New era of USWNT competition begins as players praise Emma Hayes' 'vision' in new-look January camp

Hayes coached 50 players in her most expansive look at the USWNT's player pool yet

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes has accomplished a lot in her first eight months in the job, but she finally began to put her spin on things this past week, where Hayes laid the foundation for the team's journey for the next several years.

Hayes put her own spin at the USWNT's annual January camp, inviting not only 24 senior team players to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., but also 26 up-and-comers as part of a first-of-its-kind futures camp. She ran side-by-side, but distinct, training sessions for both groups in her final major expansion of the player pool as she kicks off the buildup to the 2027 Women's World Cup and 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"I think Emma's vision is all about us being on the same page, whether you're on the full team or you're U-14," midfielder Sam Coffey said Friday from NWSL media day at the Beverly Hilton, the day after the USWNT's camp concluded. "It should all be kind of the same language, same tactics, same philosophy, and I just feel really excited about the direction she's pushing U.S. Soccer in to accomplish those things."