As an interim coach for the U.S. women’s soccer team, former University of Arizona soccer player Twila Kilgore led the group to 10 wins, three draws and one loss while in charge. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
PARIS – On August 6, 2023, the U.S. women’s soccer team lost to Sweden in Melbourne, Australia. The Round of 16 defeat at the FIFA Women’s World Cup culminated a dismal performance for the then two-time defending champions.
Questions loomed.
Nearly a year later, the U.S. is back on the global stage in hope of receiving a gold medal, as its starts its 2024 Summer Olympics campaign. The team kicks off a taxing group stage at noon MST Thursday against Zambia at Stade de Nice.
“In the time I have had with the team, I feel satisfied that we have achieved what we have so far,” coach Emma Hayes said. ”For me, the important thing is that the team keeps building the connections, keeps building the relationships, keeps building the confidence.”
After the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the team fired coach Vlatko Andonovski. In turn, his assistant, Twila Kilgore, took over the reins as the interim.
Kilgore, who played for University of Arizona’s women’s soccer team from 1998-2001, led the United States to 10 wins, three draws and one loss while in charge. She also coached the team to its first CONCACAF Gold Cup title and its seventh championship at the SheBelieves Cup earlier this year.
“The players and the other people you are working with on your staff, they’re experts in their own right,” Kilgore said of her coaching tactics. “It’s important to utilize everybody’s strengths, gather information from everybody, and really work together collectively.”
The United States Soccer Federation announced Hayes as the new head coach in November. She took over the role in May after finishing a 12-year stint managing WSL side Chelsea, where she won seven league titles, five Women’s FA Cup trophies and led the side to a runner-up finish at the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2021
In the lead-up to the transition, Kilgore and Hayes met multiple times over long distance and a few times in person to make the change seamless.
“I just wanted it to be as smooth as possible, (and) make sure (Hayes) had absolutely everything she needed as a head coach,” said Kilgore, who remains an assistant on the team. “Familiarity with things that you couldn’t be familiar with unless you’re in the environment. But finding a way to make sure that she would be.”
Hayes’ side has 18 players, including nine first-time Olympians, on a roster that looks different from the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
Forward Megan Rapinoe and midfielder Julie Ertz retired at the end of last year. Additionally, Hayes did not call up defender Becky Sauerbrunn and forward Alex Morgan, who would have both made their fourth appearance at the Olympics.
For the newcomers, the Games provide opportunities to not just showcase their talent, but also soak in the special atmosphere.
“I am so excited, I don’t really know how to put it into words,” said midfielder Sam Coffey, who will be playing in her first major tournament. “I think in many ways, it doesn’t feel real. There’s so much that has gotten me to this point. So many people have helped me get here. More than anything, I’m just feeling grateful and excited. I just want to enjoy the moment.”
The U.S. is off to an unbeaten start under Hayes with two victories over South Korea: 4-0 on June 1 and 3-0 on June 4. The team also picked up results in its Olympic send-off games, beating Mexico 1-0 on July 13 while playing to a scoreless draw against Costa Rica three days later.
“I think we have great chemistry on and off the field,” Nighswonger said. “We’ve spent so much time together, we’re really starting to gel on the field. It’s just a great group of girls. We’re all really excited to work for each other.”
After today’s match against Zambia, the team will square off against Top 15 competition, according to the FIFA World Ranking, playing No. 4 Germany at noon MST Sunday and No. 12 Australia at 10 a.m. MST Wednesday.
The U.S. women are currently No. 5 in the world, which is the lowest ranking in program history.
“Obviously, gone are the days where you could just waltz through a major tournament,” Coffey said. “Every team is so competitive and good. As a competitor, longing to get better every day, that’s something that really excites me.”
Now is the time for the U.S. women to begin a new era, with a new leader and new key players, with its first gold medal in 12 years.
“If we want to achieve the very best for ourselves, then stay focused on the process, keep training well, keep learning, keep growing, show humility, show respect and let’s enjoy it,” Hayes said.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was a little girl. So, to be leading the U.S. team out to our first Olympics games together is something that I don’t think I can put into words. … I’m sure in time beyond this, I will look back at this very fondly.”