U.S. forward Mallory Swanson (9) controls the ball during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer game against Canada in Orlando, Florida, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (KDVR) — It's a new beginning for the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team.
On Saturday, the women's team will return to Colorado for coach Emma Hayes' debut against South Korea.
“It's great to have Emma here in person and joining us for training,” captain Lindsay Horan explained after the first practice with her new mentor, “It's a great feeling to get a feel for the atmosphere and see her as a coach.”
England football legend Hayes takes over the team just two months before the Olympics, when the team are due to play two friendlies against South Korea.
“The main goal and priority is the process and learning, adapting, growing and taking it day by day,” forward Sophia Smith said. “It's an opportunity to grow and get better with this team.”
This will be a return to hometown for Smith, Horan and Mallory Swanson, who grew up in Colorado and are key players in the team's international success.
“It's great to be home,” an excited Smith said. “I love Colorado. It's great to be home and it's fun to play here.”
For Swanson, the return will be bittersweet as he continues to recover from a ruptured patellar tendon in 2023.
“I think I learned a lot about myself,” Swanson said. “I had support not only from my family and friends, but from my teammates and coaches.”
A lot can happen before this group heads to Paris, and the fourth-placed team knows the pressure will be on them.
“It's great to be here in Colorado and it's really exciting for me,” Horan explained, “but I think we need to be really focused on preparing our team and making sure we're prepared for these two games, as well as preparing for the Olympics.”
