Arsenal Ladies assistant becomes inaugural coach of Women’s Pro Soccer Team 

by Dan Gaichas

CHICAGO, IL--Chicago’s Women’s Pro Soccer Team now has a head coach.  Former Arsenal Ladies coach Emma Hayes was named the new head coach and director of soccer operations for the new Women’s Pro Soccer team in Chicago due to start play in April 2009 at Toyota Park. 

Hayes, 31, was academy director and first team assistant coach at Arsenal Ladies for three seasons.  In that time, Arsenal Ladies have dominated the women’s game in England winning the FA Women’s Premier League and the Women’s FA Cup three times each (2006-2008) as well as the 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup.

Part of her responsibilities as first team assistant for the Lady Gunners included planning, organizing, conducting, and evaluating all aspects of professional women’s soccer including coaching games, running training, recruiting players, and scheduling. 

Prior to joining Arsenal Ladies, Hayes was a head coach at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY and the W-League’s Long Island Lady Riders (2001-2003).  Hayes was named National Coach of the Year in 2002 with the Lady Riders and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year with Iona in 2004.

Chicago WPS general manager Marcia McDermott said that Hayes’ experience with Arsenal was an important factor in her hiring.

“Emma has succeeded at every level she has coached,” said McDermott.  “We feel she has the right experience, the passion and the knowledge to be a great leader for our club.  She is prepared to take on the challenge of building a professional team from the onset.

“Emma has worked with one of the most successful soccer clubs in the world and is prepared to work with the elite professional player as well as to assemble a complete roster.  Her knowledge of international, as well as US players, will be a real asset in creating our team.”

For her part, Hayes saw this as a special opportunity and was attracted by the city and the organization.

“(The WPS) will be the best league in the world, with the greatest players, the best facilities and the biggest challenge.  All of that will make this league the rest of the world will watch,” said Hayes.

“The quality of the people involved in the Chicago team, their proven success, the magnificent stadium and the tradition of soccer support here give me confidence that we will be able to create a good environment that will position us for success on and off the field.”

The London native has already become a fan of the city’s soccer culture as well.

“In the little time I’ve spent in Chicago, I’ve found it to be a modern, progressive city with passionate soccer fans,” said Hayes.  “I’ve already met several of the Fire’s supporters and I am hopeful that the environment they create in Section 8 for the Fire can be replicated for our team and our home games.”

Friday is the last day you can vote to “Name the Team.”  The three finalists remaining are Red Stars, 1871, and Wind.  You can go to www.chicagoprowomenssoccer.com to cast a last-minute vote.  The team will begin play at Toyota Park in April 2009.