The USWNT is set to hire acclaimed Chelsea Women head coach Emma Hayes

The GIST: The USWNT is reportedly set to hire acclaimed Chelsea Women head coach Emma Hayes, a bloody brilliant move with the once feared, but recently floundering team at a turning point.

Her résumé: In 11 seasons with Chelsea, Hayes has won six Women’s Super League (WSL) championships, among other prestigious English titles. She’s widely considered to be one of the world’s best coaches for her sharp recruiting eye and tactile versatility, not to mention her fierce advocacy for investment in the women’s game. Slay.

The details: U.S. Soccer hasn’t officially announced Hayes’ hiring, though Chelsea has confirmed she will leave the team at the end of the WSL season in May 2024. Hayes could possibly juggle both teams until then, a testament to the American federation’s faith in their new hire, especially considering the Paris 2024 Olympics are less than nine months away.

• Also of note, Hayes’ USWNT contract is set to break records in the women’s game, allegedly equaling that of USMNT head coach, Gregg Berhalter. As it should.

Zooming out: After a disappointing early FIFA Women’s World Cup exit this summer, bringing in Hayes, a true newcomer to the USWNT, is a splashy, necessary move for the squad. It’s also the first real indication that U.S. Soccer is willing to shake things up in order to put the American women back on top of the world standings. LFG.