adapt, and that’s just something that you try and to bring into your game and help the team,” Yohannes said on Hayes’ coaching.
Whether it’s deepening the player pool, evaluating multiple prospects, or developing off-pitch paradigms, Hayes has also taken extra effort to help develop people. When it comes to leaders on the squad, Hayes has been vocal about her drive to help others grow with an open door for feedback. She has had leadership conversations with team captain Lindsey Heaps, along with Sam Coffey, Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, and Naomi Girma, and more.
Girma is in her fourth year as a national team member and broke through as a USWNT regular during her 2022 NWSL rookie and defender of the year season. She’s no longer a next-gen player, but a present-day key figure, and sought out Hayes for advice about her historic transfer to Chelsea FC. The 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year was named vice captain earlier this year.
“Obviously, there’s so much that you see on the pitch, and how we’re playing, and winning a gold medal, and all that. But I think probably even the bigger impact is what she’s doing behind the scenes,” Girma said on Hayes’ impact over the last year.
“Making sure that U.S. Soccer has a way of developing young players, making sure that they’re getting seen, making sure that they’re understanding how we want to play, and understanding our principles. I think that’s something that is going to help us in the next couple of years, but also in the next like five to 10 years, too.”
Heaps has carried the team captain’s armband since 2023, and with it, constant questions about experience among the squad as several of her former teammates and former captains retired. She credits Hayes with her development not just as a player but as a leader on the squad.
“I think it’s probably [on] more of my role as a captain. What she’s given me and the relationship I’ve had with her. I think it’s something that I haven’t really experienced,” Heaps said of Hayes’ year one influence.
“It’s just, it’s really crucial to have that kind of role as a captain and a head coach and to bounce things off of each other. But also trust. To go to her when things need to be said, and her, vice versa. So, I think that’s the feeling that I’ve gotten in the past year, and in the Olympics as well.”
Building the road ahead
Along with restoring the Stars and Stripes to its dominant best after a lackluster World Cup, Hayes has shown that she was perfectly suited to take on the position, not only to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games, but to reset the program moving forward. During her early reintroductions to media a year ago, she stated, “We’ve got work to do,” and the English coach has been punching the clock ever since.
“You don’t have [time]. You cannot waste a single session, a single opportunity, because you have so few at the international level. And surround yourself with amazing people,” Hayes said about her biggest lessons in year one as manager.
“I’m so blessed that, not just that leadership, but the people we are putting into positions across WNT and YNT, has made me more excited for a long, long time. Because we’re bringing so many different innovations into the women’s game, the girls’ game. Anything from mental skill development to female health, menstrual cycle support, whatever it might be. So, so, excited about it.”
What’s next
As Hayes and the coaching staff welcome the midway point of 2025, they’ll continue their build-up toward the 2027-28 cycle with more fixtures and player review.
After a two-game sweep of China and Jamaica, the USWNT are back in the winning column following a 2-1 loss to Brazil in April. The national team will host Ireland for a pair of friendlies beginning on June 26 in Commerce City, Colorado, and Cincinnati, Ohio on June 29. Later, they’ll have another summer window where they’ll face Canada on July 2.
More friendlies for the remainder of the year will be announced later, and to Hayes’ point every moment will count and each minute will matter. The group has roughly 17 months till World Cup qualifying competitions. The Concacaf W Championship, where the region’s two top-ranked nations receive a direct bye, will begin in November 2026. The Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace
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