Women’s soccer has accelerated in popularity and is expected to rank as the fifth-largest sport in the world by 2030. Since its inception, the sport has successfully worked to carve its own legacy and authentically establish itself. What could stain that authenticity is using ChatGPT to research safe strategies rather than risking thrilling innovations.
While featuring as a guest on a podcast, Seattle Reign Football Club head coach Laura Harvey admitted to using ChatGPT to research new play styles against other teams. This confession is especially startling, given Harvey’s near-golden track record. During her 11-year career in the National Women’s Soccer League, Harvey has led her teams to the most wins out of any coach, won three shields and was named Coach of the Year three times. She has also managed Arsenal and the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team.
Harvey prides herself on being analytical, having educated herself when her teams could not afford experts. After so much experience, it is a mystery why Harvey felt the need to resort to a chatbot for coaching advice.
One day, Harvey asked herself, “I wonder if ChatGPT could give you information about [soccer] and it would be beneficial.” After questioning the bot about identity and what strategies would work against teams, Harvey said, “[It] went, ‘You should play a back five.’ So, I did. No joke, that’s why I did it.” Harvey conducted further research and ran the defensive formation against a competitive team. Harvey has implemented the back five ever since.
While the Reign outperformed their 2024 season this year, they fell short of their prior success. This season, the Reign landed a playoff spot in fifth place, but lost their first matchup against the Orlando Pride.
It is uncertain what the future holds for the Reign after rebuilding in 2024; however, that future should not involve artificial intelligence standing in as a coach. A chatbot may synthesize information and give an acceptable response, but it could never create something new out of any sport. ChatGPT will only pull from past strategies, and innovation will be lost in the sport.
If AI had been used from the start, modern soccer’s dynamic play styles would never have taken shape. The now-popular False Nine, which emphasizes playmaking and fast maneuvers, would have remained in the shadows. If AI had its way, soccer could never move past recycling old styles. That is why ChatGPT suggested the back five; it is safe, well-established and difficult to counter, but without change, the game goes stale.
Harvey’s use of ChatGPT is disheartening when she has consistently pushed for and boasted authenticity. Harvey builds bridges with her players by being authentic.
“It doesn’t matter if you are me, however I operate, or if you are the complete opposite of me, but what you need to be is consistent, and be authentic and to be able to live life through your authenticity,” Harvey stated. “I think really being authentic to who you are and what you believe in on and off the field is really powerful, especially working with women.”
Using AI detracts from that authenticity because nothing can replicate a person’s experiences and perspective. Its intelligence and creativity are by definition artificial, nothing more. As women’s sports continue to grow into the future, little could be more dangerous than embracing a system that worships the past. AI needs to be separated from sports; only then can this stain be washed away.
