Emma Hayes’ NWSL road trip: Humanity, humor and a lot of hugging
As Emma Hayes wrapped up her cross-country NWSL road trip, the United States women’s national team coach made it clear the journey was about far more than tactics or roster decisions. Somewhere between fan meet-and-greets, a visit to Disneyland, local food discoveries and the ribbon-cutting ceremony for U. S.
Soccer’s new national training center, there is a deeper reason she set out on an unusually public and transparent scouting trip. “You know, menopause changes a lot,” Hayes said before Gotham clashed with Boston Legacy at Sports Illustrated Saturday night, using a deeply personal reflection to explain why she has embraced visibility throughout her time on the road. “ And by that I mean I want to experience and lead the sport in the way that it’s intended to do.
I believe in visibility with that and role modeling. ” Whether discussing the female lens in coaching, stopping to engage with supporters or openly talking about joy and belonging in the sport, Hayes framed the weeks-long NWSL trip as more than a scouting mission for the 2027 World Cup cycle. It became, in many ways, a traveling manifesto for the culture she wants surrounding the USWNT.
“My goal is simple,” Hayes said. “I want to lift the game up as much as I can. I want to create opportunities for others to thrive and flourish.
” Hayes hit the road after a successful trio of games with the USWNT at the end of April. U. S.
Continue to the original source for the full article.