The United States Men’s National Team has entered the decisive stretch of its 2026 World Cup campaign under Mauricio Pochettino, with the Round of 36 already navigated. As the tournament co-hosts look to prove they can compete with the very best worldwide, attention turns to Tuesday’s high-pressure Round of 16 meeting with Belgium at Seattle Stadium. Behind the scenes, one staff member’s role has stood out within the squad’s demanding technical setup.
Sílvia Tuyà Viñas, currently the only woman in the team’s working group and the first officially registered female coach in USMNT history, serves as the Strength and Conditioning Coach. Her job is to ensure the players hit peak physical readiness at precisely the right time.
Tuyà brings advanced academic credentials to the position, holding a PhD in Sports Science. Her background also includes teaching Physical Education at the University of Barcelona, as well as notable experience with Levante Badalona in Liga F, Spain’s top division for women’s football.
Her appointment in a central, high-profile role within a major men’s national team is being viewed as a landmark moment for women aiming to reach influential positions across global football. A specialist in the tactical and physical demands of tournament football, Tuyà—who is fluent in English, Spanish, and Catalan—has helped keep the group performing at an elite level while limiting injury risk through a gruelling group-stage schedule. With the knockout phase now underway, her preparation work remains at the heart of the campaign, tasked with getting key figures such as Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Christian Pulisic ready to handle the relentless physical expectations that come with the sport’s biggest stage.
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team has long attracted attention not just for its performances, which have cemented its status as a true global power, but also for pushing for equality throughout the sport’s governing structures. One important turning point came from initiatives championed by players such as Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, focused on equal pay, which helped secure improved terms for salary parity with their male counterparts.
Against that backdrop, Tuyà’s role carries even greater weight. It reflects ongoing efforts in the United States to create a more level playing field for women working in football, while also highlighting their growing presence in leadership positions that shape elite teams from the inside.
