“I think it’s just a full-circle moment,” Ella Masar said while standing inside SeatGeek Stadium. “Emma [Hayes] was down here coaching me, what is it 2008, 2009?” recounted the former player-turned-Chicago Stars FC coach. So it’s no surprise Masar thought of the opportunity to join Hayes’ coaching team for the first of two games between USWNT and Brazil.
Masar was grateful the 48-year-old Olympic gold medal-winning coach chose her to be part of the staff leading Team USA in the historic clash. Yet, there was a good reason why Hayes trusted Masar and the results proved it. Trinity Rodman scored within the first 5 minutes of the first professional women’s sports event at SoFi Stadium. Hayes has revealed big plans while discussing her ex-pupil’s success with USWNT.
“It’s been great to see Ella again. Having drafted her as a young player in Chicago to experiencing how she’s developing as a coach firsthand…” has been a full circle moment for Emma Hayes, too. Hayes also revealed that Ella Masar isn’t going to be her only success story. “I’m really invested in developing female coaches, I’ve made no secret of that,” Hayes told reporters.
The seven-time Women’s Super League title-winning coach has grand plans for women’s soccer in the US. So, Hayes added the Chicago Stars FC assistant coach to the USWNT to help the Masar earn valuable experience in a high-stakes soccer game. It’s something she’ll continue to do “in subsequent camps to give opportunities to other coaches too.”
In fact, Emma Hayes doesn’t just want to help senior or NWSL-level coaches. The Ballon d’Or winner explained looking for opportunities to include even U23 coaches in future camps. Meanwhile, Ella Masar was also grateful to her former coach for giving her a chance to work in the “highest-functioning environment” in women’s soccer. Yet, Hayes isn’t just stopping with the coaches.
Emma Hayes wants to supercharge the growth of women’s soccer
While women’s soccer is making progress like all other women’s sports, it’s not enough for Hayes. Coming from England, where the FA had banned women’s soccer for over half a decade, Hayes believes the sport has lost a lot of ground compared to men’s soccer. That being said, she also believes that the USA could act as the hotbed for that growth.
However, Emma Hayes explained that growth needs to be dynamic ahead of USWNT’s double-header international friendly event against Brazil. While the NWSL is doing its part in helping grow the sport, Hayes believed simply having a “thriving” women’s soccer league isn’t enough. So what is the first thing the English tactician hopes to change?
“We have to start to look at our sport and see it entirely through a female lens,” said the veteran coach. Hayes explained that everything, from “coaches’ education,” to players’ needs, must be studied from a female lens. And in a perfect example of ‘preach what you teach,’ Hayes has started doing her part by helping Ella Masar gain some valuable experience.
Finally, Coach Hayes also believes that leagues should do their best to increase players’ salaries to draw more new talent to the sort. After all, new aspirants will only commit once they know soccer will be the only thing they need to focus on earning a living. So while defeating Brazil in match two of their double-header is her immediate concern, Emma Hayes is only just getting started.
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