How the USWNT could line up under Emma Hayes at the 2024 Olympics: Is Sophia Smith over Alex Morgan the future?

After its worst Women's World Cup performance in history, these last three months have felt rather directionless for the United States women's national team. Therefore, the news on Tuesday that Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has officially signed up to replace departed head coach Vlatko Andonovski has injected some well-needed energy and optimism into the picture.

Interim Twila Kilgore has been tasked with keeping things ticking over while U.S. Soccer waits for the perfect person to take the program forward, and it may well have found exactly that in Hayes, who will leave Chelsea after 12 trophy-laden years at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.

The six-time Women's Super League winner will come into the role at an interesting time. As the retirement of an icon like Megan Rapinoe suggests, the U.S. is going through something of a generational change, with many of its stalwarts coming to the tail end of their careers while some very exciting young talents start to take the first steps of their journeys with the USWNT.

There won't be much of a bedding in period for Hayes when she crosses the pond. The Olympic Games begin in France in July and the U.S. will want to be stood at the top of that podium when it concludes. Hayes will have just four games to prepare for the tournament, so what could the new coach's team look like going into Paris 2024? GOAL gazes into the crystal ball...