How did the U.S. women’s soccer team win gold in Paris? ‘Just love’

The U.S. Women’s National Team won an Olympic gold medal for the first time since 2012. What does the team attribute the biggest factor in this tournament victory?

Love, fun and joy.

Under new head coach Emma Hayes, the U.S. Women’s National Team has undergone a cosmic transformation in identity and player transformation, repositioning the team to once again reach the top of the podium. After winning the Olympic Games, the U.S. is once again ranked No. 1 in the world in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings.

Heading into the 2024 Paris Olympics, questions loom large about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and will continue to do so until the U.S. Women’s National Team can put those questions to rest by winning a major international tournament.

Fair or not, that’s the pressure the U.S. Women’s National Team faces.

It’s only been five years since the U.S. Women’s National Team won the World Cup, but the criticism the team has received since then has rivaled any it has received in years.

There was something poetic about the U.S. winning gold in France, the same spot they stood atop the podium after winning back-to-back World Cup titles in 2019. The U.S. Women’s National Team has turned a new page, and players and fans see a bright future.

After the game, NBC anchor Mike Tirico interviewed head coach Emma Hayes and asked her directly what she was determined to do to lead her team from outside doubt to the top of the podium.

Her answer was, “Just love.”

Mallory Swanson, who scored the winning goal in the 1-0 win over Brazil, echoed the same sentiment when asked a similar question by Tirico.

“All we do is have fun,” Swanson said. “I think Emma brought that out. We’ve been playing with joy and you can see it on the field. She said before the game, ‘This is just like a soccer game, playing with your friends.’ It’s been tough, but at the end of the day, that’s what it comes down to. I’m so grateful to have been able to play with this group.”

Photo: Carl Resene/Getty Images

Long live Emma Hayes

Hayes is now considered one of the greatest tactical geniuses in women’s soccer, and while her tactics undoubtedly helped the U.S. Women’s National Team win the tournament, perhaps the most significant change she has made since taking the role is helping players bring joy back into the team.

Brazil entered the gold medal match in perhaps better shape than the U.S. The U.S. Women’s National Team played an extra 30 minutes of overtime in both the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Additionally, Hayes limited substitutions throughout the tournament, whereas Brazil, who did not have to go into extra time in either the quarterfinals or semifinals, made a significant number of substitutions throughout the tournament.

Photo: Robert Cianfrone/Getty Images

“The passion, determination, grit, everything from these guys has been incredible. I’m so proud of them,” Hayes told Tirico.

Of course, tactics are the foundation of team building, but none of it matters without heart, grit, love and joy. It’s the intangibles that bring a team to life.

The U.S. Women’s National Team won a gold medal, but perhaps more importantly, they had fun playing soccer with friends.

Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images