Meet an Austin Rise FC founder: Erin Webb

This is one in a series of first-person articles from founders of Austin Rise FC, the latest Austin-area women's semi-pro team, starting WPSL play in 2023. The Striker invites you to meet the founders at a special live podcast event and USWNT watch party on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Hopsquad Brewing Co. (2307 Kramer Lane, 78758).

 My passion for soccer started when I was four years old. 

In 2nd grade, I moved from Dallas to Denver, and during my childhood, I went to two elementary schools and two middle schools. The most consistent thing in my life was playing club soccer and having childhood teammates as life-ong friends. I was fortunate enough to surround myself with teammates that wanted to compete, play at the next level, and shared the dream of playing professional soccer. 

I was able to check off two of those items off my list. I was able to develop and grow at my childhood club, Real Colorado, which has developed some of the top women’s professional players in the world. And through hard work and dedication, I received a scholarship to play soccer at the University of Missouri, a Division 1 program in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). 

I was a four-year starter, and got my first taste of semi-professional soccer in the summer of 2014. I was between my freshman and sophomore season, and my coach at the time, Bryan Blitz, encouraged me to play for Colorado Rush — my rival club growing up — in the W League. I didn’t realize then that this first taste of semi-professional soccer would be so significant for me. This level is vital for the growth in women's soccer, which I’m now experiencing with Austin Rise FC. 

With most of my childhood dreams accomplished, it was time for me to find a new passion after college. The new passion was not much different — it was a career in sports, but on the business side. I decided to stay at the University of Missouri to get my MBA. But as most collegiate athletes go through after their playing career and when the cheering stops, I experienced an identity crisis. Who am I without soccer? What am I going to do now? 

I was in limbo. I thought about going overseas to play. I talked to a couple of agents, but the general consensus was since I had not played for two years, that my level of play had dropped and there were younger players I’d be competing against for attention. Teams would be taking a risk with me. 

But I could not get away from sports. During my MBA program and graduation, I only applied to sports internships and jobs, which I was not able to obtain. A career in sports is a competitive market, and it's all about who you know. I contemplated becoming a sports agent, and since most sports agents are lawyers, I applied to law school. No luck.

A place for players who 'still got it'

In 2019, after moving to Austin, Texas for a job in tech, I was invited to play pick-up soccer with my new co-workers. I could express myself again and got my competitive edge back, but it was still casual. 

One day at Zilker Park, downtown Austin’s hub for pick-up players, I saw a friend. This friend, a couple of years younger than me,  played for Real Colorado and played D1 soccer in New York. She encouraged me to play for FC Austin Elite. 

I’m grateful for the time at FC Austin Elite, which allowed me to be a founder of Austin Rise FC, and for everything to come full circle. 

Austin Rise is women-owned and player-owned (along with one coach). Even as Rise is starting its inaugural season in the WPSL, I have the opportunity to play. 

My goal for Austin Rise FC is to be a place for players that "still got it." Even though I had been retired for a couple of years, older, and went corporate, with training and an environment to play, I was able to come back. That is what I'm passionate about. 

If a player wants to compete at a high level but took time away, they will not have to hear from agents that there has been a gap since you last played competitively. With women’s soccer growing and expanding, players are on different journeys. You see superstar players undrafted, you see players playing pro after going to NAIA schools, you see players in their 30s with side hustles or careers. Players can come here, clean out the “cobwebs” and have the opportunity to play at the next level and continue their regular lives with no regret or resentment. As a founder, I want to give those players the opportunity. 

I’m living the best of both worlds: Playing at a high level and having a career in sports. With all the opportunities I was denied, I’m left with one piece of advice to pass on to all of you:  When you are denied opportunities, create your own.