Bermudian International and Six-year MLS Veteran Joins Club for Inaugural Season
Soccer News: Orlando Pride’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team welcomes Khano Smith to its coaching staff as an assistant coach prior to the club’s inaugural season.
Khano is a six-year Major League Soccer (MLS) veteran and Bermudian international.
“Khano comes to us with tremendous experience across many levels, including professional play, youth development and broadcasting,” said Orlando Pride head coach Tom Sermanni. “His experiences on and off the field are an important piece of the puzzle to help prepare the team for a positive 2016 season.”
“This is an exciting time for professional women’s soccer, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside some of the league’s most promising players and accomplished coaching staff,” said Smith. “My goal is to help Tom build a competitive squad and make a strong impact on their professional development.”
Smith, 34, arrives to Orlando after registering a 19-1-1 record (.929 winning percentage) during his first season as an assistant coach with the Southern New Hampshire University men’s soccer team in 2015.
In addition, Orlando Pride’s newest coaching staff member brings plenty of on-the-field experience. The former left-winger appeared in 100 matches for the New England Revolution in six years, scoring eight goals, including the late game-winning goal against the MetroStars that led his team to the MLS Conference Championship in 2005. Smith also played one season with the New York Red Bulls in 2009 and English side Lincoln City in the 2009-10 season.
The two-time NSCAA All-American is one of Bermuda’s most famous soccer players, having played for the national team from 2003 until 2011, finding the back of the net ten times in 32 appearances.
Off the field, Smith has served as a postgame analyst for the New England Revolution with Comcast Sports New England. Additionally, he has worked with the Revolution as a Youth Development Player Coordinator as well as a scout for the first team.
