Lynn Lo Giudice’s journey in soccer began with coaching alongside a friend and grew into a meaningful leadership role at Phoenix Rising FC, where she now oversees girls’ and boys’ teams in the Southeast Valley, mentors new coaches, and helps coordinate programs. She describes soccer as her purpose and sees the soccer community as a way to give back by creating belonging, confidence, and opportunity for young players. Much of her work has focused on building and strengthening girls’ soccer programs, with a strong commitment to inspiring female athletes and removing financial barriers that keep underprivileged players from accessing the game. Lynn credits her late coach Mariano Albano and mentor Derek Yen for shaping her path, and her vision for the future is to see women’s soccer continue to grow in visibility, support, and global impact.
1. Can you share your journey into your current role?
I started my journey with my friend Becky, who first pushed me into coaching our daughters. That experience sparked my passion and set me on this path, where my dedication has continued to open doors. While this field can be challenging, especially as a female in a male-dominated industry. I’ve been fortunate to have strong support from directors, coworkers, families, and players. Through it all, I remind myself that I do this especially for my female players and 3 daughters, they inspire me to keep pushing forward, even through difficult times.
I currently lead the Southeast Valley Central area at Phoenix Rising FC, overseeing both girls’ and boys’ teams of different ages, mentoring new coaches, and coordinating programs to ensure team continue to thrive. I am excited to see what my future holds!
2. What does being a part of the soccer community mean to you?
Being part of the soccer community means having the opportunity to give back what the game gave to me growing up. My purpose is to provide my players with a sense of belonging and purpose in their lives, all centered around the beautiful game of soccer.
3.If you weren’t actively participating in the development of youth soccer, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine doing anything else, soccer is life! This path found me, and I truly believe it’s what I’m meant to do.
4.Who has been a role model or mentor for you in this space?
A major role model for me has been my late coach, Mariano Albano. I often say he lead me into this path of coaching soccer. He was exceptional at what he did and deeply committed to the growth of female soccer in Arizona. He inspired me to give back and make a difference in the lives of young female players, just as he once did. I owe him a lot of credit! My mentor is Derek Yen, our Phoenix Rising Southeast Valley Director. Derek has taken me under his wing and shown me the ins and outs of this industry. He has also placed a great deal of trust in me, giving me opportunities to lead and grow, which has been incredibly valuable to both my development and sense of purpose.
5.What initiatives, programs, or events have you been part of that made a real difference?
I have spent a great majority of my career building and strengthening girls’ soccer programs and teams. Through this work, I’ve been able to create more opportunities for young female athletes, helping them develop not only as players but also as confident individuals. Being part of that growth and seeing the impact on their lives has been incredibly meaningful.
6.How do you inspire others especially young women and girls to get involved in soccer?
I inspire young women and girls to get involved in soccer by networking and sharing the many benefits of the game. Once they join, it becomes my role as their coach to foster their growth by building genuine connections and creating a culture of respect, belonging, and confidence. I strive to make soccer both fun and challenging, helping them push themselves, see their progress, and take pride in their accomplishments. My goal is to help them discover not only their skills on the pitch, but also their inner strength, resilience, and a genuine love for the game.
7.An angel investor has offered you $1m to grow the game of women’s soccer, how would you invest this money?
If I were given $1 million to grow the game of women’s soccer, my first priority would be supporting underprivileged female players. There is a large population of talented athletes we are not reaching due to limited resources and lack of funding. Financial barriers should never stand in the way of a player reaching her full potential. By removing these financial barriers, we can give more girls the opportunity to play, develop, and succeed in the game.
8.If you could watch a match anywhere in the world, where would it be?
My ultimate dream is to one day watch the Italian National Team play, no matter where it is. I know that when this day comes I’ll be overwhelmed with emotions and will probably cry with pure happiness.
9.What’s one change you would love to see in women’s soccer in the next 5 years?
I would love to see women’s soccer continue to grow and strengthen its presence on a global stage, building on the momentum we are already witnessing. Expanding opportunities, visibility, and support for female players worldwide will be key to the game’s continued progress.
10.Favorite motivational quote or mantra?
My favorite motivational quote that I keep close to my heart is, “Find the space and accelerate” by Coach Lynn Lo Giudice. I first started saying this in the context of soccer, but over time I’ve found it applies to many other areas of my life as well. You will commonly hear me say this to my players and children.
11.Best book, movie, or TV show about soccer you’ve ever seen?
The best soccer show of all times is Ted Lasso, hands down!
12.What’s your favorite piece of soccer gear or memorabilia you own?