Hayes: USWNT must be…

Emma Hayes, head coach of the United States women’s national team, emphasized the need for her players to become “tougher” and step out of their domestic comfort zones during a press conference on Monday.

The USWNT is currently in Brazil, participating in two rare overseas friendlies as part of their preparation for next year’s World Cup.

In a tough match held in São Paulo, the Americans faced a 2-1 defeat against Brazil on Saturday, with another friendly set for Tuesday in Fortaleza.

“This experience is unlike anything else,” Hayes remarked. “Soccer is a way of life here, and there’s a certain intensity that is beautiful but challenging. The atmosphere is electric, and players have to succeed amid it all.”

She continued, “We tend to create conditions that are too perfect. In our U.S. soccer culture, we often reflect on what we should do differently, but we need to adopt a tougher mindset. We must learn to endure the challenges of the game.”

Hayes believes this trip to Brazil offers a critical test for the USWNT. She admires the Brazilian approach to soccer, where the sport is considered “more than life and death,” contrasting with the U.S. mindset. During warm-ups, the Brazilian squad was observed practicing grappling exercises without any equipment, while the crowd enthusiastically cheered every goal scored against the USWNT goalkeeper.

The match itself was marked by a high physical intensity, featuring 16 fouls called and many more uncalled as the crowd of around 31,000 drowned out player communications, creating a challenging environment. USWNT forward Sophia Wilson opened the scoring, but Brazil quickly responded with two goals.

For Tuesday’s rematch at Arena Castelão, more than 40,000 fans are expected in the stands. Hayes, who previously faced Barcelona at Camp Nou during her coaching stint at Chelsea, stated that the atmosphere in Brazil is on a different level. “You can prepare as much as you want, but you won’t fully understand it until you’re experiencing it firsthand,” she said.

“I need to communicate to the world that this experience is unparalleled. The style in which soccer is played and felt here, along with the enthusiasm of the crowd as an additional player, is extraordinary. I’ve enjoyed watching games here as a fan, but coaching in this environment has been astonishing and will undoubtedly heighten tomorrow’s experience,” she added.

Hayes acknowledged that progress is being made to create tougher playing conditions for U.S. players in order to better prepare them for international scenarios. Initiatives are underway with contributions from U.S. Soccer and the NWSL to enhance the competitiveness of American soccer.

According to Hayes, USWNT players experience significantly fewer games over a four-year World Cup cycle compared to players from other countries. Recently, the NWSL has reduced midweek games at players’ requests, while Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil has nearly triple the number of midweek games. Many top European leagues also integrate multiple cup competitions into their seasons, which the NWSL lacks.

One potential solution could be an inter-league cup competition involving teams from the NWSL, USL Super League, and the new second division, WPSL Pro. There are also discussions about establishing a second division for the NWSL.

Out of the current 26-player roster for the USWNT, 21 are active in the NWSL.

Hayes stated, “A well-rounded squad is necessary due to the variety of game styles. Certain players will excel in this match, while others will thrive in different circumstances. I’ve identified which players shine in different situations, and where others need to improve.”

When asked about Tuesday’s lineups or strategies, Hayes refrained from disclosing details, mentioning that she views this as an opportunity to simulate World Cup conditions and would not be discussing specific tactics in this context.

However, she reiterated the necessity for her players to adapt to unforeseen challenges, including potentially “questionable” refereeing and off-ball fouls.

“Accept that these aspects are out of your control,” Hayes emphasized. “You can’t alter it. Move past it and focus on the game.”