Trinity’s Rodman’s clutch goal and the qualification to the Olympic semi-final aside, USWNT’s QF game against Japan looked rather dull. Both sides went goalless till extra time when Team USA overcame their sluggishness and found the net via Rodman. Pundits and fans alike think that the USWNT owes its sluggishness to Emma Hayes’s rigid ‘no substitution’ policy. Many argue that US players could have gathered much more energy to face Japan, had Hayes rested them against Australia. However, former Team USA stalwart Ali Krieger thinks Hayes is playing tournaments in the way they are supposed to be played.

A panel of soccer analysts on ESPN FC recently echoed the fan sentiment regarding Emma Hayes ‘no-rotation’ policy in a post-game episode. “The team looked a bit tired. They looked a little sluggish. I think maybe, you know, Emma could have made a few changes against Australia last game,” said Ali Krieger. But soon she opined that Hayes and her player management style do have a point. “But this is what tournament football is. This is what you sign up for. This is what is expected. And you want your best players out on the field,” the former Team USA defender added.

Emma Hayes notably said earlier that she will stick on to her no-rotation player management this Olympics, as she is trying to build a chemistry between her USWNT players. And Krieger thinks the USWNT stars play well together. “You want the consistency to be there. You want this momentum to stay. And they’ve been playing really well together. They’ve been gelling right at the correct time,” said Ali Krieger.

Nonetheless, US superstars, including Lindsey Horan, came under tremendous scrutiny for struggling against Japan. Many said Hayes should have substituted the skipper. Here is why the British coach is not a fan of substitutions.

Emma Hayes says you can’t play ball by making too many substitutions

When Team USA’s frontline kept knocking on Japan’s goal face last night, captain Lindsey Horan struggled to make an impact from the midfield. It is because of the rigorous game time she has been given at the Olympic tournament. Emma Hayes, notably, only made one substitution that too by replacing Mallory Swanson with Lynn Williams in extra time.

When asked about this minimal substitution policy, Emma Hayes said that is the way to play football. “I will not change anything I’m doing. We can’t play football like that. We just have to be prepared and deal with whatever comes with it,” said Emma Hayes in a post-game interview.

Though the Japan tie looked a bit dull, Team USA is on a clean roll at the Olympic soccer tournament. Having won all four games so far, Hayes and Co. now awaits a headline semi-final clash against Germany on August 06. It is a rematch of their group tie, which the USWNT won 4-1.

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