“Soccer has put so many wonderful things in my life,” began Sam Mewis, “but the most wonderful thing has been the people.” These words from the former US Women’s National Team midfielder came while she officially bid farewell to the beautiful game. Despite her many milestones and accolades, the only thing Mewis chose to highlight while reflecting on her illustrious soccer career was the teammates who surrounded her. And while it’s certain the veteran still cherishes those bonds, somehow, it is the sight of Emma Hayes’ current USWNT that stirred up her nostalgia for the 22 players she shared the field with during the 2019 World Cup triumph.

From the days of Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, and Megan Rapinoe leading the attack to the rise of the “Triple Espresso” trio of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, and Mallory Swanson — along with youngsters like Alyssa Thompson and Lily Yohannes — the face of the USWNT has undergone a complete transformation. Yet for Mewis, things somehow still look exactly the same as when she left.

“They’re playing with this passion,” began Mewis on the live segment of  The Women’s Game podcast held in Washington DC alongside Rog Bennett and former USWNT teammate Becky Sauerbrunn. “They’re playing, it looks like it’s fun out there, they’re like making dance videos together—doing all of the things that brought me so much joy during my career in those really good and special moments.”

The 32-year-old who was forced to hang up her boots due to a knee issue sees no change in the vibe of the team, with the only difference being the new faces. “So I am proud of them. I feel really connected to the team again through this job and I’m just really grateful for that,” added the Hanson, Massachusetts native, before addressing how well the team has been doing under Hayes.

Already having won the June/July window’s first two friendlies against the Republic of Ireland with 4-0 victories each, the American ladies are bound to face neighboring arch-rivals Canada. This only makes the former Manchester City star desire yet another emphatic win against the North American foe. “I hope that everybody who plays for the USWNT has fun and wins their game against Canada,” concluded Mewis.

Indeed, quite a heartfelt revelation from the former American international, who clearly finds solace in watching the new era under Emma Hayes’ leadership unfold. It’s also reassuring that despite so many changes within the national team, a former alum like Sam Mewis doesn’t see the core spirit or atmosphere shifting at all — something for which credit is due to the entire USWNT team and even to Hayes.

Emma Hayes and USWNT keeping the old traditions alive!

In a recent chat with former player Meghan Klingenberg on the U.S. Soccer Podcast, Lindsey Horan herself admitted how the current locker room remains deeply influenced and inspired by those who long ago bid farewell to the pitch. Qualities like “the grit, the passion, the standards” are always withheld by the team be it a training session, meeting, or an actual game.

Heaps even paid tribute to Klingenberg, describing her as one of those people who instilled that ‘we go out to win every freaking day’ kind of mentality in them, emphasizing how important it was because she would always push them to give their best every single day. Heaps also acknowledged that being under such constant scrutiny was anything but easy — in fact, it was downright intimidating.

“I hate saying scared but we were scared coming in. We don’t want to freaking lose and disappoint,” admitted Heaps. But the USWNT captain revealed that this very fear was what guided her in leading the next generation as a skipper, hoping the newcomers would truly grasp the weight of the moment and what it means to wear the red, white, and blue.

New era, same pride. Different generation, same spirit. The legacy lives on!