Emma Hayes, head coach of the United States, was not very terrible on Tuesday due to their 2-1 defeat against Brazil against Brazil.
Catarina Macario posted the United States the first minute, although they were coupled 24 minutes ago by a Kerolin equalizer before Amanda Gutierres broke the hearts of the hosts with a 95th minute's winner.
Hayes, however, it says that the game had been a useful exercise for her and Brazil had defeated 2-0 in another friendly only four days earlier.
“We don't always have to measure the progress with the outcome. That was the youngest covered USWNT in 24 years,” she told reporters in her press conference after the competition.
“What a great experience for them to go into a game and feel the pressure to play a really difficult opponent. If I only give priority to success in the short term, I would of course not make so many changes.
“But I don't make decisions for the short term, I prioritize the progress of expanding the play pool to see what these players look like in a very difficult match.”
The opening goal of Macario was her 10th for the national team and at the age of 26 she was the second oldest player in the starting XI.
The Line -Up itself was on average only 17.9 caps per player at the start of the game, which is the lowest for a USWNT team in the last 24 years. Defender Emily Sonnett (107) had more caps than the rest of the team combined (81).
Hayes was no doubt that she used the match as an opportunity to experiment with the team against Top opposition.
Final of PayPal Park. pic.twitter.com/vvtzwxvvqt
– US Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 9, 2025
“We don't get the chance to play a team like Brazil until we hopefully might go to Brazil next year. I don't want to wait another year until I can view a look at these less experienced players against a top level,” she said.
“I am glad I made the decision, even if you feel a little in the short term.
“I made decisions to say that I first want to see a few more, and I want to see where they really are. I am much clearer now.
“I would not know that if Alyssa Thompson would not place in this position. If I against her, say China or Ireland, I learn what I may already know. Today I learned what I did not know and I was really happy with it.”
Despite the fact that he had admitted an equalizer halfway through the first half, the United States performed well during the first 45 minutes, something that Hayes wanted to point out.
“To be honest with the group, we started the game really well. We had a good 45 minutes, competing how little experience so many of them had,” she said.
“Probably more goals should have been scored in the first half and I think that is a lesson of how to take your chances at the highest level.”
But the home team struggled to match their earlier levels in the second period, and could not register any shot on goal, while Brazil had three and generated 2.31 xg.
It is hard to claim that the winning goal for Brazil, which came just three minutes before the last whistle, did not earn. Hayes acknowledged that there was work to do the performance levels of the team consistent in the course of a complete game.
“I thought we were completely flat in the second half. Maybe that was a pretty big attempt for many of the players, mentally and physically, but I thought we started the second half so flat and never recovered,” she said.
“A game is not 45 minutes long, it was a great first half, it was not good enough in the second half.
“I kept saying to the team: I want to place players in the frying pan and I want you to feel the heat. This camp was always about expanding and experimenting this player pool.
“It becomes so clear to me which players are really ready for us and which are not.”