Emma Hayes challenged soccer to view itself through a female lens. This is what she’s built
Change for Emma Hayes and the U.S. women’s national team started in the locker room. After winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, they took stock of the national team program by surveying players and staff. They asked questions like: What was working in their program? What could be done better? And, most importantly, what needed to happen next? It quickly became clear to the U.S. head coach and…
The story of Emma Hayes and the U.S. women's national team began in the locker room after their victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The team conducted a survey of players and staff to assess the program and identify areas for improvement. This led to a realization that the U.S. needed to "create a world where the female lens is at the heart of all we do."
This vision has been embraced and extended by Hayes and her team over the past two years. The HerLens Conference, held in Atlanta, is a testament to this commitment. The conference gathered hundreds of stakeholders from across American soccer, including those at the youth level and professional leagues, to discuss how to view the sport through a female lens.
The conference was the culmination of Hayes' and U.S. Soccer's efforts to advance girls' and women's soccer. The female lens approach encompasses various aspects, including players' daily schedules, injury recovery, and hotel locations. Coaches, such as Bart Caubergh and Tash Patel, have adapted their methods to incorporate this perspective.
The women's national team has implemented this approach since the beginning of Hayes' tenure, creating a safe space for players to discuss sensitive topics. U.S. soccer legend Crystal Dunn praised the team's openness and progress.
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