CHESTER, Penn. — United States coach Emma Hayes said on Monday that her team must be more efficient and aggressive from the opening whistle to defeat Spain on Tuesday in a rematch of the world’s top two teams.
But Hayes heartily reiterated that she is not concerned with results in this two-game series against Spain, stressing that her team is making progress.
“My big request to the team is to do it earlier,” Hayes told a packed room of reporters at Subaru Park on Monday prior to training. “Like, start earlier with the things that really matter.”
Reigning World Cup champions Spain defeated the U.S. 2-0 on Saturday on a pair of goals scored in the first 14 minutes of the match. The United States dominated the second half and outshot Spain 13-6, but failed to score.
Hayes maintained her optimism and doubled down on many of the points she made after Saturday’s loss, saying that the United States women created more opportunities than Spain but were wasteful in front of goal. The U.S. had the edge in expected goals on Saturday: 2.26 xG to 0.43 xG, according to ESPN Global Research.
“We definitely want to be more aggressive,” U.S. defender Emily Fox said. “And so, whatever that takes. If that is more physicality, if that is being more front-footed, if that’s just reading the game a bit better.”
Spain was the more aggressive team on Saturday in the first meeting between the teams, in Washington, D.C. La Roja committed 12 fouls to the United States’ four and conceded a penalty. Forward Athenea del Castillo was shown a red card in second-half stoppage time, moments after entering the match, for pulling the hair of the United States’ Michelle Cooper.
“I honestly expect like a really more physical game,” Spain defender Oihane Hernández told reporters on Monday. “I think they’re gonna be more aggressive.”
Despite those expectations, United States centerback Tierna Davidson said she expects composure from her team.
“I think just a really calm confidence,” Davidson said about the response she hopes to see on Tuesday. “I think having the confidence both on and off the ball, I think that is what will take us to the next level to make sure that when we are in front of the goal, we’re finishing, when we are defending our own goal, we’re aggressive and strong.
“I think that’s something that we’re hoping to see as well. But really just a togetherness, a chemistry, a belief.”
Hayes said after Saturday’s match that the United States had closed the gap on Spain: “I think we’re much closer to them than we were three years ago, definitely.”
On Monday, she pushed back on that same narrative, stressing process over results and asking reporters if the questions around her team closing the gap would be the same had they scored against Spain.
“Everything we’re talking about is defined by the scoreline,” Hayes said, adding again that the “details” were lacking in the 2-0 loss to Spain.
Hayes said that progress takes time. She mentioned how the U.S. had four months off between training camps, and how on-field relationships take time to build. She used the example that players are used to player-to-player marking for their clubs, but need to play more zonal defense at the international level.
Both teams are missing important players. Ballon d’Or winner and Spain midfielder Aitana Bomati remains sidelined in a comeback from a broken leg, while defender Mapi León pulled out training camp early last week. Attacking midfielder Mariona Caldentey is out with a hamstring injury.
Defender Naomi Girma and midfielder Sam Coffey were each removed from the United States’ roster before training camp began due to recent injury setbacks.
Hayes stressed the importance of timing to obtain results. All the time between tournaments is about development, she said.
“When you get to those tournaments, a bit like our [2024] Olympics, everything has to go perfect,” Hayes said. “You have to have your best players available. You have to take your best chances when they come and you have to concede few goals.
“If we’d have taken an injury in the 2024 Olympics, I don’t think we would have won it.”
