After the NWSLPA launched the #NoMoreSideHustles campaign on Thursday in a push for fair compensation, many current and former NWSL players have taken to Twitter to detail their experiences.
North Carolina Courage forward Jessica McDonald revealed that she used to work at Amazon packing boxes during 10 hour workdays. She would also train others and herself whilst raising her son.
I once worked at Amazon packing boxes during 10 hour days on my feet. Head to train younger girls in the evening. Train afterwards myself. All of this while raising my son. #TheStruggleIsNotfake https://t.co/iddWNQkLxj
— Jessica McDonald (@J_Mac1422) July 23, 2021
Bella Bixby – who has had a breakout season so far – revealed that she’s often coached on the side, did ride-sharing and food delivery through Uber her rookie year, and even had to live with her parents for a year while playing in the NWSL.
And I was lucky—rare that a player plays in their home city where they can rely on family to help. So many players have to choose between chasing their dreams and quitting immediately after college.
— Bella Bixby (@bellageist) July 23, 2021
Emily Menges detailed that all of the eight years that she’s played she’s worked at least two jobs during the season. “I’ll fight like crazy so the players who come next can just play soccer,” she wrote.
All 8 years I’ve played in the NWSL, I’ve worked at least 2 additional jobs during season. I’m eternally grateful for those employers who understood and worked with my schedule, but I’ll fight like crazy so the players who come next can just play soccer. #NoMoreSideHustles
— Emily Menges (@em_menges) July 23, 2021
Former Washington Spirit forward Tiffany Weimer, who currently plays overseas, said “it would have improved my mental and physical health to focus solely on playing.”
As much as I loved ALLLL the work experiences I had while I was playing, it would have improved my mental and physical health to focus solely on playing. This is much much needed. Good stuff @nwsl_players ! https://t.co/oXDB156A4M
— Tiffany Weimer (@TiffanyWeimer) July 22, 2021
Haley Carter, former Houston Dash reserve goalkeeper, tweeted that she worked so much “that the NWSL was the side hustle.”
In case you’re wondering, this is what that looked like. 📷: @Beeyoncs pic.twitter.com/0O2FaPDAxk
— Haley Carter (She/Her) (@H_C_Carter) July 22, 2021
Houston Dash defender Gabrielle Seiler detailed her experiences working at OrangeTheory her rookie year and waking up at 3:30 a.m. “just to try and make extra money to live, while trying to be a professional and go to practice after.” Seiler tore her ACL that year, causing her to miss the 2018 season.
I remember multiple days working at @orangetheory in the morning, training in the afternoon and then coaching for 2 hours at night. I quickly realized that wasn’t sustainable. That year I ended up tearing my ACL. Obviously that is not the only reason, but I remember being tired.
— Gabrielle Seiler (@gabby_seiler) July 22, 2021
Caroline Stanley Means tweeted out that “professional athletes, regardless of gender, shouldn’t have to work 2, 3, and 4 jobs to support themselves.”
Yael Averbuch West, former Seattle Reign FC defender and current executive director of the NWSLPA, said that herself and her teammates did “all kinds of crazy things to make ends meet” and that the old “reality” of women’s professional soccer “needs to change.”
So many of my friends and teammates and I did all kinds of crazy things to make ends meet. Many players still do. The old “reality” of women’s pro soccer needs to change. #NoMoreSideHustles https://t.co/i10vnDAKr7
— Yael Averbuch West (@Yael_Averbuch) July 22, 2021
Despite the 2-1 final result, Portland Thorns’ goalkeeper Bella Bixby was a brick wall in the Thorns’ win Sunday night.
She came just short of earning her third straight shutout thanks to Marisa Viggiano’s 95th minute goal, but still set the record for most shutout minutes to start an NWSL regular-season career at 269 minutes.
Bixby broke Emily Boyd’s previous record, set at 264 minutes.
After tonight’s match, Bella Bixby set the record for most shutout minutes to start an NWSL regular-season career.
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) July 19, 2021
More #BytheNumbers here: https://t.co/49w0dAgUdm | #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/sKvz6ks2vj
In a response to the Thorns’ tweet, Bixby credited some of her success to the defense, calling the back line “special.”
This back line is special! We wish we could’ve nailed down the shut out tonight, but we got a must-have 3 points. Thanks so much rose city, as always, you are the best there is 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹#BAONPDX
— Bella Bixby (@bellageist) July 19, 2021
Bixby made her first NWSL regular-season appearance on July 3 against Racing Louisville, earning the clean sheet. She did so again against Gotham FC on July 11 to become one of three goalkeepers in NWSL history to earn two straight shutouts to start their NWSL regular season career.
The Thorns are back in action Saturday, July 24 against the Houston Dash at 8:30 p.m. ET.