CNN
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Less than three months after taking office as head coach of the U.S. women’s soccer team, Emma Hayes is already aiming for an Olympic gold medal.

Only Brazil and the legendary Marta stand between the USA and their record-breaking fifth Olympic title, which would be the team’s first gold medal since 2012.

Although her players struggled to score goals for much of the knockout stages, a win in Paris on Saturday would still cap a brilliant start to Hayes’ tenure as coach.

“It’s been incredible… It’s honestly a lot better than I ever thought possible,” Hayes told CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies about her Olympic experience so far. “I still can’t quite believe we’re in a gold medal final, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Hayes took over as head coach of the USWNT in May and has recorded victories against Zambia, Germany (twice), Australia and Japan at the Olympics.

It took an overtime goal from striker Sophia Smith to beat Germany in the semifinals, while Trinity Rodman also scored late in overtime to eliminate Japan in the quarterfinals.

The United States is the favorite to win Saturday’s final, which kicks off at 11 a.m. ET at the Parc des Princes, but a Marta-inspired Brazil will be a tall order for any team.

Marta, 38, who is competing in her sixth and final Olympic Games, returns for the final after a two-match suspension determined to end her last appearance at a major international tournament on a high. She was sent off in Brazil’s final group match but watched her team record unexpected wins over hosts France and world champions Spain in the knockout stages.

“I’m so happy for Marta,” Hayes said. “What an opportunity for her and her team. She deserves it. You could see how much it meant to the players to do this for her.”

For some of the stars of the US team, it will likely be the last time they play against one of the icons of the women’s game on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

“It goes without saying that Marta has changed soccer around the world,” Rodman told reporters on Thursday. “She is such a talented soccer player, but also a great human being, that speaks volumes.”

“I’ve always looked up to her, we all do in some way, she’s a legacy for the ages. But we want that gold, so I won’t say too much about that. I love her, but we want to win.”

For the US team, the Olympic Games in Paris were an opportunity for a fresh start after a disappointing World Cup season last year that ended with a loss in the round of 16 against Sweden.

After leading Group B with three wins, the United States needed to show resilience and determination to advance through the Olympic knockout rounds and continue the team’s illustrious tradition at the tournament.

The conditions in France were challenging and the games long, but Hayes, who coached Chelsea’s women’s team for 12 years before joining the USWNT, is confident her players will have enough energy for one final performance.

“After that, you have plenty of time to rest,” she said. “We are in the gold medal final. I am sure everyone will give their all to perform. I have complete confidence in this group to do it, so I don’t think that will be a problem.”

“We’re here to compete, we’re here to win,” Hayes added. “It’s going to be a chaotic game, I’m sure… I expect it to be quite a battle, quite heated. But honestly, I’m just focused on getting the best out of us and I want to make sure we’re as prepared as possible.”

The players, meanwhile, are enjoying the opportunity to play under Hayes in their first international coaching role.

“Emma came in so close to this tournament,” Smith told reporters. “We knew it was obviously going to be a challenge. It’s a challenge to build trust with a new coach, let alone a few months before a world tournament, but she just came in full steam ahead.”

“We absolutely love her. She has worked every day to build our trust and show us that she really cares about us, not just as players but as people. That really means a lot to us… Of course, we are a completely different team and a lot of the credit goes to Emma.”

The USA’s narrow win over Germany earlier this week has secured at least an Olympic silver medal, but one more step would round out a hugely successful – if not always smooth – start to Hayes’ tenure.

For the most traditional team in women’s football, this would be the end of a long tournament and the beginning of a new era.