⚽0️⃣5️⃣7️⃣ Jessica Silva
By Louis Yeo
Coach Jessica Silva. Photo: Brooklyn FC.
Meet Jessica Silva, head coach of Brooklyn FC and a pioneer whose transatlantic coaching career is rewriting the playbook for women’s soccer, one hat-trick at a time.
The 2024 season of the USL Super League marked the inaugural one for both Brooklyn FC and Coach Silva. A Canadian-Portuguese with Italian heritage, she earned her UEFA coaching license in France and made her professional debut as head coach of FC Metz’s women’s team. She spent four and a half seasons with the club, leaving the team in 2nd place on the table. Currently, Brooklyn FC sits at the top of the league, dominant in a challenging competition.
Coach Jessica Silva discovered her love for soccer through her father, a former footballer who introduced her to the sport at a young age, and grew up within a family who are avid supporters of FC Porto and Real Madrid. While she began her soccer journey as a player, she soon realized it wasn’t her calling. Instead, she started coaching her younger brother, an experience that revealed how meaningful coaching was and sparked her decision to pursue it as a career. Silva advanced her coaching ambitions by earning her UEFA coaching license, becoming the first Canadian woman to do so. She has noted the stark cultural differences between living in Metz and New York, humorously pointing out that France boasts superior cheese and wine, while fully embracing the vibrant lifestyle of New York City. After obtaining her license, she went on to coach US Orléans Loiret Football, FC Metz’s women’s team, and now leads Brooklyn FC.
Coach Silva’s Story
While the overall passion for soccer might be greater in France, the popularity and marketing tactics the United States employs to promote women’s soccer are unmatched. Silva began her coaching journey by first coaching her younger brother, an experience that revealed her true calling. Hailing from the French-speaking city of Montreal, France was the perfect place to launch her career.
Coach Jessica Silva (left). Photo: Brooklyn FC.
For Silva, who is multilingual, communication with players and coaches worldwide enhances her coaching experience and knowledge. The Canadian-Portuguese coach draws inspiration from coaches like Emma Hayes and José Mourinho, weaving their methods into her own philosophy as head coach. Silva initially coached Canada’s national youth soccer teams—the U-15, U-17, and U-20 squads—before transitioning to US Orléans Loiret Football, where her coaching career truly took flight.
After earning her UEFA coaching license—the first Canadian woman to do so—Silva was approached by Brooklyn FC. She described the offer as unexpected, but the organization’s vision as a new USL team convinced her it was a unique career opportunity. New York is renowned for its sports teams, and Brooklyn stands out as an iconic neighborhood within the borough. Brooklyn FC’s home stadium is Maimonides Park in Coney Island; however, early in the 2024 season, a field issue forced the team to relocate to Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium, Columbia University’s soccer field, for the remainder of the season. Coach Silva emphasized the significance of Coney Island to New Yorkers and Brooklyn FC, making it disheartening to play “home” games elsewhere. Still, playing at Columbia didn’t hinder the team’s successful first match. She highlighted the importance of that debut win as head coach, noting how meaningful it was for her family and loved ones. Working closely with her coaching staff, she integrates sports science into team development, leveraging data from training and matches to refine her methods. She collaborates with two French coaches on her staff, with whom she shares a positive history.
Coach Silva’s achievements in the USL cannot be overstated. As the league’s newest team, she understands the critical importance of the inaugural season and the challenges it brings. Her squad has held the top spot and is working tirelessly to maintain that position. She stresses that every team in the league deserves respect, as soccer’s unpredictability—especially during away matches—keeps the competition fierce. All teams vie for the number-one ranking, but with resilient players like Sam Kroeger, Allison Pantuso, and hat-trick scorer Luana Grabias, Coach Silva can count on her roster to deliver standout performances every game. Under her leadership, Brooklyn FC has cast a spotlight on the remarkable women in soccer who are redefining the sport and inspiring the next generation.
The Sports Diplomacy Connection
A Montreal native, Coach Silva was exposed to the French language from a young age, making her decision to earn her coaching degree in France a natural one. Being multilingual offered countless advantages, allowing her to absorb knowledge like a sponge during her time there.
Coach Silva with her players at practice. Photo: Brooklyn FC.
“Being able to learn the methodology and pedagogy from another country is incredibly beneficial, especially as a coach,” she explains.
“Coaching philosophies are truly international, and in my opinion, you need a broad understanding of how things are done everywhere to effectively coach different types of players.”
The lifestyle she experienced in France while coaching Metz was different, Silva noted.
“There’s a passion for football (soccer) in Europe that’s unique because they’re so attached to their clubs—both women’s and men’s. It’s just a different vibe.”
“The partnerships and fanbase attending my matches in the USL have shown me just how much the sport is growing here.”
Thanks to her transatlantic career, Silva has lived the cultural differences between the United States and France as they play out within women’s football. “America has done so much for women’s football, and the love for it is palpable,” she said.
Moreover, she added, “I think the Americans are doing an amazing and phenomenal job from a marketing standpoint. It really encourages people to come watch the matches for themselves.”
Women’s football in France still has room to grow, Silva observed, particularly in marketing. Her experience is that, even though the coaching and player quality are top-notch, it is more challenging to draw crowds to matches in France than in the United States.
When asked about the lifestyle differences between Metz and New York, Coach Silva has quipped that the quality of wine and cheese in France simply can’t be matched by New York City (a sentiment I wholeheartedly share!).
Coach Silva’s journey from Montreal to France to Brooklyn FC is a masterclass in blending cultures, languages, and coaching savvy into a winning formula. Her ability to soak up international soccer wisdom like a sponge—while sipping superior French wine—has transformed Brooklyn FC into a USL powerhouse in its debut season. With a nod to legends like Emma Hayes and José Mourinho, she’s not just coaching; she’s rewriting the playbook for women’s soccer, one hat-trick at a time. Though New York’s sports scene may lack the je ne sais quoi of French fromage, Silva is proving that the Big Apple has plenty of bite when it comes to growing the beautiful game—marketing flair and all. As she keeps her squad atop the league, one thing is clear: Coach Silva isn’t just here to play; she’s here to stay, and she might even convince New Yorkers that their cheese isn’t so bad after all.
Author’s Note: On March 15, 2025, Brooklyn FC will host their home opener of the spring season against Fort Lauderdale United, this time at their home ground of Maimonides Park in Coney Island—a symbol of Brooklyn. Coach Silva and her team will be put to the test this season to determine if they can uphold their number one position in the league and march on into the playoffs for a chance at their first-ever USL Super League title. The two most recent away matches have proven challenging, with the team earning only 2 points in total from games against Lexington and Tampa Bay. However, they hope to maintain the momentum of their unbeaten run of eight matches on home soil. I wish Coach Silva and her team the best of luck, as she has worked tirelessly to deliver success so far, and I’m sure there’s more to come from such a talented and sophisticated head coach. Published March 6, 2025.
Mapping the Connection
From Montreal, Canada to Metz, France, to Brooklyn, New York
Thank you to Brooklyn FC, who have partnered with FranceAndUS for this Voice.
Learn More
[E] “Brooklyn Football Club Appoints Jessica Silva as Head Coach,” Brooklyn FC, September 23, 2024.
[E] Michael Lewis, “A SILVA LINING: Brooklyn FC names Canadian woman its first head coach,” Front Row Soccer, September 23, 2024.
[E] Beth McCowen, “USL Super League side Brooklyn FC announce first-ever women's team head coach,” Sporting News, September 27, 2024.
How to Cite This Entry
Yeo, Louis. “Voices: Jessica Silva,” FranceAndUS, https://www.franceussports.com/voices/057-jessica-silva. (date of consultation).