Emma Hayes, coach of the United States women's national team, downplayed the significance of the team's recent 2-1 defeat to Japan, their first loss since she took over last year. After the SheBelieves Cup match, she highlighted that development is a non-linear process essential for their preparation for the World Cup. Despite finishing second in the tournament, Hayes remains optimistic about the future and the opportunity to assess her roster's depth and potential during high-pressure competition. The loss provided insights into player readiness and long-term development goals.
"We've won the gold medal in the summer, and we are wanting to compete to win the World Cup, so we have to keep developing and development isn't linear."
"But I think it's exciting and I think our future is exciting regardless of the result."
"I think we look through the lens of our objectives, and say, listen, we've certainly looked at our players in this setting, and we've definitely got a better understanding of where they are within that journey."
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