Emma Hayes is rebuilding USWNT with a new philosophy that could define the future | OneFootball

The US women's national team has long been dominant in the world of international soccer, but over the last few years, competition seems stronger than ever. After this topsy-turvy cycle, USWNT is looking toward Emma Hayes as the guide to rebuild the squad and make sure dominance continues for the country. But is this coach innovative enough to really bring about lasting change, or is this another massive promise that just may go undelivered?

There is no straightforward answer, but her project, "The WNT Way," tries to reshape how women's soccer is structured in the US from the grassroots level to the top. For her, it is not about winning-something the USWNT has mastered-but changing the system, so success becomes sustainable and long-term.

A new way of thinking about soccer in the US?

The core of Hayes' idea is to create a model that is different for women's soccer, rather than just taking what exists in the men's game. It sounds obvious, but the reality is that most strategies in soccer have been generically adapted from the men's side without considering physiological, tactical, and structural differences.

That's why "The WNT Way" presents an ambitious change in tack-a system comprising player development, coach education, sports science, and organizational structure. This is about more than building a better environment for women within football but also setting up future generations with the ingredients they need to be successful.

This is the most ambitious element of her strategy to make US Soccer a global reference point-not only on the field but also at organizational level: strengthening specific research in women's sports performance, creating specific coach education for the women's game, and pipelines into the youth setup to keep more girls playing into adulthood.

Culture change or another one of those big ideas on paper?

The million-dollar question, however, is how much of this will really affect the USWNT in the short run and into the medium term. On paper, this sounds great, but real success on the pitch is about lots more than a well-constructed strategy.

At the last World Cup, the USWNT received a rather rude awakening. Once the undisputed leader of the women's game, they watched on as nations like Spain and England surged ahead. To reclaim its spot atop the mountain, Hayes will have to balance her long-term vision with some immediate results, especially with the 2028 Olympics on the horizon.

She has expressed that winning is still important, but she also needs to shape a new generation of talent. That will likely mean some veteran players will not be in the lineup while rising stars are, as is often a contentious decision for top national teams.

Impact on NWSL and women's soccer development

"The WNT Way" is not only about the national team. Hayes also wants to have an impact on the NWSL and youth development programs to create a more structured ecosystem in women's soccer in the US.

The idea is to align the pro league with the national team's philosophy, which could raise the overall level of the sport. But for that to take place, it won't be easy. The NWSL operates independently with its own interests and business model in place, so convincing clubs to buy into US Soccer's vision could prove as difficult as rebuilding the national team itself.

Beyond that, Hayes wants to bring in other organizations like the USL Super League and college soccer into the fold so that there's a more connected player development pathway. This can make the sport bigger in the US if multiple stakeholders commit to such an approach.

USWNT under the leadership of Hayes

Emma Hayes has the big project and the backing to see it through, but the success of "The WNT Way" is going to depend on a number of factors: player buy-in, good cooperation with the NWSL as well as with the youth programs, and results on the pitch.

Women's soccer is changing fast, and Hayes wants to make sure the US doesn't fall behind. The real question now, though, is whether her vision will truly change the USWNT-or just be another big idea that never quite comes to fruition.