**USWNT Legend Heather O’Reilly Backs Emma Hayes to Deliver Olympic Gold**
By Jake Nisse in Cary, North Carolina
Heather O’Reilly, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and 2015 World Cup winner, has expressed her confidence in Emma Hayes, the new coach of the US women’s national team, to lead the team to victory in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
According to O’Reilly, the swift transition to Hayes’ leadership could be just what the team needs to succeed this summer. “I know it’s a quick turnaround, but she’s a winner, she’s a competitor, and so is the team,” O’Reilly said in an exclusive interview. “I think it could be the perfect marriage of her coming in and this time of the national team.”
Heather O’Reilly, seen after signing with Shelbourne, put together a legendary USA career
Hayes, who previously managed Chelsea to seven Women’s Super League titles, has taken on the USWNT job during a period of transition for the team. Following a disappointing round of 16 exit in the World Cup, stalwarts Julie Ertz, Megan Rapinoe, and Sam Mewis all announced their retirements.
However, O’Reilly believes that the new generation of players, including 16-year-old Lily Yohannes, who scored in the recent friendly against South Korea, can still achieve success under Hayes’ leadership. “People are flying on all cylinders,” she said. “Things are kind of like, I don’t want to jinx it, but things are in a pretty good place.”
And the ex-midfielder believes Emma Hayes and the USA women could be a ‘perfect marriage’
O’Reilly will reunite with some of her former teammates this week at The Soccer Tournament, where she, Ali Krieger, and Allie Long will play on the competition’s ‘US Women team.’ Legends Carli Lloyd, Michelle Akers, and Mia Hamm will also be part of the team as coaches, with O’Reilly dubbing the bond of USA players ‘the sisterhood.’
While O’Reilly retired from international soccer in 2016, she’s looking forward to taking the field this week in North Carolina. “When you retire, it’s hard to find things that get you going the same way anymore,” she said. “So anytime that I have an excuse to play is great, and a million dollars on the line makes it even sweeter.”