His tenure at the highest level was short-lived, as he primarily served as a substitute, and was subsequently loaned out most of the time to the United Soccer Leagues.
Hayes' career rejuvenated when he stayed permanently at the USL First Division, particularly with Atlanta Silverbacks and Portland Timbers.
[1] Hayes attended Charles County Community College, playing on the men's football (soccer) team in 1995 and 1996.
In 2000, he played 10 games with United and also went on loan with the Hampton Roads Mariners of USL A-League before placing him on waivers on November 1, 2000.
[6] During his loan spell at Milwaukee, Hayes managed to score six goals and record six assists that led the Rampage to the semi-finals of the playoff stages, where along the way the club eliminated the regular-season champions Richmond Kickers from the post season.
His efforts helped Atlanta reach the post season for the first time since 2002, and earned himself an All-League First Team selection and was named the USL-1 Defender of the Year.
[11] He played 30 games and scored twice for Portland in 2009, helping the team to post the best defensive record of the season by only conceding 19 goals.
[13] He signed for Carolina RailHawks on May 12, 2010.,[14] and on February 15, 2011, Hayes was named as a player-assistant coach for FC Tampa Bay of the North American Soccer League.