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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Quest for glory about to be opened in France</li><li>Have one more friendly date to take in</li><li>Looking to become more clinical in final third</li></ul>

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

Friendlies

England

<p>The United States have started the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/uswnt-alex-morgan-emma-hayes-paris-olympics/bltcd75e737a9e463d9" target="_blank">countdown to a gold medal bid in Paris</a>, 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.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The first of those outings saw the USWNT <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/sophia-smith-game-winner-uswnt-past-mexico--2024-olympics/blt291f3699701ca2ad" target="_blank">battle their way to a 1-0 win over Mexico, with Sophia Smith netting the only goal of the game</a> 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.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>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.”</p>

WHAT HAYES SAID

<p>The USWNT will face Costa Rica on Tuesday in their final preparation fixture. A <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/uswnt-star-alex-morgan-out-of-office-olympic-snub-forward-relaxing-sunshine-drink-emma-hayes-squad-paris-games/blt43e3c06ecca00456" target="_blank">bid for Olympic glory</a> is set to be opened on July 25 against Zambia, with Hayes’ side going on to tackle Germany and Australia in the group stage.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

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 | Goal.com US

Emma Hayes has highlighted a key area the USWNT must improve in ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, with xG being used to support her argument.