Question: Have you ever looked at Emma Hayes and thought that the future of the USWNT is secure? Well, if you have, you’re not alone. Sure, winning an Olympic medal in just 75 days may not be the ideal way to reach such a conclusion. However, for Sam Mewis, this sentiment rings true, as the iconic midfielder firmly believes the American ladies are in ‘great hands’ under Hayes’ leadership.
In the latest episode of the Good Game with Sarah Spain, Mewis discussed the impact of the former Chelsea boss on the 4x World Champions. We all have seen the change within this USA team, but this change is beyond the pitch. Sam noted how she finds it interesting that team staff can take and post a player’s photo without their approval.
The ex-KC Current star questioned the lack of control, wondering what if a player had a double chin, messy hair, or simply disliked the image. However, since the arrival of Hayes, athletes haven’t been affected by media appearances. In fact, it amazes Mewis how the USWNT boss is actually taking care of such minuscule details as well.
“I think that it’s just such an important distinction,” said Mewis, praising how Emma is helping the team in slightest of the aspect as well. “The more I learned about Emma; hear her talk about this stuff, the more I’m like, ‘Wow, the national team is in such great hands.’”
USWNT legend & editor in chief/host of @WomensGameMIB, @sammymewy, talks Emma Hayes’s approach to reimagining the USWNT, including how female players are uniquely impacted by social media & how better communication would serve players. https://t.co/pfalkTIZfl pic.twitter.com/JH57r5mHMa
— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) February 19, 2025
Obvious innit? One shouldn’t surprised to see how Hayes is helping the USWNT overcome challenges beyond the field. After all, their on-pitch performance is directly related to how they feel outside it. As Naomi Girma once stated in an interview what Hayes often told her players: “We’re going to hold on to this, and we’re also going to grow in this way.”
Just consider making connections and openness as Hayes’ 101 in her coaching rulebook. In fact, the players are lucky to be treated with such an approach; in the past, a lack of communication led to Mewis facing challenges in the later stages of her career.
Here’s why Sam Mewis is in awe of Emma Hayes’ approach with the USWNT
Mewis insisted that her emphasis on clear and open communication stems from her own unfortunate past. She recalled her experience with a chronic injury she sustained in 2017—one that ended up affecting the rest of her career. The former NC Courage star recalled there was never really a proper dialogue about managing the condition. That only saw her condition worsen over time.
No one was able to figure out Sam’s injury situation, nor did anyone even discuss her workload or how to extend her career. As a result, four years later, she played her final game with no real solution in place. “I just got run into the ground… It happens, but it’s super unfortunate,” she admitted while expressing her remorse over her situation.
In fact, Mewis admitted that if there had been the same “better communication and more awareness of the situation” that the current USWNT enjoys under Emma Hayes, she could have overcome the challenges of her cartilage damage and worn-down knee at that time. She also believes her career would have lasted longer.
Then again, fate saw Mewis struggle, forcing Mewis to end her soccer career at just 31. Surely, quite a grave example to cite while explaining how the current USWNT is fortunate to receive such meticulous care under Emma Hayes. How this approach ultimately benefits the team remains to be seen.
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