Just a few hours remain until the 2025 SheBelieves Cup kicks off. Excitement is palpable as the USWNT will host Colombia, Australia, and Japan in the 10th edition of the traditional six-game, three-match day formatted tournament. But from the looks of it, Emma Hayes is barely stressed about her upcoming gig. That’s because the English tactician is rather busy ‘nerding out‘ with her son Harry. She knows how to play the ball and pick your brains simultaneously.

The American ladies are currently in Houston, Texas, ahead of their inaugural match against Colombia at the Shell Energy Stadium on February 20. But it seems like Hayes took time out from greasing her hands on the plot board and decided to spend Baby’s Day Out with her beloved son. What better way than to take a tour of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)?

Hayes and Harry got a tour of America’s civil space program center. The Brit coach also shared glimpses of her tour on her Instagram page with a short clip. Additionally, she wrote a caption saying, “Houston, we’ve got a problem. A day to remember. One that Harry and I have been looking forward to. Spending time with his friend Harper and nerding out about space. What more could one want when you come to Houston, Texas.”

Interestingly, in the clip shared by the US Women’s National Team on X, Emma Hayes and her son, Harry, can be seen enjoying their visit to the NASA center. Harry even came prepared for the occasion, dressed in an astronaut suit. From exploring the mission control center to watching the star struck galaxy live, the mother-son duo appeared to relish every moment. In fact, in the video, the former Chelsea boss was seen speaking to the camera, remarking, “It’s amazing.”

Notably, the final part of the video shows Harry interacting with a staff member from the mission control center. From the looks of it, the six-year-old would have asked for a close up shot of a planet presumably. While the NASA employee cheekily admitted, “We can’t really see much,” he quickly paused and changed course, “Hang on, I gotta answer this. An astronaut is actually calling me.”

Harry must have been amazed to witness a real-time conversation with an astronaut. However, behind him, his mother had a hilarious reaction, letting out a silent laugh and mimicking her son’s excitement. Be that as it may, seems like both Hayes and Harry spent quite a memorable day together in Houston. No questions asked, it was a much-needed outing for the mother and son, considering the challenges they have faced due to Hayes’ job.

Emma Hayes’ struggles to juggle coaching and parenting 

Every child desires having their parents around, and the mother-son bond is often beyond explanation. So, it’s only natural for Harry to want his mom by his side all the time—only to realize that he can’t due to her coaching job. Understandably so, this often turns out to be one big problem. “He struggles a little bit when I have to go away,” said Hayes in an interview. Well, in his defense, he is six. 

That forces Hayes to quickly wind up with her coaching work and spend as much time as she can with Harry. “The separation from me has been probably the hardest thing for both of us. I maybe didn’t anticipate that, but we’re working on it. I make sure he’s with me as often as possible,” concluded the former WSL manager.

But Emma is lucky in one aspect, her son is enjoying the American dream. Harry not only knows how to name state flags—something that even put Hayes to shame, as she admits—but the six-year-old can also sing the Star-Spangled Banner. He seems to have embraced a new country just as his mother has embraced mentorship of the country’s national team.

In fact, the USWNT boss admitted how rewarding it has been for her to be back in America, this time with her son. “I’ve always loved working in America. So for me coming back a second time around, but this time as a mother, has felt all the more special. He loves all the places I love,” she concluded.

It’s great to see that both Emma Hayes and Harry enjoy their time in the States. Hopefully, this break helps Hayes get the much deserved reprieve that she needs to pull herself together. After all, she is the brain and muscle for the USWNT. We cant wait to see her bask in the team’s success at the upcoming SheBelieves cup.