The new era of the US women’s national team under incoming coach Emma Hayes will begin with a friendly doubleheader against South Korea in early June, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced Tuesday.
The four-time World Cup winners will face Korea in Commerce City, Colorado, on June 1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park before facing the same opponents three days later in St. Paul, Minnesota, at Allianz Field.
Emma Hayes’ first games in charge of the United States women’s team will be against South Korea. Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
“It will be exciting for everyone to have Emma on board for the games in June,” said USA interim head coach, Long Kilgore, as part of the announcement. “We need as many quality games as we can get ahead of the Olympic Games and Korea Republic will provide good tests.
“While we will be watching every game our players play in their clubs over the next three months, the games in Colorado and Minnesota are the last international games before the Olympic team is chosen, so they will have that added advantage.”
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Kilgore is currently preparing the U.S. for a Concacaf W Gold Cup semifinal against neighbor Canada on Wednesday before joining current Chelsea coach Hayes’ staff as an assistant coach.
Hayes was announced as the new permanent USA coach last November, following the team’s earliest elimination in a Women’s World Cup in the round of 16. However, she will not take over until Chelsea’s Women’s Super League season concludes on May 18.
Chelsea also remain afloat in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, with the final taking place on May 25.
Hayes will have little time to prepare for competition at the Paris Olympics, which start on July 25. One of the biggest tasks he will face immediately is striking the right mix between a new generation of talent and keeping faith with the stalwarts of the U.S. team. like forward Alex Morgan.
Originally left out of the W Gold Cup roster, Morgan was called up to replace injured Mia Fishel and scored two goals to help the US reach the semifinals.
“I keep fighting for a place in every camp, every day. New players emerge who deserve these call-ups, these starts. The goals they score,” Morgan told ESPN’s Fútbol Américas on Monday. “We see it with Jenna (Nighswonger), Jay (Jaedyn Shaw), Olivia (Moultrie).
“And these players are incredible, so impressive to reach the international stage and make it clear why they deserve to be on this squad, the W Gold Cup, and moving towards the Olympics.
“It’s a battle. But it makes Emma and Twila’s decisions difficult. That’s a good thing. I want to make it difficult for them to select the squad. Keep doing what I’m doing and make it difficult for them,” Morgan said.
2024-03-06 06:06:37
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