SAN JOSE, Calif. — One day before the USWNT opens its three-game April series against Japan at PayPal Park, head coach Emma Hayes met with media Friday morning and arrived with a clear message: this group is ready, and she wants the world to see it.
From a camp she described as producing some of the quickest football she has seen from her team, to sharp responses on player rankings and minutes management, Hayes covered a full range of topics in a presser that felt less like a preview and more like a statement of intent.
‘Some of the Quickest Football I’ve Seen From Us’
Hayes opened by praising the level of training in San Jose, noting that the return of key players — including Sophia Smith, Tierna Davidson and Michelle Cooper — has only raised the intensity of competition within the squad.
“Training has been exceptional. Really — some of the quickest football I’ve seen from us. And considering those players have been out for a period of time, they’ve all fitted in seamlessly. Competition is hotting up, which is exactly what I want.” — Emma Hayes
She added that the internal competition between the two groups she is assembling for the three-match window is a sign of the program’s growth.
“If in the few days we’re together, training is fierce — it’s not only the best game preparation, but it’s also showing me that we take training really seriously, and that everybody’s ready.” — Emma Hayes
Smith Ready, Davidson Coming Off the Bench
Hayes provided a clear picture of how she plans to manage returning players across the three-game window. Sophia Smith, she said, is the furthest along — and could be available for all three matches.
“Soph doesn’t look like she’s been away. She’s starting games and getting closer to 90 minutes. Gigi is definitely giving her even more motivation. I think she will be good to go in all three games, to be quite honest with you.” — Emma Hayes
For Tierna Davidson, the plan is more conservative. Hayes confirmed she is likely to come off the bench in one of the three games, with the primary goal of building her minutes back up consistently.
“She’s a little bit further behind, but she does need to get her minutes up at this point. Initially she was going to be coming from the bench in one of these three games, and I think we will probably stick with that — unless there’s an injury.” — Emma Hayes
As for Jaden Shaw and Michelle Cooper, Hayes said both are working their way back, with Shaw slightly ahead of Cooper in terms of readiness.
Jane Campbell: ‘I’ll Do Anything to Be Here’
One of the more telling moments of the presser came when Hayes spoke about goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who had a difficult 2025 season but has started the current NWSL campaign strongly with the Houston Dash.
“She said to me, ‘I’ll do anything to be here. Whatever you need — I’ll even be the fifth equipment person for this team. That’s how much it means to me.’ She’s acknowledged she had a really tough year last year, but she feels in a much better place.” — Emma Hayes
Hayes praised Campbell’s professionalism and calm demeanor — qualities she said make the goalkeeper a pleasure to coach at any level.
Gigi’s Coaching Cameo
In a lighter moment, Hayes was asked about Sophia Smith’s daughter Gigi making an appearance on the training pitch. Her response drew laughs — but also revealed something genuine about the environment Hayes is building.
“I need a Gigi here every couple of hours, to be honest with you. She is so adorable. But you have to earn a smile from her. She’s tough, I said to Soph this morning and she said, that’s my girl.” — Emma Hayes
Prepared for the Unexpected: Japan’s Coaching Change
Japan enters the series under a new head coach following their Asia Cup triumph, and Hayes was asked whether the coaching change affects her preparation. Her answer was a window into how she thinks about in-game adjustments.
“One of the themes of this week is we have to be adaptable. We always prepare for: this is how they might set up, but they could also do this — and if so, these are the adjustments we make. That’s what coaching is. We are prepared for the unexpected.” — Emma Hayes
She was equally direct about what the tactical key to the series will be — ball retention.
“Unlike the time we played them last year, you have to keep the ball. If you don’t keep the ball, it will be a long game. If we don’t make the right decisions to dominate and control, we won’t be able to influence the game the way we want.” — Emma Hayes
On Pochettino and the Top 100 Debate
Hayes was asked to respond to comments made by Mauricio Pochettino — who recently suggested his U.S. Men’s National Team players wouldn’t rank in the top 100 players in the world — and whether she felt American women’s players deserved more recognition on global lists.
Her answer was characteristically direct, mixing sharp skepticism about the validity of individual rankings with a clear sense of pride in her players.
“Sometimes I see these rankings and — no offense — it can be quite hit and miss in terms of how they’re put together. It’s subjective opinion. Someone within that might prefer a more European style of player. When I see things like FIFA’s Best and there are no American players in there — yeah, I think that’s insulting.” — Emma Hayes
But Hayes quickly pivoted to the bigger picture — one she cares about far more than any individual accolade.
“Fundamentally, it’s about the team trophies. I try not to get too into them. I think the same way about coaching awards — so many good coaches, how can you give one of them the best? If you have the best goalkeeper, what about the best defender, the best forward, the best sub? Where does it end?” — Emma Hayes
How Far They’ve Come Since the Olympics
Asked to reflect on the team’s development since she took over — and how she measures progress heading into the 2027 World Cup cycle — Hayes went back to where she always starts: the Olympics.
“I always go back to the Olympics. Taking over a team, only a small group had experience playing at the highest level. My starting point is always then. The things I look for are all the tactical, technical, psychological, social elements — and oh my goodness, we have progressed so much.” — Emma Hayes
She was careful, however, not to let that progress become complacency.
“That doesn’t mean you’re entitled to win anything. What it means is that we’re in a better position now than we were then. Understanding the way the team plays and applying that without having to think about it — that’s a high level.” — Emma Hayes
The USWNT faces Japan three times this April. The series opens on April 11 at PayPal Park in San Jose, followed by April 14 at Lumen Field in Seattle, and wraps up on April 17 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. Tickets for all three matches are available at ussoccer.com.