The Emma Hayes era has started in impressive fashion, with the USA asserting pure dominance over what was perceived to be a tough group full of formidable opponents. The American side have so far picked up two victories over two fixtures, having claimed three points over both Zambia and Germany. Not only have the USA claimed victory, the dynamic forward line has worked to tear defences apart at the seams.
Embed from Getty Images‘Devastating’ in Attack
The USA have caused nightmares for opponents over the two opening fixtures of the tournament, already reaching a seven-goal tally across two matches.
Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman have both displayed their firepower down the width, respectively finding themselves on the scoresheet in impressive fashion. Mallory Swanson is back to her very best with a trilogy of goals thus far, and Emma Hayes’ bold decision to drop Alex Morgan is so far paying off nicely for the English manager.
Speaking after her side’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Germany on Sunday night, Hayes expressed that “It was a mature performance. You have to suffer, of course you do, and they are a top team, but I thought we were devastating when we needed to be.”
“I think the front three in general were dynamic as hell, really fun to watch and most importantly they enjoyed themselves.”
No Room for Complacency
Though Hayes is far from slowing down, expressing there is still plenty for the USA to improve on heading into their final group stage match with Australia.
“There are still things that irritate me about us, but that is for me to fix and I say that genuinely, purely because I think we could have controlled it even more.”
“I am not here to wow everyone for a game and not do it again. We have to build the momentum. We have to analyse things that are in our control. And we have to win against Australia, simple as that.”
Superb Smith
Sophia Smith was named the Player of the Match in the USA’s emphatic victory over Germany on Sunday, having grabbed a brace on the occasion.
The Portland Thorns forward spoke of Emma Hayes with great admiration in her post-match interview, “She is always teaching us so many things and we absolutely love Emma.”
In regards to the firing frontline, Smith spoke “This is probably only game six or seven of us playing up front together but I feel like we are clicking really well, really fast. This is only about 70 percent of what we can do.”
The USA will kick-off their final group stage fixture today, with proceedings kicking off at 18:00 BST/ 13:00 BDT.
