Welcome to the age of Emma Hayes. The U.S. women’s national team pulled off its biggest win to date under its new coach, charging to a 4–1 victory over European powerhouse Germany on Sunday. Playing in Stade de Marseille, the USWNT followed up a convincing 3–0 win in its Olympic opener against Zambia with an utterly dominant showing over Germany to clinch a spot in the knockout rounds. Hayes stressed the importance of countering the Germans’ compact and organized set-up ahead of Sunday’s match, and her team did just that. By exploiting space behind the defense and tamping down Germany’s attack, Hayes won the tactical tête-à-tête while her squad executed on the pitch.
The result not only put the U.S. in pole position to win Group B, but also provided some insight into what the Hayes era will look like going forward.
