Tom Sermanni has added Omid Namazi as an assistant coach. (Photo copyright Meg Linehan for The Equalizer.)
U.S. women’s national team coach Tom Sermanni has added experience to his coaching staff, announcing Omid Namazi as a full-time assistant coach.
Namazi most recently was the assistant coach of the Iran men’s national team and has extensive experience in the women’s professional game, having guided the Chicago Red Stars through part of the 2010 WPS season and the San Diego Spirit in 2003, when the team qualified for the WUSA playoffs.
“Omid brings significant experience in women’s and men’s soccer, at both club level and internationally,” said Sermanni. “He brings a fresh perspective but with a high degree of knowledge on the players and the women’s game. We’re on the same page philosophically on how we want the team to play and he’ll be a valuable asset to our program moving forward.”
Namazi served as Iran’s assistant from 2011-14, helping the team qualify for this summer’s FIFA World Cup. The Iranian-American played college soccer at West Virginia and played 18 years professionally in both the indoor and outdoor games throughout the U.S.
“It’s a new challenge and an exciting one,” said Namazi. “It’s a great time for women’s soccer in the United States with the NWSL starting its second season, our Youth National Teams getting more and more support from U.S. Soccer and with the 2015 Women’s World Cup on the horizon. I’m sincerely enjoying working with some of the best players in the world and helping work to bring the team to an even higher level.”
