TORONTO FC'S COACHES OPEN HOUSE 2015 AND STAFF

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Greg Vanney - Technical Director & Head Coach

Greg Vanney was named the ninth head coach in club history on August 31, 2014.
Vanney originally joined Toronto FC on December 11, 2013 as the club’s assistant general manager and academy director. Vanney holds a USSF “A” Coaching Licence and has been involved with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
Vanney previously held titles of director of soccer operations and director of Real Salt Lake-Arizona Youth Academy at Grande Sports World. It was there that he oversaw program and business development at the Grande Sports World facility. Vanney, Grande Sports World, and Real Salt Lake were responsible for creation of the first MLS Residential Academy in the United States, which began play in the Fall of 2010. Vanney also held a dual role at Chivas USA from 2011-2012 as assistant coach under Robin Fraser and technical director of the youth academy.
Vanney played professionally for 13 years, starting with the LA Galaxy in 1996. During his time with the Galaxy, Vanney helped lead the club to three MLS Cup championship finals, one Supporter's Shield, a US Open Cup Championship and a CONCACAF Champions Cup title.  He was named to the MLS Best XI in 2000 and 2001. Following the 2001 season, Vanney transferred to SC Bastia, of France’s Ligue 1, where he remained until 2005 helping the club reach the Coup de France Final in 2002. He rejoined MLS, signing with FC Dallas and spent two seasons with the Hoops; where he earned two All-Star selections, captaining the 2005 team to a 4-0 victory over Fulham. Vanney was traded to the Colorado Rapids in January 2007, and then to D.C. United later that same season. Vanney rejoined the LA Galaxy in February 2008 and retired at the conclusion of the season. During his playing career, Vanney earned 36 caps and scored one goal for the United States Men’s National team. Vanney was added to the U.S. 2002 FIFA World Cup preliminary squad, but missed the tournament due to injury. He was also part of the U.S. side that won the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Robin Fraser - Assistant Coach

Robin Fraser enters his first season as an assistant coach. He was hired on January 8, 2015.
Fraser spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the New York Red Bulls. With the Red Bulls, Fraser was part of the club’s Supporters Shield winning side in 2013, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2014.
Fraser began his coaching career as the head coach of the RSL Arizona U-17 and Director of Coaching for the Arizona Futbol Club. In 2007, he was hired as an assistant coach with Real Salt Lake. In four seasons with RSL, Fraser was part of the club’s MLS Cup winning side (2009), MLS Supporter Shield Runners-Up (2010), and went on a then-record 29 home match unbeaten streak. Following a successful run at RSL, Fraser was named head coach of Chivas USA on January 4, 2011 and spent two seasons at the club.
Fraser began his professional playing career in 1989 with the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers of the American Soccer League. He moved to the Colorado Foxes where he remained until joining Major League Soccer. Fraser was drafted fourth overall by the LA Galaxy in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft. During his career in MLS, Fraser spent time with the Galaxy (1996-2000), Colorado Rapids (2001-03), and Columbus Crew (2004-05). He was a two-time MLS Cup runner-up (1996, 1999), two-time Supporters Shield winner (1998, 2004), two-time Supporters Shield runner-up (1996, 1999), CONCACAF Champions Cup winner (2000), CONCACAF Champions Cup runner-up (1997), two-time Playoff Conference Champion (1996, 1999) and a four-time Regular Season Conference Champion (1996, 1998, 1999, 2004). Fraser was also a two-time MLS Defender of the Year (1999, 2004), named to the MLS Best XI five times (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004), and was also a five-time MLS All-Star. In addition to a successful club career, Fraser also earned 27 caps for the United States national team.

Nick Theslof - Assistant Coach

Nick Theslof enters his second season as an assistant coach, after joining the first team on August 31, 2014. He began the 2014 season as the Kia Toronto FC Academy U14 head coach.
Theslof’s coaching career dates back to the late 90s when he was assistant coach for Ohio Wesleyan University and won the NCAA Division 3 National title in 1998. Theslof also spent time in the Netherlands playing for the PSV Eindhoven youth squad and was a scout for the German National Team during the 2006 World Cup. Theslof went on to become assistant coach and scout for FC Bayern Munich, and then the technical director and the assistant coach for Chivas USA.
Nick holds a USSF “A” licence and brings both an extensive playing and coaching background.

Dan Calichman - Assistant Coach

Dan Calichman enters his second season as an assistant coach, he was originally hired on September 17, 2014.
Prior to joining Toronto FC, Calichman held a position as the head coach of the men's soccer team at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California (2004-14).  In addition, he coached in the USSDA U18 division for LAFC, Cosmos West and Chivas USA Academy.
Calichman’s professional soccer career spans 12 years. He joined the LA Galaxy in 1996 and was captain of the team for three seasons, earning All-Star recognition in his first season. Following his time with the Galaxy, Calichman played for the San Jose Earthquakes and the New England Revolution. He played for the United States National Team from 1997-98 and was the first American player to play in the J-League, Japan’s professional soccer league. Calichman graduated from Williams College with a bachelor’s degree in history, where he was captain of the college’s Division III soccer and lacrosse teams.
He holds a USSF “A” coaching licence.

