Former Long Island Lady Riders head coach Emma Hayes was named to the women’s coach ballot of The Best FIFA Football Awards.
She is one of eight candidates for the award.
The seven others:
* Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil
* Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic
* Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan
* Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City
* Jonatan Giráldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
* Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
* Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea
Hayes, who directed the W League team in 2022, guided the U.S. women’s national team to the Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
The 48-year-old coach took over the reins of the USWNT in May after directing Chelsea FC to the Women’s Super League title in England. She directed only two USWNT matches before she chose the Olympic squad and coached two more games before the team departed for France.
The Americans won all six games in France, including all three of their knockout matches by 1-0 results. They defeated Brazil in the gold medal match.
Hayes, who hails from England, has an 11-0-1 record as USWNT head coach, entering the team’s final two matches of the year, in England on Nov. 30 and at the Netherlands on Dec. 3.
In October, Hayes named Ballon d’Or as the Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year.
To vote for Hayes or any other candidate, visit: