Emma Hayes Highlights Major Issues While Urging Community to Focus on Women’s Soccer’s Growth

The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team is getting ready for another epic clash with Brazil. It’s their first meeting since the USWNT defeated Brazil to be crowned Olympic champions at the Parc des Princes. So while the match will carry the ‘international friendly’ tag, without any prize money or medals, the entire women’s soccer community knows bragging rights are at stake. And it’s in light of this important upcoming match that Emma Hayes has highlighted some important points.

The USWNT’s English coach opened up about the long shadow that still hovers over women’s soccer while speaking to the media ahead of the Angel FC vs. Seattle Reign game. “Our sport was banned… We’ve been denied the same level of opportunities because of those absent years,” said the 2024 Ballon d’Or-winning coach. However, the coach also highlighted how women’s sports have still broken through despite the challenges.

“We’ve built our game from Title 9 to the illustrious 99ers,” said Emma Hayes, referring to the pioneering 1999 Women’s World Cup-winning USWNT team. While Hayes agreed that women’s soccer has over many of those issues, simply having a “thriving pro league,” is not enough. “We have to start to look at our sport and see it entirely through a female lens,” the 48-year-old told the media.

While the USWNT coach celebrates the progress the heroes of the past made for soccer in America, she recognizes that they must now push the envelope further. Everything from “coach’s education,” to the “application of anything physiological, anatomical, or what our game is like, technically has to be studied and designed through a female lens,” advised Hayes.

The men’s side of the sport has grown immensely in budget, players, and coaches’ salaries. Hayes hopes to see the same happen for women’s soccer. From better investments to bigger stadiums, it’s all necessary and the natural “next steps” from Emma Hayes’ perspective. Thankfully, the upcoming USWNT vs. Brazil game will address at least one of the iconic coach’s wishes.

Emma Hayes’ USWNT vs. Brazil is all set to make history

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USWNT taking on Brazil in an unspoken grudge match in North America is already a huge deal, it’s not the reason the event will make history. Rather, the contest will be historic because of where it’s taking place, no matter the outcome. As a Sports Center anchor told Trinity Rodman, it’s “the first-ever women’s professional sporting event at SoFi Stadium.”

So what did Emma Hayes have to say about it? “It’s an incredible opportunity for us in a fantastic stadium,” said the English. Yet, out of all the players on the USWNT roster, it will be a little more special for Rodman. That’s because the Angel FC star grew up just 60 miles from the iconic stadium. Rodman explained how this coincidence makes the match even more special.

 

“Being able to go back to California… How my family has been there for such pivotal moments in my career. I can’t ask for much more,” Rodman said about getting the opportunity to play in front of her home crowd. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for Team USA. Hayes knows a lot is riding on whether Team USA wins or loses this clash.

While beating Brazil again, this time on home soil, would be a huge win in itself, it will also silence the doubters who raised their heads after the team’s SheBelieves defeat. Japan dealt a shock 1-2 blow to Team USA, who have dominated the tournament over the last five years. “Our young group has to recover after a loss against Japan,” said Emma Hayes. And what better way to do it than to defeat their Olympic rivals?