Saturday, June 1, 2024. Emma Hayes made her official debut as USWNT head coach in a friendly against South Korea. Braces from Mallory Swanson and Tierna Davidson helped the American ladies secure a 4-0 win at Denver, Colorado’s DSG Park. Fast forward to today—Thursday, June 26, 2025—and the 4x world champions returned to that very same ground, securing a… any guess? An uncanny 4-0 win, this time over the Republic of Ireland!
Coincidence in the air, right? As intriguing as this is, the real point to focus on is the astonishing fact that Hayes completed her full debut cycle at the very same venue. It does make one wonder what must have been going through Hayes’ mind back when she first took charge, compared to how she feels now!
“I mean, so many happy memories,” the 48-year-old began while speaking in the aftermath of the win. “First of all, just arriving here, I love the fresh air in Denver, so noticeable. This time around, I got my altitude strategies right. I remember being really parched last year. This year, I felt really hydrated which was good.”
The former Chelsea boss was more than thankful to ardent supporters for creating an incredible atmosphere in the stadium. Not only did it make the team feel the fans were on top of the field, but it also helped the players respond to this unwavering support in a positive manner to secure an emphatic win.
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