.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 11, 2024, 10:25 AM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly article writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- Someday last winter months, Crystal Dunn delivered Emma Hayes a text.The message was something along the lines of, "Ma'am, I listen to rumors!" Dunn recollected recently, as well as it was embeded in the gurgling speculation at the time that Hayes was heading to end up being the brand new coach of the USA girls's nationwide team.Dunn, a pro defender that had participated in a period under Hayes at Chelsea just before moving to the NWSL, stated Hayes seemed thrilled yet was not surprisingly circumspect in their swap, as well as Dunn concluded it through informing Hayes: "I wish it's true. Due to the fact that I believe you are actually heading to be actually remarkable." Nearly 10 months on, that interaction resides sizable in Dunn's mind initially given that Hayes carried out in simple fact end up being the U.S. coach and also, in a whirlwind begin, has actually currently delivered: The Americans won an Olympic gold medal on Saturday in Hayes' 1st major event in charge.Editor's Picks2 RelatedIt is actually, by any kind of step, an advantageous beginning for Hayes, who merely began the job in June after accomplishing the nightclub season. But it is actually additionally illustratory of what the future might hold for a plan that is actually extremely clearly changing.In a short time, Hayes has approached the group's personnel, tactics and also participating in type in considerable means, in addition to making powerful individual links-- some of which were harder than others-- while likewise pushing her staff to uncover the pleasure the players feel for one another." She's executed so many traits and trained us in such a way that our company've actually needed," U.S. captain Lindsey Horan said.U.S. ahead Sophia Johnson, that scored three goals during the course of the Olympic project, consisting of the significant game victor in extra opportunity of the semifinal, claimed it much more merely: "Our company are actually a different group." That is no little feat, either, given the state of the plan a year ago. After being eliminated in the round of 16 finally summer's Women's Globe Mug-- the most awful surface ever before in a primary competition for the united state-- the staff moved on coming from coach Vlatko Andonovski and looked towards what had been an unavoidable recalibration.Hayes, who succeeded 5 game labels in a row at Chelsea, had actually certainly never dealt with globally but was very aware of American gamers after coaching at Iona University as well as at several qualified degrees in the U.S. coming from 2002 to 2012. She showed up along with concepts and also started executing them ideal away.Her type-- as well as among the features that players practically generally state they value-- is actually to become sincere and also candid. Various other instructors may have featured Alex Morgan, the American pillar in strike, on the Olympic roster, if only since it will be the much easier option for a stranger can be found in after all, Morgan is one of the very best U.S. goal markers in history. But Hayes possessed no instinct to placate any individual, deciding that Morgan had not been a fit for the design she intended to participate in as well as favoring rather to opt for a much younger group.As it appeared, the assaulters she chose-- Smith, Mallory Swanson as well as Trio Rodman-- were actually one of the standouts of the event, with every one supplying a crucial objective in three trustworthy 1-0 success for the U.S. as it brushed up by means of the knockout rounds.A gold medal in the very first few months of her period is impressive, but Emma Hayes has a lot larger think about the USWNT and also U.S. Soccer. PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty ImagesHayes didn't simply toss the trio with each other, either. She changed Johnson's having fun type, asking her to poach more around the target instead of losing deeper as she performs with her nightclub staff. As well as she motivated all three players to reveal themselves, to try out their collaboration, offering an independence within their offered tasks that resonated.Rodman pointed to her highlight-reel, game-winning goal in the quarterfinals as an instance. That strike, a blistering left-footed blast from span that tore right into the top corner of the objective, was actually a shot Rodman considered simply due to the fact that she knew Hayes would not judge her if she blasted it 20 lawns over." I had actually shanked one just about for a throw-in right prior to that," Rodman mentioned. "However possessing her as a trainer, you type of recognize that that's not visiting transform the manner in which she is actually watching the activity and also to merely keep trying traits." Defensively, Hayes created adjustments, too. Leaving Naomi