Gold medal bid? Emma Hayes highlights key area USWNT must improve in ahead of 2024 Olympic Games in Paris – with xG in Mexico friendly win used to support argument

The United States have started the countdown to a gold medal bid in Paris, with former Chelsea boss Hayes ready to oversee her first shot at tangible success. A couple of friendly dates against Mexico and Costa Rica are set to carry them into that tournament on French soil.

The first of those outings saw the USWNT battle their way to a 1-0 win over Mexico, with Sophia Smith netting the only goal of the game just past the hour mark. Hayes’ side were more dominant that the final scoreline suggests, with there much for them to work on in the final third of the field.

Hayes told reporters afterwards of the need to become more clinical: “You only have to see from just an xG perspective at the end of the game: It's two-point-something and should be much bigger because for the chances we've created, we're not hitting the frame enough. I still think that's something to add, but I think the difference in momentum from first half to second half was even bigger for us. Much more controlled. I think we're only scratching the surface. I think there's a lot of layers to go from everyone. If we use [the Concacaf Gold Cup] as a reference point, I think it's fair to say this game was much more measured, much more controlled. [We] limited them to very little, so [it's] a step in the right direction.”

The USWNT will face Costa Rica on Tuesday in their final preparation fixture. A bid for Olympic glory is set to be opened on July 25 against Zambia, with Hayes’ side going on to tackle Germany and Australia in the group stage.