'I just worry' - USWNT legend Julie Foudy explains why she believes Emma Hayes' side 'could' win gold at the Olympics or 'get knocked out of the group'

The U.S. are pooled with Zambia, Germany and Australia in what is an extremely competitive Group B at this year's tournament in France. The top two sides will progress to the quarter-finals and there is a chance to go through in third as well, if the nation that finishes there is one of the two best third-placed teams.

A four-time gold medallist, the USWNT is among the front-runners to stand on top of the podium again this summer. However, Hayes has only been working with her new team on a full-time basis since the end of May, when her time with Chelsea finished, which has not been the ideal preparation for a side with lofty ambitions. That is one of the reasons why Foudy, a two-time Olympic gold medallist herself, has doubts.

“It’s a younger group, obviously having turned the page on some of the veteran players, and I think that was needed,” Foudy told the Daily Telegraph. "I feel hopeful with that group because it feels like they’ve been re-energised, I just worry they haven’t had quite enough time to get on the same page as Hayes wants to. They could possibly win it or they could get knocked out of the group."

Foudy ran the rule over some of the other contenders too, including the USWNT's final group-stage opponent - Australia. “I think they can get out of their group but I think it might be a bridge too far this time without Sam Kerr, with Caitlin Foord coming off an injury, with Katrina Gorry in the midfield coming off an injury,” Foudy explained. “I worry they don’t have the health to sustain them. We know you’re going to need all 16 players, it’s a grind.”

As for Canada, the reigning champion? “Going back to back is asking a lot given the quality of teams here,” Foudy said. “They are a very good team but I don’t know if they have enough up top to finish teams off.”

No team has won more Olympic gold medals in women's soccer than the USWNT, which has four to its name. In fact, the U.S. is the only side to triumphed in this tournament more than once since it was introduced back in 1996.

Hayes' side kicks off its Olympic Games on Thursday, July 25, against an exciting Zambia team that features the two most expensive players in the history of women's soccer, in Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda.