Analysing Emma Hayes' decision to leave Chelsea
The USWNT has been shown exactly what to expect from Emma Hayes following the latest blockbuster Women’s Champions League clash which saw Chelsea draw 2-2 with Real Madrid. The national football team will welcome the WSL icon into its ranks at the end of the season, and the Blue’s latest performance has provided some encouraging signs.
Hayes was announced as the new USWNT boss following over a decade at Chelsea. The highly-rated coach joined the team in 2012 and has led her team to six Women’s Super League titles along the way.
The 47-year-old will take on the new challenge of the USWNT who are arguably at their lowest following the disappointment of the World Cup. The team, under the leadership of Vlatko Andonovski – who has since been sacked – finished the tournament in the round of 16 after a controversial penalty shootout defeat to Sweden.
The result was the team’s worst-ever World Cup finish, something which Hayes has the ability to help rectify from the start. And Chelsea’s hard-fought draw can go some way to explaining that.
Chelsea’s recent performance was far from the typical result that fans have come to expect. The team has enjoyed an impressive win rate of 70.82 percent with Hayes at the helm (as per Footystats) making this somewhat of an anomaly.
But despite the team’s five Women’s FA Cups, two FA Women’s League Cups, a FA Women’s Spring Series trophy and one FA Women’s Community Shield, they are yet to win the prestigious European trophy.
This season looked to be heading in the same direction when Chelsea fell behind to an early goal in the tenth minute. Real Madrid defender Olga Carmona fired a long shot past Ann-Katrin Berger in goal to give the Blues the worst possible start.
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Chelsea quickly grew into the game with a flurry of chances, leading to Ashley Lawrence to float a cross into Niahm Charles to bring the game back level minutes before halftime.
A second goal followed in the 74th minute. Charles was involved again when she crossed to Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer Sam Kerr who calmly headed home from close range.
Moments later another twist in the game was provided when Jessie Fleming was deemed to have fouled Athenea del Castillo in the penalty area. Carmona stepped up to score the equalizer from 12 yards.
Hayes’ team believed they had won the game in the dying minutes when Millie Bright played in Charles who found the back of the net once again. The defender cooly volleyed the ball in, but was incorrectly flagged for offside which ruled the goal out.
Despite the team feeling hard done by, there were plenty of positives that the USWNT will feel pleased with. The Blues put in a strong performance despite playing over 1,000 miles away from West London and spent most of the game in the driver’s seat.
Hayes also kept a cool head during a game of so many highs and lows, making the subtle change of Lauren James on for Fran Kirby rather than opting for a different tactical approach. The move proved vital in a game that the Blues should have won against an opposition of high caliber.
Chelsea are next in action when they face another tough test in Liverpool on Saturday (November 18) back in the WSL as they hope to cement their place at the top of the league table.
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