By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Emma Hayes commenced her tenure as head coach of the US Women's National Team (USWNT) with a resounding 4:0 victory over South Korea in her debut match. The win, achieved through two goals each from Mallory Swanson and Tierna Davidson, provided a promising start for Hayes, who expressed optimism about the team's direction.
Playing in her home state of Colorado, Swanson opened the scoring in the 34th minute, capitalizing on a well timed pass from Sophia Smith. Just two minutes later, Lindsey Horan's attempt was narrowly deflected by South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jung Mi, but the resulting corner from Catarina Macário allowed Davidson to score with a looping header.
The USWNT maintained their momentum into the second half, with Swanson’s corner again finding Davidson for her second goal. Swanson rounded off the scoring to complete the emphatic victory.
Hayes, the former Chelsea manager, described the performance as a "good start" while acknowledging areas for improvement. She highlighted the team’s adherence to structure and coaching, noting the balance between controlled play and seizing opportunities.
Looking ahead, the USWNT will face South Korea again on June 4, continuing their preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hayes aims to restore the team’s dominance following their unprecedented failure to reach the semifinals in the last Women's World Cup.