Washington Spirit Baltimore Armour Announce Coaching Staff
The Washington Spirit – Baltimore Armour club is preparing for the inaugural U.S. Soccer Girls’ Development Academy season that kicks off later this year. The NWSL affiliate welcomes the expertise of the 2016 NWSL Championship finalists as soccer takes the next step of development in the region.
Youth Soccer News: The Washington Spirit – Baltimore Armour of the U.S. Soccer Girls’ Development Academy program has announced its first four coaching personnel for the inaugural 2017-2018 season.
Washington Spirit First Assistant Coach and Maryland Development Academy Technical Director Denise Reddy’s staff will include several coaches who have played at the highest levels in the United States.
“I am very excited to announce the addition of these top level coaches to our Maryland Development Academy staff,” Reddy said. “Every one of these coaches brings expertise and a wealth of coaching experience. We will draw on their impressive amount of pro and international playing experience to create a professional environment within the Academy.”
Bonnie Young, a former professional player and assistant coach with the National Women’s Soccer League’s Chicago Red Stars, will serve as head coach of the Spirit – Baltimore Armour U18/19 team. Young played collegiately at Penn State, before going on to play professionally for the New York Power, New Jersey Wildcats, Sky Blue FC and the Chicago Red Stars. Young has more than a decade of coaching experience, highlighted by a five-year tenure at Monmouth University and eight years as Director of Coaching for Illinois-based youth club Naperville Soccer Association.
Pipeline Soccer Club Director of Coaching Danny Skelton and Pipeline SC co-founder Santino Quaranta will pair up to coach the Spirit – Baltimore Armour U15 side.
Skelton, who has managed Pipeline’s core coaching curriculum for all players ages 7-18 since 2011, will serve as the Spirit – Baltimore Armour U15 head coach. Following a four-year playing career at Towson University and one season with Crystal Palace USA, Skelton has now spent more than a 10 years coaching some of the top players in the Baltimore region.
Quaranta, a former U.S. Men’s National Team player and Major League Soccer standout, will be the Spirit – Baltimore Armour U15 assistant coach. Quaranta was drafted No. 8 overall in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft at 16 years old, becoming the youngest player at the time to enter the league. He scored 25 goals during his MLS career with D.C. United, LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls. He also earned 15 caps with the USMNT.
While coaching at Pipeline, Quaranta and Skelton’s youth teams have hoisted titles in the Maryland State Cup, Disney Soccer Showcase, US Youth Soccer National Championships and other prestigious events.
Spirit first team assistant coach and Spirit Reserves head coach Kati Jo “KJ” Spisak will serve as the goalkeeper coach for all of the club’s development academy teams. Spisak made 20 appearances with the Washington Freedom from 2007-2009 as part of the W-League and the premier season of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). She went on to join Saint Louis Athletic and the Boston Breakers to continue her WPS career. In 2014 she made an appearance on the Spirit’s NWSL roster as a reserve goalkeeper. Spisak played international soccer for the U.S. Women’s National Teams at the U21 and U23 levels. She helped guide the U21 side to a Nordic Cup title in 2004.
The full Washington Spirit – Baltimore Armour coaching staff for the inaugural U.S. Soccer Girls’ DA season will be announced in May.
Washington Spirit – Baltimore Armour Girls’ DA Coaching Staff:
- Technical Director – Denise Reddy
- U18/19 Head Coach – Bonnie Young
- U15 Head Coach – Danny Skelton
- U15 Assistant Coach – Santino Quaranta
- Goalkeepers Coach – KJ Spisak
