Coach Megan wears many hats in Arizona soccer—serving as Director of Coaching for Thunderbird FC, head coach for the 2017 Boys, Assistant Athletic Director at North Phoenix Prep, and Summer Camp Director for Coerver Coaching – Arizona. She’s also made her mark in ODP, leading the 2009 Girls to a Far West Region Championship in 2025. A USSF National “C” License coach and former U.S. Women’s Deaf National Team player (2002–2013), Megan earned two gold medals on the international stage. Her leadership and passion continue to inspire the next generation of players.
1. What inspired you to first get involved in soccer, and what keeps you passionate about it today?
I started playing when I was 9 years old with Sereno Soccer Club. Soccer was an outlet and passion for me growing up as I am deaf thus soccer allowed me many opportunities that (at the time) were not accessible to marginalized communities. I was able to play college soccer at both PVCC then at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. While at BAC I was recruited and played for the USA Deaf National Women’s Soccer Team starting in 2003 and won 2 gold medals at the 2005 and 2009 Deaflympics.
I started coaching full time in 2008 and am still passionate about it today as I have seen the growth of women’s sports in general from when I was a kid to now (I used to help coach summer camps back in high school and college). Being able to leave a lasting impact on each kid I coach, helping each kid become the best version of themselves on and off the pitch and continuing to build the game at the grassroots level is what makes me love being a coach. Also, showing women that they can lead, they can be strong, they can push the boundaries and advocate for themselves is something I take pride in.
2. What does leadership in soccer mean to you personally?
Leadership to me extends beyond the pitch as I look to advocate, empower and help continue to work on equity within the sport especially for women. Leadership should inspire and encourage younger generations of players (especially female) while using a holistic approach. Also leadership is a collaborative effort with other stake-holders in the sport (i.e. other coaches, administrators, and parents) to help to continue to grow the game and to continue to work on equity and access for not only females but to marginalized communities.
3. What’s your standout moment either as a player, coach, administrator or in another role?
As a player (and one of the original members) winning the gold medal in 2005 and 2009 at the Deaflympics as a part of the US Women’s Deaf National Team.
As a Coach there are many; however, the most recent one would be leading the Arizona 2009 Girls to the Region 4/Western Region Championship for Tier 2 this past January at the Far West Region ODP Championships.
As an Assistant Athletic Director at North Phoenix Preparatory Academy starting their girls high school program back in 2023 and continuing to build the program each year as a coach/AD and watching each one of the players grow on and off the pitch.
4.If you weren’t actively participating in the development of youth soccer, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
This is a tough question!
I would find other avenues to which I can continue to advocate, empower and work on equity for women and people in marginalized communities in all environments, professions, etc.
5.What are you most excited about for the future of women’s soccer?
The continued push to have females in leadership positions at all levels of the sport. Then these women continuing to advocate for themselves and for their teams, colleagues, etc to which women are of equal footing as men in all avenues of the sport (i.e. pay, access) as well other areas of society.
6. Who has been the most influential person in your soccer journey, and why?
As a coach and understanding of the game, it would be Les Armstrong (now with SC del Sol). He was able to see past my deafness and treated me as a person while instilling a love for the game plus cultivating an understanding of the game as a player and a coach.
As a strong female role model, it would be Deb Marquez (Owner and Director of Coerver Coaching- Arizona and Hawaii) as she leads by example when it comes to female leadership, understanding of how to build female coaches and players plus pushing back against structural inequities.
7.If you had to form a 3v3 team of past and present female soccer players, what would be your pick?
Kristine Lilly, Lucy Bronze and Megan Rapinoe
8.An angel investor has offered you $1m to grow the game of women’s soccer, how would you invest this money?
I would invest it to which funds go to hiring female leadership into positions that were historically only male, creating opportunities that were not available to females before at any level, growing the game at all levels to which all women and marginalized coaches have the opportunity to attain what their goal might be.
9.Can you share a piece of advice for the future generation of women who are passionate about a career in soccer?
Never settle! Keep working and honing your craft. Do not let someone tell you “No” or settle for lesser-than. Know your worth, keep pushing and advocating for yourself and your peers and be the best woman that you can and want to be!
10.You have been offered the following options to leave as your lasting legacy in soccer? What option would you pick?
Be the highest goal scorer for the USA Women’s national team
Win an Olympic Gold but lose the World Cup on Penalties.
Become the most valuable player in the history of women’s soccer with a transfer value of $100 million.
11.If you could be remembered for one contribution to the game, what would it be?
Empowering women and marginalized players to advocate for themselves and to continue to push for equity and freedom within the game. Also, to have any former player come back and say “Thank You” for helping them be the best the version of themselves and for teaching them how to navigate life on and off the pitch.
12.What’s one change you would love to see in women’s soccer in the next 5 years?
Continued advocacy and fight for equity across the world regardless if its a national team (aka Spain) or club teams within their respective countries. FIFA giving more resources and acknowledgment to the women’s side of the sport.
13.If you could play a match anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Emirates Stadium… huge Arsenal fan!
14.If you could switch places with any player ‘past or present’ for a day, who would it be?
Probably Mia Hamm or Michelle Akers as they are the fore-runners to the current push for recognition, access and equity within the game. I understand where they were in their “time” as it was the same for me when I played for the Deaf National Team; no one knew about the team, how good we were, had to pay our own way and not recognized by USSF until the last 5 years as a National team.
15.If you could invent a new soccer rule for fun, what would it be?
Good question!… maybe a shot from outside of the penalty box/18 yard box that is finished on a 1-touch finish equates to 2 goals instead of one.
16.What’s a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
As I mentioned above.. I am deaf and have 2 gold medals!
17.What song would you choose as a soundtrack to your life right now?
I’m a huge Linkin Park fan and the song “Faint” has been my go-to song for years… message of the song is being seen and heard after being ignored and dismissed for a long time; which to me reflects my journey in life as not only a deaf woman but as a soccer coach.
18.What’s your favorite quote?
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg