Episode 191. Amanda Duffy – Past President, Louisville City FC (Football Club)-soccer
Amanda Duffy’s desire to break boundaries and her competitive spirit to succeed drive her daily.
Named the Louisville City FC president in November 2015, Amanda had previously served as the club’s Vice President of operations and general manager.
She saw the club reach the Eastern Conference Final in those roles and boast the league’s second-highest average attendance.
Her rapid promotions – she was promoted to General Manager in three months and named President within a year – are even more remarkable in a league where women as senior executives are rare.
Amanda worked for almost eight seasons in various league management roles, which included strategic planning, league management, player registration, and coordinating referee development and assignment to the league’s teams.
As a player, she held multiple school records at East Carolina University. She played three seasons after college in the Women’s League, the USL’s highest level of women’s soccer in the U.S. and Canada, winning one national championship and three division championships. She also played in Sweden’s 1st Division for one season with Danmarks IF.
Her skills on the soccer field resulted in her induction into East Carolina University’s Sports Hall of Fame. In 2016, she was named to Louisville Business First’s Forty under 40, a group of top achievers under 40.
Since this interview was filmed, Amanda accepted a role as managing director of operations for the National Women’s Soccer League.
Amanda Duffy is recognized for her significant contributions to professional soccer in the United States, particularly in the context of women’s soccer. She has held various prominent positions within the sport, contributing to its growth and development.
Critical aspects of Amanda Duffy’s career in soccer include:
- Leadership Roles in Women’s Soccer: Duffy has been involved in leadership roles in women’s professional soccer. Her roles have included positions within the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women’s professional soccer in the United States.
- NWSL Involvement: In her time with the NWSL, Amanda Duffy served in several capacities, including as Managing Director of Operations and later as President. Her tenure saw her play a crucial role in the league’s operations, growth, and efforts to enhance the profile of women’s soccer in the U.S.
- Club Level Experience: Before her involvement with the NWSL, Duffy also had experience at the club level. She worked with Louisville City FC in the United States Soccer League (USL), contributing to the club’s operations and success.
- Advocacy for Women’s Soccer: Duffy is known for her advocacy for women’s soccer, working towards improving the standards, visibility, and viability of the sport in the United States. This includes efforts to enhance the professional environment, increase commercial opportunities, and promote equality and sustainability in the sport.