FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Football - Women's Quarter-final - United States vs Japan - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - August 03, 2024. Kiko Seike of Japan in action with Lindsey Horan of United States REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo
PARIS (Reuters) - Enjoyment on and off the field has been key to the United States' run to the women's Olympic football final and singing karaoke has helped them unwind in the midst of a hectic schedule, said coach Emma Hayes and captain Lindsey Horan.
The four-times gold medallists will be aiming to cap a perfect Paris Games campaign in Saturday's showpiece against Brazil by winning their first title since 2012.
While trying to live up to the pressure that expectation brings, they have also focused on enjoying the process and having fun at the demanding tournament, with karaoke just one of the contributions from coach Hayes, who took over in May.
Aside from discussing the tournament decider at the Parc des Princes, Horan and Hayes took a moment on Friday to talk about the best talent in the squad when it comes to karaoke.
"It's between Mal and Rose, they've got the sort of Taylor Swift moves," Hayes told reporters, referring to forward Mallory Swanson and midfielder Rose Lavelle.
"It's important that the players have space to breathe and relax and not have everything so formal," the coach added. "When we work, we work. And when we have joy, we have joy. That's so important.
"Americans know how to have fun, they smile they enjoy in lots of ways... We like to have coffees, we like to get our nails done ... We like to have karaoke, we like to play Lego, we like puzzles," the English manager said, adding that her favourite karaoke song is Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice.
Former Chelsea boss Hayes, 47, has turned the U.S. around in a short time, leaving behind last year's disappointing World Cup when they lost in the last 16 - their worst finish ever.
"There's just calmness and calmness has brought such a strength to the group," midfielder Horan said.
"We are just enjoying every moment, it's about each day at a time. You get to enjoy with your team and see smiling faces, you care about when the karaoke machine is coming, you are going to a gold medal match and the karaoke is there, it's amazing.
"With everything Emma has brought into the group this is one of the big things."
It will be the third Olympic final between United States and Brazil, with the Americans winning both times in 2004 and 2008.
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Paris; Editing by Ken Ferris)
