Former youth international Toni Pressley has been appointed as the new head coach for the US women’s under-18s national team.
She becomes the second head coach on the youth programme to have represented the USA in the age group in which she is coaching, and the first head coach in the youth programme’s history to have represented the USA in a youth Women’s World Cup.
“I’m truly honoured and excited for the opportunity to represent the US Soccer Federation in a coaching capacity,” said Pressley in a statement. “As someone who came up through the program as a youth player, I have a sincere appreciation for what it means to wear the crest and how important these years are in the lives of our young players.
“Getting to work with Tracey Kevins and all of my fellow YNT coaches is a full-circle moment that I’m deeply grateful for. I look forward to contributing and evolving in an environment that fosters both learning and growth.”
“We are excited to have Toni join our coaching team,” added Tracey Kevins, US Soccer’s head of youth women’s national team development. “The under-18 age group is a key milestone for our young female players, offering both top talents and late developers a crucial step on the pathway to our senior women’s national team.
“Toni has lived the experience our players will be having and will be well-equipped to assist our players in maximising their potentials.”
Pressley will be working in a team headed by Kevins and guided by senior national team head coach Emma Hayes, and liaising closely with under-19s head coach Carrie Kveton and under-20s head coach Vicky Jepson, the former Liverpool manager.
Toni Pressley – her career so far
Pressley has most recently worked as assistant coach at UMF Afturelding in Iceland’s second division, and worked with their youth sections too. She has also coached in schools and clubs in Florida, her home state, where she also went to college at Florida State University.
Her playing career included NWSL spells with the Washington Spirit, Western New York Flash, Houston Dash and Orlando Pride, and W-League appearances with the Boston Renegades and the Washington Freedom Futures, as well as time in Russia with Ryazan VDV and in Australia with Canberra United.
At international level, she featured in the 2010 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
She becomes the first black head coach in the youth programme’s history.