 

Jon Conway - Goalkeeper Coach

Jon Conway enters his second season as goalkeeping coach. He joined the first team on August 31, 2014, after spending the previous two seasons as the goalkeeper head coach with the Kia Toronto FC Academy. 
Prior to joining the Academy, Conway had a successful career in Major League Soccer that began with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2000. In five seasons with the Earthquakes, Conway was part of two MLS Cup Championship teams. Conway was traded to the New York MetroStars who eventually became the Red Bulls and remained with the club for four seasons. He’d later join Chivas USA (2009), Toronto FC (2010) and the Chicago Fire (2011). Conway retired as a player at the conclusion of the 2011 season.
Conway spent time as the director of goalkeeping for the Mustang Soccer Club from 2004-2005. He also served as a volunteer assistant coach for St. Peter’s College, where he was part of the school’s first ever at large bid into the NCAA Division I tournament.
Conway holds a NSCAA Goalkeeping Level II Coaching Certification.

 

Jim Liston - Director, Sport Science 

Jim Liston enters his second season as the director, sport science for Toronto FC. He joined the first team on August 31, 2014. Liston previously worked with the Kia Toronto FC Academy at the start of the 2014 season.
Liston brings a highly distinguished work history that involves time as strength and conditioning coach with three MLS clubs, LA Galaxy, Columbus Crew and Chivas USA. He is also the founder and president of CATZ (Competitive Athlete Training Zone) where he developed an entire curriculum and coaches training program. Liston is launching a new department within Toronto FC as he focuses on sport science innovation and helping athletes reach their highest potential.

 

Michael Rabasca - Director, Cognitive Development

Michael Rabasca enters his second season as Toronto FC’s director, cognitive development. He joined the first team on August 31, 2014, after previously working in the Kia Toronto FC Academy at the start of the 2014 season.
Prior to joining Toronto FC, Rabasca was a highly successful academy coach with stints at multiple clubs including RSLAZ Academy. Rabasca also worked with US Soccer as a scout and NSCAA as a consultant to their clubs standards project. His focus at Toronto FC is on cognitive and neuro development in athletes, which combines his work experience as an occupational therapist and his history in soccer. Rabasca’s role as director of cognitive development is the first of its kind in North America.
He holds a USSF “A” coaching licence and NSCAA Premier Diploma.

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TFC II - Jason Bent - Head Coach

Jason Bent was named Toronto FC II head coach on November 20, 2014. He spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the first team. Bent originally joined the team ahead of the 2011 season after spending the previous three seasons in the Academy.
Prior to coaching, Bent started his professional playing career in 1997 with German second division club, FSV Zwickau; where he spent one season before moving to the Colorado Rapids. He spent three seasons with Colorado appearing in over 50 matches and was part of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup finals squad in 1999. His last professional club was Plymouth Argyle in England where he played three seasons. Bent helped Plymouth win the Division Three Championship in 2001-2002, and the Division Two Championship in 2003-2004.  In addition to his club football career, Bent earned 32 caps for the Canadian National Team.
Bent holds both his USSF National “A” coaching Licence and a UEFA B Level 2 coaching Licence.

TFC II - Stuart Neely - Assistant Coach

Stuart Neely was hired as Toronto FC Kia Academy Senior Team head coach and Toronto FC II Assistant Coach on Tuesday, January 6, 2015.
Neely returns to Toronto FC after previously serving as the Club’s Academy Director during the 2011 season. Prior to being named director, Neely joined the Academy at its inception in 2008 and served as the Academy’s manager and Junior Team head coach. Under Neely’s direction, Toronto FC produced six players that transitioned from the Academy to the First Team.
After departing the club at the conclusion of the 2011 season, Neely joined the Vancouver Whitecaps FC as the head of player management and advancement where he remained until July 2013. Neely went on to join New Zealand Football as the head of football development. After his time in New Zealand, Neely joined KW United FC in March 2014. It was there he most recently served as vice president of football and head coach of PDL and W-League teams.
A Canadian ‘A’ Licence coach, Neely’s extensive career in football began as the director of player development for the Ontario Soccer Association (1995-98). He went on to hold roles as technical programs manager for the Canadian Soccer Association (1998-2003), and high performance program manager for the Manitoba Soccer Association (2003-05).

Brian Lee - Director of Rehabilitation 
Dr. Ira Smith - Team Physician 
Carmelo Lobue - Head Athletic Therapist 
Marcelo Casal - Masage Therapist & Acupuncturist 
Shohei Miyauchi - Assistant Athletic Therapist
Shameer Ali - Team Chiropractor 
Shawn Jeffers - Assistant Athletic Therapist , TFC II  

Jamie McMillan - Director, Team Development
Jack Dodd - Director of Scouting Operations
Corey Wray - Director, Team Operations
Ted Tieu - Coordinaor, Team Operations
Jordan Custoreri - Coordinator, USL Team Operations 
Tania Pedron - Executive Assistant
Issa Tall - Coordinator, International Scouting & Academy Coach
Devin Pleuler - Manager of Analytics
Leslie Williamson - Coordinator, Soccer Administration

Mike Masaro - Manager, Media Relations 
Anthony Cozzetto - Coordinator, Media Relations 

Sacha De Almeida - Manager, Equipment Operations 
Frank Russo - Assistant Equipment Manager