Emma Bayer is an 11 year old who will be doing a recurring interview series for Backline Soccer. You can find more out about how Emma got in to soccer here.

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We move from our last interview with Ashley Hatch who has one year of professional experience, to a player with quite a bit more, Yael Averbuch. Yael has been a member of Sky Blue FC, the Washington Spirit, Western New York Flash, FC Kansas City (now Utah Royals) and now the Seattle Reign as well as playing in Russia & Sweden. 

Birthdate: 11/3/86

Nickname from teammates: YaYa

Hometown: Upper Montclair, NJ

Age started playing: 7

College/major: UNC, psychology

Career aspirations after soccer: Continue to grow the business I started, Techne Futbol. And help influence player development on a larger scale.

Why did you pick your particular uniform #: Well, Sydney Leroux actually asked me if she could have my old number (14) to have the same number as her husband Dom Dwyer. So I said yes and #10 was an open number so I took it!

Pregame meal: I love eating breakfast as a pregame meal. So, toast, eggs, fruit and yogurt!

Workout music: old school techno

Favorite cartoon character: Cat Dog

Fave movie: Remember the Titans

Fave actress: Keira Knightly

Hidden talent: I can rap a couple really fast Busta Rhymes songs, shhhhh

Mentor (in soccer or life): my dad

Fave charity/cause: To Write Love on Her Arms

Life motto: Pursue your dreams with every ounce of your being, and above all, love the journey.

Superstitions: I try to avoid them because I get VERY superstitious when I start

Pets: a dog named Ajax

If you were going on Amazing Race, which teammate would you want as a partner, and why? Becky Sauerbrunn because she’s as crazy/competitive as me if not more.