Emma Klein is SU’s “fourth coach” despite injury break

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Syracuse defender Emma Klein entered last season ready to play a key role. After starting all 18 of SU's games in 2022, she worked all summer to improve and entered her junior season confident.

But Klein's season ended abruptly on August 24, 2023, when she was substituted due to injury 52 minutes into SU's third game of the season, a 2-1 loss to Auburn. She has not played a game since.

A mild hamstring strain sidelined Klein for the rest of the season, a season in which the Orange had plenty of bad luck with injuries. The defender said she would be fully fit again in December 2023 after her hamstring strain. Almost two months later, another break and recovery was looming. This one would be much longer and more strenuous.

Her right Achilles tendon was torn.

“It was challenging to sit there and think, 'Oh, I have to do that again,' but this rehab is going to be so much harder than my hamstrings,” Klein said of her recovery from her torn Achilles. “But I believe everything happens for a reason. So I've taken that motto with me through this rehab.”

Recovery is still underway, but in the meantime, Klein has become a “fourth coach,” according to Nicky Thrasher Adams, head coach of the Syracuse women's soccer team. Klein has taken players, especially younger players, aside and given them tips on how to better approach certain game situations.

“(I) tell them, 'Hey, maybe next time you should make this move and move into this space,'” Klein said. “So I just give them tips and tricks on what the coaches look for and what would make them better players in the long run.”

Klein's new role is something the team can't live without, Adams said. Adams points to the respect Klein commands from her teammates and Klein's evolution from someone who could lead with actions to someone who can now lead with words.

Last year was Klein's first extended time on the sidelines in her varied sports career. At age three, Klein began playing soccer and dancing. Klein's mother, Stacey Klein, described her daughter as an active child who preferred running around to playing with dolls.

Around this age, Klein also began playing catch with her father, Joe Klein, in the basement. They used a plush ball the size of a softball. They stood 20 to 30 feet apart and Joe would throw the ball as hard as he could at Klein. She caught it every time.

In high school, Klein played soccer, basketball and lacrosse. During her sophomore year, she realized soccer was “her love” after joining the Western New York Flash – a youth soccer development program.

“She went to this team that was a little bit outside of her comfort zone,” Stacey said. “It showed us that she was serious and really wanted to do everything she could to become the best player she could for college.”

Since the beginning of high school, Klein knew she wanted to play a college sport, but wasn't sure which one. During a basketball game during Klein's senior year, her team faced top-ranked Cardinal O'Hara in Amherst, New York. Although Amherst lost 72-57, Klein scored 27 points, 13 rebounds and seven steals.

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“It was something like, 'She's a DI basketball player, but she chose to play football. I don't even want to watch her play football because she must be scary good,'” Joe said.

During the recruiting process, Adams was impressed by Klein's understanding of the key components of a strong center back: her “combative nature,” her aerial dominance and her high soccer IQ.

When Klein chose Syracuse, she was two hours away from her family, allowing her parents to attend nearly every home and away game. After her injuries, this proximity also allowed Klein to lean on her parents during her recovery.

“Whenever I need something or I'm feeling down, I call them and they cheer me up a little and tell me how proud they are of me and how far I've come and how hard I'm working,” Klein said.

Klein was also able to confide in her teammates, saying that the numerous injured players from last season formed a team that supported each other in their individual recovery.

“We were able to do rehab together, share our feelings and keep each other updated,” said Klein. “It was great to have this group of people who are going through a similar development and have similar mindsets and thought processes.”

As Klein works her way back to full fitness after tearing her Achilles tendon, she has documented each milestone with photos and videos that she sends to her parents. Her surgery took place on February 15. In mid-March, she took off her boot and walked for the first time. On June 20, she ran on an underwater treadmill for the first time. In early August, she ran for 30 minutes straight and made some soccer passes. On August 24, she turned around and attempted a shot on goal.

While a return date is unclear, Klein is taking it one step at a time, doing what she can to help a SU team that is four games into its best start to a season since 2016.

“I just took on a new role on the team and I'm embracing it with all that comes with it, even though it's not my first choice,” Klein said. “I'm still grateful for the opportunity to stand on the sidelines, cheer on my teammates and watch them do incredible things.”

“It was a different role, but a good one.”