Women’s Soccer Research: Why Better Evidence Matters

On October 1, 2026, U.S. Soccer’s Kang Women’s Institute launched herLENS, a research consortium designed to close the gaps in what we know about women and girls in soccer. It matters because much of the sports science that shapes how girls train was built on research with male athletes. Better evidence on injury, puberty, the menstrual cycle and why girls quit the game should lead to better coaching at every level.

What Is herLENS?

According to U.S. Soccer’s announcement, the herLENS Research Consortium connects researchers, practitioners, players, leagues and organizations across all competitive levels of the sport. It is supported by Lyda Hill Philanthropies and will run for an initial two-year period.

The consortium has three focus areas:

• Align and prioritize: identify the most important female-specific research questions and standardize how data is collected.
• Generate: build new evidence by connecting expertise and data on women’s health and performance.
• Translate: turn that evidence into practical tools and resources for people working in the game.

herLENS builds on two studies already under way. The Hers to Play: Girls’ Dropout and Retention Study looks at why girls aged 8 to 18 stay in or leave soccer. The Women’s Performance Insights Study, run with the University of North Carolina, explores how female health and performance data is collected and used in soccer environments. U.S. Soccer also says a herLENS Starter Kit is coming, with guidance on inclusive spaces, puberty, menstrual cycle management, nutrition and reducing injury risk.

Georgie Bruinvels, senior director at the Kang Women’s Institute, said in the announcement: “Through the herLENS Consortium, we’re bringing researchers together with players, practitioners and leaders who experience the game every day.” Researchers, practitioners and players can register interest through U.S. Soccer’s Soccer Forward website.

Where the Kang Women’s Institute Came From

The institute was launched within U.S. Soccer in December 2025 with funding from Michele Kang, the owner of the Washington Spirit. Fortune reported that its research would cover areas such as injury recovery, return to play after pregnancy, the effects of the menstrual cycle on performance and best coaching practices for youth girls’ soccer.

The Research Gap for Female Athletes

The need is real. A widely cited 2021 study, “Invisible Sportswomen,” reviewed more than 5,000 sport and exercise science papers published between 2014 and 2020. Women made up only about 34% of participants, and just 6% of studies included female participants only, compared with 31% that studied males only. In other words, much of what coaches have been taught about training load, recovery and injury prevention was developed and tested on men.

Three areas stand out for anyone working with girls.

ACL Injuries

Female soccer players suffer anterior cruciate ligament injuries at much higher rates than male players. NBC News, reporting on the Kang Women’s Institute, cited figures showing female players are two to eight times more likely to tear an ACL. Researchers still debate the reasons, which may include anatomy, hormones, movement patterns, training history, fatigue, footwear and playing surfaces. That uncertainty is exactly why better female-specific evidence is needed.

The Menstrual Cycle

Many players feel that their cycle affects energy, mood or performance, yet the research on how and how much is still limited and often inconsistent. Until the evidence is stronger, the most useful thing coaches can do is create an environment where players feel comfortable raising it, and adjust individually rather than applying blanket rules.

Growth, Maturation and Dropout

Puberty changes girls’ bodies quickly, and players of the same age can be years apart in physical development. Early or late maturation can affect coordination, injury risk, confidence and selection. It is also a stage when many girls leave sport, which is why a study like Hers to Play, looking at why girls stay or quit, could be so valuable for clubs.

What This Means for Youth Coaches Now

Coaches do not need to wait two years for results to act on what we already know. Here are practical steps:

• Use a structured warm-up every session. Neuromuscular programs such as the FIFA 11+ focus on landing, cutting, balance and strength, and are a simple, low-cost habit for every team.
• Coach landing and changing direction. Teach soft knees, hips back and knees tracking over toes in fun, game-based ways.
• Think about maturation, not just age. Be patient with players going through growth spurts, avoid judging talent too early and manage training load when a player is growing fast.
• Talk openly. Make it normal for players to tell you when they are tired, sore or not feeling right, including during their period. Practical touches, such as access to restrooms and darker shorts if players want them, make a difference.
• Keep it fun and keep the ball. Girls who enjoy practice and feel competent with the ball are more likely to stay in the game. Ball mastery, small-sided games and 1v1 play build that competence and confidence.

Good coaching starts with understanding the player in front of you. That idea runs through the Coerver Coaching approach to coach education, and through our Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma 1 review. For more on the bigger picture, see the pyramid of player development and our article on the role of the soccer coach.

A Quick Checklist for Your Next Season

1. Build a 10 to 15-minute injury-prevention warm-up into every practice.
2. Track growth spurts and adjust load for players who are growing quickly.
3. Ask players, privately and regularly, how they feel physically.
4. Follow U.S. Soccer’s herLENS updates and use the Starter Kit when it is released.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is U.S. Soccer’s herLENS?
herLENS is a research consortium launched on October 1, 2026, by U.S. Soccer’s Kang Women’s Institute and supported by Lyda Hill Philanthropies. It aims to close research gaps in women’s soccer and turn evidence into practical tools.

Why are female soccer players more likely to tear an ACL?
Researchers point to a mix of possible factors, including anatomy, hormones, movement patterns and training history. The causes are not fully understood, which is one reason female-specific research is a priority.

What can youth coaches do right now to support girls?
Use a structured injury-prevention warm-up, consider growth and maturation when planning training, keep communication open about how players feel and make practices fun and ball-focused so girls stay in the game.