VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed staffing updates for the MLS Academy on Thursday, as well as an overall update on the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System.
Vanni Sartini, who joined the club in December of 2018 as a first team assistant coach, has been working full-time in his new role as director of methodology since the MLS offseason began. The club also confirmed the launch of Whitecaps FC U-23, replacing the Development Squad and aligning with the MLS pathway, with Sartini acting as head coach. Once competition resumes, more information on the U-23 team will be made available.
Working under Sartini, Rich Fagan has taken the role of high potential player head coach, focusing specifically on individual player development across all age groups on the path towards the first team, supporting every head coach from U-15 to U-23. Fagan will also be responsible for liaising with head coaches and contacts throughout the nationwide Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System to identify and evaluate players.
In addition to taking on the role of U-17 head coach, Ricky King is also serving as technical coordinator. King is working closely with Sartini and BMO Academy Centres director and head coach Marinos Papageorgopoulos on methodology for academy programs across Canada, concentrating on coach education and a uniform process.
All programs in the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System will use a streamlined data network, including a library of training exercises and tactical principles, as well as logging training, evaluating players, and sharing depth charts for every coach across the country. The platform was developed by Dr. Johann Windt, Whitecaps FC head of data science & performance.
Other technical changes in the MLS Academy include Nick Dasovic becoming U-19 head coach, Dan Fairhurst as U-16 head coach, Michael D’Agostino as U-23 assistant coach, and Mark Eckerle as U-17 assistant coach. As previously announced, current first team player Andy Rose joins the staff as U-19 assistant coach.
| Technical | |
Vanni Sartini | Director of Methodology | U-23 Head Coach |
Rich Fagan | High Potential Player Head Coach |
Nick Dasovic | U-19 Head Coach |
Ricky King | U-17 Head Coach | Technical Coordinator |
Dan Fairhurst | U-16 Head Coach |
Scott Howey | U-15 Head Coach |
Michael D’Agostino | U-23 Assistant Coach |
Andy Rose | U-19 Assistant Coach |
Mark Eckerle | U-17 Assistant Coach |
Dante Marconato | U-15 Assistant Coach |
Raegyn Hall | Academy Head Goalkeeper Coach |
Andrew Foster | Academy & Assistant First Team Video Analyst |
| Operations | |
Dave Irvine | Director, Academy Operations |
Max Corcoran | Academy Administrator & Billet Program Manager |
Brad Smith | Academy Equipment Manager |
Alex Menzies | Assistant Academy Equipment Manager |
Elizabeth Watanabe | Academy Education Manager |
Ryan Clark | Collegiate Transition Manager |
| Sports Science | |
Charles To | Academy Physiotherapist |
Andrew Bell | Academy Athletic Trainer |
Joe Vecchione | Performance Coach |
Matt Baranowicz | Academy Athletic Therapist |
Alex Hodgins | Metal Performance Coach |
For more information on the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System, visit whitecapsfc.com/academy.
