Emma Hayes and the USWNT could be the 'perfect marriage,' says World Cup winner Heather O'Reilly, as American women eye Olympic gold this summer

Emma Hayes and the US women's national team could be a 'perfect marriage,'  USWNT World Cup winner Heather O'Reilly said as the Americans look to hit the ground running on their new era.

The ex-Chelsea coach Hayes only managed the USA for the first time last week, and it's a swift turnaround to the Paris Olympics in late July.

Nonetheless, O'Reilly - who collected three gold medals and the 2015 World Cup with the USA - is 'bullish' on the team's chances this summer.

'I know it's a quick transition and [Hayes] hasn't had much time with them, but she's a winner, she's a competitor and so is the team,' O'Reilly told Mail Sport in an exclusive chat from The Soccer Tournament, a $1million, winner-take-all competition.

'And so I think that it could be the perfect marriage of her coming in and this time of the national team.'

Hayes, whose seven Women's Super League titles leave a massive legacy with Chelsea, took the USA job during a job a time of transition for the team.

Following a hugely disappointing round of 16 exit in the World Cup vs. Sweden, stalwarts Julie Ertz, Megan Rapinoe and Sam Mewis all announced their retirements.

Usual first-choice goalie Alyssa Naeher is also a major question mark for the Olympics after suffering a thigh injury, and she wasn't picked in Hayes' squad for the two recent friendlies vs. South Korea

After the USA won those games 4-0 and 3-0 respectively - with 16-year-old Lily Yohannes scoring in the second match - O'Reilly is confident that the USWNT's new generation can be successful.

'People are flying on all cylinders,' she said, while noting the returns of Rose Lavelle and Catarina Macario as well.

'Things are kind of like, I don't want to jinx it, but things are in a pretty good place. People seem to be sharp, scoring goals in a lot of different ways, Good variety. So I think they're in a good place and I'm looking forward to it.'

While O'Reilly retired from international soccer in 2016, she'll be reuniting with some of her ex-teammates this week at The Soccer Tournament with she, Ali Krieger and Allie Long set to play on the competition's 'US Women team.'

Legends Carli Lloyd, Michelle Akers and Mia Hamm will also be part of the team as coaches, with O'Reilly dubbing the bond of USA players 'the sisterhood.'

'We've been through these crazy highs and lows together and so it's kind of just like nice to be reunited,' she said.

O'Reilly, who came out of retirement to appear for Irish club Shelbourne in 2022, appears to be done playing - and that's exactly why she's looking forward to taking the field this week in North Carolina.

'When you retire it's hard to find things that get you going the same way anymore,' she said.

'So anytime that I have an excuse to play is great and a million dollars on the line makes it even sweeter.'