Heather O’Reilly Shaping the Future of Como 1907’s Women’s Squad

Heather O’Reilly doesn’t do anything halfway. She didn’t when she was winning three Olympic gold medals. She didn’t when she helped the U.S. Women’s National Team to a World Cup title. And she certainly isn’t now, as she takes on the role of advisor for Como 1907’s women’s team. “Winning breeds winning,” she says—a mantra that’s carried her through decades of success and is now driving her mission to build a winning culture at Como.

Known to fans and teammates simply as HOA, Heather has done it all. She’s the eighth most-capped player in U.S. women’s football history and spent years as one of the sport’s most relentless competitors. She has a storied playing career that includes stints at clubs like Arsenal, Sky Blue FC, and North Carolina Courage. But don’t expect her to rest on her laurels. “You can only look back so much,” she says. “Here we are, moving forward.”

Moving forward is exactly what brought Heather from her native New Jersey to the shores of Lake Como. Heather is here to mirror the fairytale rise of the Como 1907 men’s team. Following the historic ascent of the men’s team from Serie D to the pinnacle of Italian football in Serie A, the stage is now set for the Como 1907 Women to embark on their own journey from underdog to champion.

After a stellar season in the Promozione championship, where they amassed an impressive 58 points, achieved 19 victories, suffered only two defeats, and secured one draw, the Como 1907 women’s team scored 85 goals and conceded just 11. These extraordinary stats clinched them first place and promotion to the Eccellenza championship

This season under Heather’s guidance Como 1907’s women’s team is aiming to top the Italian football’s fourth tier. “The goals were very clear: promotion as quickly as possible. It’s no secret to the players or the coaches.” she says.

Her approach is no-nonsense and rooted in her own story. At 18, Heather broke her leg and missed out on a chance to represent the U.S. at the 2003 World Cup. For most, that would be devastating. For Heather, it was fuel. By 2004, she was standing on the top of the podium at the Athens Olympics. Resilience isn’t just something she preaches—it’s baked into her DNA.

That’s the mentality she’s instilling at Como 1907. “In this very first year, we are working on moving the team from a semi-professional mindset to a professional one,” she explains. It’s a shift in mentality, culture, and ambition. 

As she guides Como 1907’s women’s team, she’s balancing the urgency of immediate results with a longer-term vision. “It’s about taking baby steps quickly,” she says, whether it’s improving the squad’s performance, building its culture, or challenging old biases about women’s football. Heather is laser-focused on making her team better, stronger, and ready for the challenges ahead.

Taking this role might seem unconventional to many, but Heather has never been one to take the obvious path. Why choose a fourth-tier side rather than a top-flight powerhouse? That’s exactly the kind of challenge she thrives on. Heather’s always been about building something bigger than herself—whether it was helping women’s football in the U.S. reach new heights or creating a professional environment at Como that can carry the team into Serie A.

For Heather, this isn’t just another job. It’s a calling. “I am grateful for my career,” she reflects, “but now it’s about what’s next.” And what’s next is creating a team that not only competes but wins.

Whatever happens next, one thing’s for sure: Heather O’Reilly is already making her mark on Como. If history is anything to go by, this is just the start of something extraordinary.