Girma in place was a no-brainer-- "She is actually the very best protector I've ever observed," Hayes pointed out-- however partnering her along with Tierna Davidson and after that bolstering the defense through including deep-lying midfielder Sam Coffey, that was ended Andonovski's World Mug lineup, are actually among the steps Hayes made along with confidence.STREAM FUTBOL AMERICAS ON ESPN+H erculez Gomez and also Sebastian Salazar dispute the greatest storylines and break down the very best highlights that football in the Americas must supply. Flow on ESPN+ (UNITED STATE only).She has additionally changed some placements around, participating in Dunn as additional of a go-forward winger than she has resided in recent, as an example, while additionally limiting her replacements as well as schedule adjustments generally. While that definitely brought about increased tiredness, Hayes mentioned she preferred the gamers to "go through" since she felt that structure chemistry in between her best players was more crucial." I presume anytime there is actually freshness as well as modification, it's regularly a little bit stimulating in any kind of feeling only to make that transition," veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher mentioned. "And also I presume you can easily see everyone sort of investing it as well as approving her." Tactics apart, handling the individualities of a team of gamers of varying grows older and knowledge is a problem all by itself. A number of Hayes' work in that region is actually general and exciting-- she introduced a karaoke machine for the staff, which quickly became a center of attention of the staff's downtime. (According to Horan, Flower Lavelle understands the verses to plenty of tunes that she doesn't even need to consider the display screen.) There are problems and also Legos to likewise assist all of them connection, yet Hayes has actually worked to create connections along with the gamers that operate much deeper. Dunn mentioned that she as well as Hayes bonded over being mommies, and also she and her trainer will chat practically day-to-day concerning what it resembles to take care of enthusiasm for collaborate with the ache that includes being actually far from your child." It feels like you try your absolute greatest to become capable to devote to both being a mother and also being a gamer, and I believe that occasionally it is nearly difficult to equilibrium," Dunn stated. "She is actually had the ability to allow me to possess my ridiculous moments when I'm like, 'I prefer him near me,' however all at once [inform me], 'All those sensations that you experience are quite usual.'" Hayes additionally created a shut relationship with Korbin Albert, the skilled 20-year-old midfielder that drew criticism after social networking sites posts through which she showed up to support anti-LGBTQIA+ material. (She later on excused accomplishing this.) Hayes explained that she has no persistence for any person that doesn't wish to nurture a comprehensive neighborhood, however likewise claimed her impulse as a mama is actually "to protect." Hayes thinks that Albert understands the importance of the oversights she created and is actually authentic concerning intending to be part of the team, and so as a coach she wants to assist her increase. On Sunday, Hayes handed Albert a beginning in the final versus Brazil, as well as Albert provided an excellent through-ball to establish Swanson for the winner.The clear financial investment from her train urged Albert to communicate passionately regarding Hayes and also what that sort of support means to her." It is difficult love occasionally," Albert stated, "as well as it is actually truly pleasant merely to possess her listed below and only mentor me and leading me in every action in every way directly as well as on the football industry." She reminds me of my mama sometimes." Excellent as this position show was from Hayes, both she and united state Soccer recognize that this is actually a lasting play. Hayes' agreement goes through the 2027 Women's Globe Cup, and while a gold medal in the first handful of months is impressive, the much larger goals are located ahead.Hayes possesses ideas on just how to spruce up the talent id unit, the gamer progression unit and also the sychronisation in between youth national groups as well as the senior group. She has prepare for exactly how she would love to see united state intercourse. She has a vision on exactly how this system could possibly traverse a sport that is getting much deeper everyday, if it's sharp in the ideal direction.First, though, she is actually hoping to lastly come to fully unboxing her containers coming from Chelsea. At that point, possibly, a few times off. Then the push is going to continue in ernest." Tonight, we possess a gold award, but it does not suggest it finishes there certainly," she mentioned. "Our team are actually just at the starting point.".