The Women Coaching in the NWSL Right Now
The NWSL consists of ten teams that are made up of seriously talented soccer players. These amazing women are paving the way for future generations of young soccer players, yet they are still struggling with gender inequality in their sport. However, the players are not the only ones dealing with inequality. Their coaches do as well. Female coaches at the professional level are definitely increasing in numbers, but they are not as prominent as male coaches. Here’s a look at the women coaching in the NWSL right now and how they are setting up for future generations of female coaches.
Laura Harvey
OL Reign hired Laura Harvey as their head coach after her stellar campaign as the head coach of the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team. Harvey led the U-20’s through a seven-game unbeaten streak and was supposed to bring her squad to the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, but the pandemic canceled the tournament.
Additionally, Harvey assisted the Senior U.S. National team alongside Vlatko Andonvoski in the Tokyo Olympics. She previously spent seven seasons as a head coach in the NWSL with the Utah Royals FC and Seattle Reign FC. Laura Harvey is definitely not a stranger within the coaching world, and her success with U.S. Soccer and the NWSL makes her more than a qualified head coach.
Becky Burleigh
Becky Burleigh leads Orlando Pride as an interim Head Coach after a 26-year career at the University of Florida. Burleigh tallied 513 career wins with the Gators, including an NCAA Championship, two NCAA College Cup appearances, and is a four-time SEC Coach of the Year. Her consistent success at Florida has helped land her position in the NWSL with the Pride.
A female head coach at the collegiate level is huge as college coaches are predominantly male. Making a big step from Division I College soccer to the NWSL is definitely an adjustment, but she will hopefully land a full-time role with the Pride with her success.
Freya Coombe
Gotham FC enters their debut season with their new team name led by Head Coach Freya Coombe. As a former New York Soccer Club Director of Scouting and Development Academy coach, Coombe has now worked her way up to the NWSL. Coombe played for five years at Reading FC in England, where she also was the Director of Coaching and Team Manager.
Since her time with Gotham FC, Coombe has advanced to the 2020 Challenge Cup Semi-Finals and 2021 Challenge Cup Final. Her experience and success with Gotham FC do not go unnoticed, and they are currently ranked fifth in the NWSL standings.
The Lack of Women Coaching
The lack of female head coaches in the NWSL is definitely an ongoing issue, as there are only three female coaches amongst the ten clubs. Whether it is the lack of applicants for the head coach positions or male head coaches having a better and longer track record, the NWSL can definitely use a few more females in charge. As this is an obvious issue in the NWSL, two teams will be joining the professional league, and they will definitely bring the much-needed female head coach energy.
Angel City FC, out of Los Angeles, will make its debut in 2022. The team’s ownership group consists of female celebrity investors who encourage women’s inclusivity in leadership positions. Additionally, there will be a Sacramento expansion team making their debut in 2022 with their club out of San Diego. Former U.S. Women’s National Team coach Jill Ellis has obtained the president position, and Head Coach Casey Stoney will lead the team. Stoney will increase the female head coach ratio in the NWSL, bringing her international experience to the league.
The future of females in the NWSL and the soccer world is growing, and the opportunities for women in positions of power are increasing. The future is bright for female soccer players and coaches.
Featured image via @orlpride on Instagram
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