Angel City FC appoints Mark Parsons as its new sporting director and general manager, marking the first major personnel move under new ownership. Parsons brings extensive experience in both domestic and international soccer, with a proven track record of success in the NWSL. He takes on the responsibility of leading all aspects of soccer operations, including coaching, scouting, analytics, performance, and player care.
Angel City FC has finally appointed a leader in the front office, welcoming Mark Parsons as its new sporting director and general manager. Parsons takes the reins of all soccer operations, overseeing the technical staff, scouting and analytics department, performance, nutrition, and player care. He reports directly to ACFC co-founder and president Julie Uhrman.
Uhrman expressed her confidence in Parsons's experience, both domestically and internationally, stating that as the club enters 2025 with a state-of-the-art performance center, Parsons will be instrumental in driving their culture and championship aspirations. Parsons' arrival marks the first significant personnel move under the new ownership led by Willow Bay and Bob Iger, who acquired ACFC for a record-breaking $250 million in July 2024. Parsons acknowledged the honor of joining Angel City, praising its trailblazing and ambitious spirit. He expressed his gratitude to the ownership group and eagerness to collaborate to build upon the established foundation, stating his focus on fostering a culture of excellence, development, and unity that will propel ACFC to new heights.Parsons boasts an impressive and respected track record in the NWSL. After honing his coaching skills at Chelsea, he embarked on his NWSL journey with the Washington Spirit in 2013 before transitioning to the Portland Thorns in 2016. During his six successful seasons with the Thorns, Parsons achieved significant success, winning four trophies: the NWSL Championship (2017), two NWSL Shields (2016 and 2021), and the Challenge Cup (2021). He holds the unique distinction of being the only head coach to have won all three major NWSL trophies. In 2022, Parsons transitioned to the international stage, taking the helm of the Netherlands women's national team. Following a quarterfinal exit at EURO 2022 after coaching 18 matches and securing 10 victories, he stepped down from the federation. He returned to D.C. as the head coach of the Spirit in 2023, leading the team to a 7-9-6 record but narrowly missing the playoffs by a single point. His tenure with the Spirit was short-lived, as he was subsequently dismissed.Parsons joins ACFC at a pivotal moment. The club endured a disappointing 2024 season, finishing 12th and missing the playoffs by eight points. In December, the club parted ways with both GM Angela Hucles Mangano and head coach Becki Tweed. Adding to the complexities, Hucles Mangano and Uhrman faced suspension from the NWSL for the year following violations of salary cap rules, resulting in a three-point deduction for ACFC. Parsons' initial priority will be to appoint a new head coach. His subsequent focus will be on evaluating the existing roster and implementing strategies to elevate ACFC's standing within the NWSL. Despite facing challenges, ACFC possesses significant talent and star power, including players like Christen Press. Achieving greater consistency and balance within the roster will be crucial for the team's success. Moreover, Parsons will need to navigate the emotional context surrounding the team's return for preseason and the regular season in March. The devastating wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles over the past week have claimed the lives of 25 people and destroyed 12,000 structures. This tragic event will undoubtedly impact the team's spirit and preparation for the upcoming season.
Angel City FC Mark Parsons Sporting Director NWSL New Ownership Head Coach Roster Professional Soccer Los Angeles
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Angel City FC signs French forward Julie Dufour to 3-year contractDufour, 23, scored 19 goals in 41 appearances with Paris FC. She made eight appearances with the French national team last season.
Read more »
Mark Millar's Vatican City: A Vampire Apocalypse ThrillerMark Millar teams up with artist Per Berg for Vatican City, a new survival horror series from Dark Horse Comics. Set in a world overrun by vampires, the story follows the survivors trapped within the Vatican as they fight to hold out against the undead hordes.
Read more »
Mark Millar & Per Berg's Vatican City for Netflix & Dark Horse ComicsIt's always worth remembering how the Netflix Millarworld deal goes. Mark Millar creates ideas, as work-for-hire, for Netflix. And then he is allowed to adapt those pitches into comics. whether they get made as shows or films or not.
Read more »
Mark Spears' Monsters #3 Gets 239% Orders Of Mark Spears' Monsters #2Bleeding Cool learns that comic book publisher Keenspot has received pre-orders from Diamond Comic Distributors for Mark Spears Monsters 3 of 37,572 copies, an unheard-of 239% increase from pre-orders of 2, which itself increased 29% from 1. Mark Spears Monsters 3 is scheduled for release on January 29th, with a cover price of $5.
Read more »
Angel City's Anderson Gets First USWNT Call-UpAngelina Anderson, goalkeeper for Angel City FC, has been selected for her first training camp with the US Women's National Team. This opportunity arises following Alyssa Naeher's retirement, paving the way for Anderson to compete for the starting goalkeeper position.
Read more »
California Wildfires: Angel City's Ali Riley Loses Home in Devastating BlazesAngel City defender Ali Riley's home was destroyed in the raging California wildfires. Over 130,000 people have been evacuated as the fires spread rapidly, fueled by strong winds. The club expressed its gratitude to firefighters and urged fans to stay safe.
Read more »