Scott Vallow Returns as Assistant Coach for Western New York Flash
WNY Flash welcome back Scott Vallow for the 2016 NWSL season as return to the club where he started his professional coaching career. Vallow served as assistant coach under newly appointed head coach Paul Riley with the Portland Thorns and also held coaching duties for USL side Rochester Rhinos.
Soccer News from WNY Flash: The Western New York Flash announced today that Scott Vallow will return to the club as assistant coach ahead of the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League season.
A native of Modesto, California, Vallow joins the Flash from NWSL side Portland Thorns FC, where he served as an assistant under new Flash head coach Paul Riley during their 2015 NWSL campaign.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Vallow back with the Flash,” said Rich Randall, WNY Flash General Manager. “He’s connected to the brand, the ownership group, staff, and the community. This is a complete win all around for the organization. His experience working with Paul Riley makes it that much more seamless for us to accomplish our on-field goals as well.”
Vallow’s coaching career began in 2011 with the Flash as an assistant coach when the club joined the Women’s Professional Soccer league as an expansion team. The club went on to win the regular season title as well as the WPS Championship in a penalty kick thriller against the Philadelphia Independence coached by Riley. He remained with the Flash through 2013, helping the club to a WPS-Elite title in 2012 and becoming the NWSL Shield Winners in the inaugural season in 2013.
“I’ve got a lot of great memories in WNY and I’m looking forward to being back,” said Vallow. “I’d like to thanks the organization for the opportunity. I’m very excited to get in town and get to work.”
In 2012 and 2014, Vallow also had coaching duties for the Rochester Rhinos of the United Soccer League. His 2012 stint with the team included a first-place finish and a trip to the division final in the postseason. His return in 2014 saw a sixth-place finish in the regular USL Pro season and another postseason run.
Before coaching, Vallow played 12 professional seasons in both Major League Soccer and the United Soccer League. He was allocated as a member of Project-40 to the Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer in 1999. He then signed a contract with the Rochester Raging Rhinos and became the immediate starting goalkeeper for the team.He led the Rhinos to back-to-back A-League Championships in 2000 and 2001, while receiving A-League Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2000.
In 2002, Vallow spent time between a myriad of teams in both USL and MLS including the New England Revolution, the Dallas Burn, and the Rochester Rhinos. He then moved to MLS with the Colorado Rapids and stayed with the club until after the 2004 season. Once again, he returned to the Rhinos and served as captain.Vallow announced his retirement from playing professional soccer in January 2011 to focus on coaching.
The Western New York Flash will open the 2016 season on Saturday, April 16 at reigning champion, FC Kansas City. The Flash will begin its home campaign on Friday, April 29 against the Washington Spirit at Sahlen’s Stadium.
Source/Photo Credit: WNY Flash
