U.S. Soccer has promoted two youth national team head coaches on the men’s side of the program.
Marko Mitrović was on Wednesday named the Under-23 head coach, with the 45-year-old taking charge ahead of the team’s preparations for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Additionally, Michael Nsien has been named the new head coach for the Under-19 men’s national team.
The first camp of Mitrović’s tenure will be held during the October international window.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Marko and Michael continue to be an important part of our men’s program as both of these teams serve as crucial steps in the National Team pathway,” said U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker in a press release. “During his time with the Under-19s, Marko was instrumental in guiding our rising talents.
“We’re looking forward to him now leading our Under-23 men’s youth national team as this age group provides these players with an incredible opportunity to continue their development by facing elite opposition on the world stage and competing for an Olympic world title. We’re also confident that Michael is ready to lead our U-19 age group, a critical level for our young players aiming to take the next step in their careers for club and country.”
Mitrović to lead U.S. men’s Olympic team in 2024
Mitrović joined U.S. Soccer in April 2022, taking charge of the U-19 team. He also worked as an assistant coach for the senior team under interim head coaches Anthony Hudson and B.J. Callaghan.
“It’s been an honor working for U.S. Soccer and I’m tremendously proud of the opportunity to lead the USA at the Olympics,” said Mitrović. “I’ve gotten to see first-hand the high-potential players rising through our development system and I’m excited for them to represent their country proudly on such an important stage.”
Previously, Mitrović has worked as an assistant coach for Serbia’s U-20 team, the U-15s at Red Star Belgrade, before arriving in the U.S. as a member of Veljko Paunovic’s staff with the Chicago Fire. Mitrović stuck with Paunovic when the latter was hired by Reading in the English Championship, returning stateside to accept the U-19 men’s post last year.
Nsien, who was an interim assistant under Callaghan during the USMNT’s Gold Cup run this past summer, was hired in November 2022 as the U-16 boys’ head coach. The Oklahoma native spent four years as the head coach of FC Tulsa in the USL Championship, leading the team to playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021.
Nsien’s duties as head coach of the U-19 team will coincide with a role as the head coach of the U.S. men’s team for the PanAmerican Games, which will take place from October 27-November 4 in Chile. The team for the PanAmerican Games must be selected from players born on or after January 1, 2001.
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