January 11, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Angel City FC News Release
LOS ANGELES – Angel City Football Club (ACFC) today announced the hiring of Lee Nguyen as assistant coach as well as the promotion of Eleri Earnshaw from assistant coach to first assistant. Nguyen will join Earnshaw and Technical Assistant Coach Mykell Bates on the staff under Becki Tweed in her first full season as the club’s head coach.
“We’re happy to announce these staffing changes ahead of our upcoming season,” said ACFC Head Coach Becki Tweed. “Lee has an incredible playing background as well as solid coaching experience that will be a great addition to our existing staff. I am also thrilled for Eleri, as this promotion is so well deserved. Her support and expertise have been invaluable and I am excited to build on everything we did last season as we head into the 2024 season.”
“We strive to have the best supporting staff for our players and for Becki in her first full year at the helm,” said ACFC General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano. “Having coaches that players greatly respect and want to play for elevates this team and will lead us to another successful season.”
Lee Nguyen comes to the club after spending a year as an assistant coach with the Kansas City Current. Prior, he had a two-year stint with the Washington Spirit, including the team’s NWSL Championship win in 2021.
Nguyen’s playing career took him to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Vietnam in addition to appearing in over 250 MLS matches. He made his US Men’s National Team debut in 2007 and was rostered for several matches, making his final appearance for the team in October 2015. His nine-year MLS career began with the New England Revolution in 2012 and includes an 18-goal season in 2014, an MLS record for a midfielder; that made him a finalist for the league MVP. He was named team captain in 2016 and was ranked fifth in the league in overall goals before being traded to LAFC in 2018 where he won the 2019 Supporters Shield. Nguyen is no stranger to expansion teams as he was selected to Inter Miami FC the following year before returning to New England to conclude his time playing in the US.
“I’m looking forward to returning to Los Angeles and joining Angel City FC,” said Nguyen. I’m excited to begin working with the rest of our technical staff and players and to rejoin this incredible soccer community.”
Earnshaw has been with the club since its inaugural season in 2022, when she began as a performance…