Emma Hayes to make USWNT coaching debut in June friendlies vs. South Korea

U.S. women’s national team fans can now mark their calendars for Emma Hayes official start date with the program.

Hayes will make her USWNT coaching debut in June friendlies against South Korea, U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday. The Americans will host South Korea at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on June 1 before also squaring off with them on June 4 at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.

U.S. Soccer will also be announcing the final pre-Olympic matches for the USWNT in the near future, an announcement stated.

“It will be exciting for everyone to have Emma on board for the June games,” said U.S. interim head coach Twila Kilgore, who will join Hayes’ staff as an assistant coach upon her arrival in the USA.

“We need as many quality games as we can get heading into the Olympics and Korea Republic will provide good tests. While we will be watching every game our players play in their club environments over the next three months, the matches in Colorado and Minnesota are the final international matches before the Olympic Team is chosen, so they will carry that extra edge.”

Hayes was hired as the USWNT’s new head coach back in November, but remains with her current club, Chelsea for the remainder of the WSL season in England.

June’s friendlies will mark the most recent head-to-head matches between the USWNT and South Korea since October 2021. The nations played out a 0-0 draw in Kansas City, Kansas before the Americans closed out the series with a 6-0 win in St. Paul, Minn.

The USWNT is currently preparing for its CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinal showdown vs. Canada on Wednesday in San Diego.