USWNT head coach Emma Hayes is gearing the team up not only for a critical pair of friendlies against No. 1-ranked Spain, but also the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup next summer.
With such a hugely important year ahead, having the team in top shape and prepared to the fullest will be of the highest priority in between matches.
That key preparatory training has been taking place at the brand new U.S. Soccer national training facility, where both the men’s and women’s national teams have their home base.
Hayes was left stunned by the layout, quality, and organization of the facility, which will hopefully provide a springboard to the team’s build-up to next summer’s big tournament.
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Where is the U.S. Soccer national training facility?
The U.S. Soccer federation recently constructed a brand new national training facility that opened in Fayette County, Georgia, just south of Atlanta. The doors opened in May of 2026, just before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after two years of construction.
The facility cost approximately $250 million to construct, and was funded in part by a charitable donation of $50 million from Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank, as well as land donated by Chick-fil-A chairman Dan T. Cathy.
It features 17 total outdoor fields, including 13 natural grass and two artificial turf, plus two sand pitches for beach soccer training. It also features 400,000 square feet of indoor space, including offices, meeting rooms, and multiple indoor pitches.
Nike also partnered to help construct a 10,000 square foot gym with locker rooms, a dining hub, and multiple weight training areas.
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“It feels like we’re coming home” ❤️ https://t.co/GuRQj0wrSm
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 6, 2026
Emma Hayes hails U.S. Soccer training facility
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes was thrilled by the new facility, where the U.S. women trained ahead of their first match against Spain on Saturday, October 10 at Audi Field in Washington, DC.
She was most excited by the multi-pitch design, which allows the coaching staff to observe simultaneous training across multiple fields, whether it be different squads, or a split-squad action.
“This is what we wanted from day one – a situation where we’ve got two elite groups, side by side, all competing to be on the senior squad,” Hayes said. “I’m going to have to keep educating the entire country about the importance of development, and that includes the players, because skipping steps are simply not an option. Proof of that is Evelyn Shores, Kate Del Fava, players who have been in that and are progressing into that.
“Being able to coach a session, then walk across and watch that session… this is exactly what I want. I’m very excited for the day because I’m in football heaven.”
Veteran midfielder Lindsey Heaps was also incredibly excited about the new facility.
“The fields are what I’m probably the most excited about,” said USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps. “I feel like you can’t put a pass wrong on these. U.S. Soccer is just making a big push to make things incredible for us. I appreciate everything they did to put this together, and we’re just excited to be here for the first time.”
