Orlando City SC’s new coaching staff has added to its staff with the addition of assistant coach Sean McAuley, the club announced on Aug. 2.
The 46-year-old joins the ninth-place Lions after most recently serving in a similar capacity for the Portland Timbers for the past six years. He helped Portland to the 2015 Major League Soccer Cup title.
“We are very pleased that Sean has joined us,” Lions General Manager Niki Budalic said, per the team’s press release. His experience in Major League Soccer, coupled with his existing relationship with [Lions Head Coach James O’Connor], makes him the ideal candidate to complement our existing staff.
“We look forward to him joining us next week.”
Before moving to Portland, McAuley held the position of academy director of Sheffield Wednesday FC in Sheffield, England, for seven years. McAuley and O’Connor were both with the club from 2008 to 2011.
“I am delighted join Orlando City SC and excited to work toward achieving success for the club and its supporters,” McAuley said, per the release. “I have known James for many years, first as a player and then as a coach. I know that he has tremendous passion for the club and excellent leadership qualities, and I’m looking forward to working with him again.
“I also look forward to getting to know everyone in the Orlando City family and hope my experience of winning an MLS Cup with my Portland colleagues will help build more success for Orlando City and [their] amazing supporters.”
Like his new head coach, McAuley enjoyed success as a player, too. He played for 15 years, was a Manchester United FC youth product and even joined Portland for 16 games in 2002 during its minor-league days.
McAuley ultimately retired in 2005.
The Lions return to action on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. when they host the sixth-place New England Revolution in a race to make the playoffs.
For more on the Lions, as McAuley makes his transition to Central Florida, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com, or you can tweet at him.
