Calgary soccer guru Leon Hapgood hired on to help coach MLS’s NYCFC

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Leon Hapgood is making a serious transfer within the footie world.

A Main League Soccer transfer … that’s.

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After rising to change into one in every of Calgary’s brightest minds within the sport — and definitely an iconic builder of the sport locally over the past 15 years — Hapgood is continuous his upward climb by being appointed the first-team assistant coach of New York Metropolis FC.

Wow!

“Surprising,” mentioned Hapgood, nonetheless seemingly shocked by the chance greater than a month after he was contacted by NYCFC. “I obtained a name from the membership in December as soon as our season (with Cavalry FC) was completed, and it’s occurred fairly rapidly, really — within the final three or 4 weeks.

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“I believe in our world in sport, with what do, we don’t get these calls fairly often,” continued Cavalry’s outgoing assistant coach and technical director. “So it was a call I made with my household. I’ve been right here a very long time, however I believe it was one thing I couldn’t move up.”

The gig comes after success at each the youth {and professional} ranges within the metropolis.

After arriving right here in 2008, Hapgood helped construct the Calgary Foothills FC program to its current-day prominence.

He was a coach with that youth membership for 11 years by means of 2018 earlier than taking on the place of technical director for this system for the following 4 years. Within the final 4 years, he’s additionally assisted Cavalry GM/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. on the sidelines with the Canadian Premier League franchise.

“Leon has been an unbelievable driver of the sport right here in Calgary and Alberta,” mentioned Wheeldon of his lead assistant since 2022. “His creativity, drive and enthusiasm have helped us not solely carry the professional recreation to Calgary but additionally assist take us to new adventures, corresponding to Concacaf Champions Cup. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside him for 15 years, and I’m proud to see his abilities being acknowledged by what he brings to the fantastic recreation.

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“He is a superb coach and a terrific character that I’m certain will do nice in his subsequent chapter within the MLS.”

These elements of the sport have afforded Hapgood this chance of a lifetime with NYCFC, which completed with a 9W-11L-4D report final season.

Wheeldon credit the 44-year-old native of Torquay, England — who performed midfield and ahead in his footie days again in his residence nation — for having helped the Cavs change into 2023 CPL regular-season champions.

Specifically, Hapgood’s set-piece ways and management have stood out throughout his time in Canada’s home professional soccer circuit.

“I can solely assume it’s simply the work finished with Cavalry and my function inside what Tommy wished me to do with our attacking play and set-plays that’s helped me get this opportunity,” Hapgood mentioned. “Your work actually ought to communicate for itself. You place your self out within the universe, after which — hopefully — you get the telephone name.

“And in talking to the employees (headed by coach Nick Cushing) and their sporting director (David Lee) and all people else in New York, they’re additionally in search of sure sort of character to carry into the group, and I believe once I did my interview — once I went by means of the interview course of with them — I believe I ticked a whole lot of containers as regards to that and what I may carry to the group not simply in soccer however simply with my expertise, how I function with my character and the way I work with gamers.”

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Specifically, his work with promising prospects — a giant cause why Calgary Foothills claimed success over time — is loudly lauded by the soccer neighborhood.

“I simply need to get on the grass, particularly with younger gamers,” Hapgood mentioned. “You realize, it’s what I try to do, and I’ve been actually vocal over the over the time period, saying till we modify the infrastructure round us, we will’t give our youngsters an opportunity. And I’ll give hats off to Tommy, who’s actually pushed that from an actual excessive degree.

“Children are coming by means of — not simply at Cavalry however at different golf equipment. And there’s expertise right here. We simply should unearth it and get it on the market. So the place I’ve simply pushed my work actually is simply getting on the grass, ensuring to maintain working with the gamers and hold giving them the beliefs they want.

“New York desires me as part of the teaching wheel — tactically — with what we do with the ball. But in addition they need me to work with younger gamers coming by means of to guarantee that the gamers they’re taking a look at between sure ages which are making an attempt to get into the group. And that’s type of what I’m actually good at, proper?”

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So proper, Coach.

The proof of that’s within the Alberta Soccer award Hapgood’s simply obtained for his service to soccer, particularly with younger gamers within the province over the past 15 years.

Then there’s all these heat fuzzies forwarded his manner as phrase of his departure has filtered all through the neighborhood.

“It’s humorous — I’ve most likely obtained about 50 to 60 messages within the final three or 4 days,” added Hapgood, who expects to depart for NYC within the subsequent week, pending the approval of a piece allow, along with his household — partner Sarah, and youngsters Ellis, Charlie and Dellen — to observe quickly after.

“It’s been actually humbling really, as a result of I don’t assume you notice the affect you’ve gotten till you go, and I’ve been so engrained in it for 15 years right here.

“You type of sit again and also you go, ‘Oh, I did most likely a greater job than I spotted.’”

Different Cavalry alumni to have left the membership and joined the MLS are defenders Mo Farsi — to the Columbus Crew — and Joel Waterman — to CF Montreal.

“I’ve discovered loads by means of my time at Cavalry — the group there and the way in which they run issues is great and the way they’re a really profitable enterprise group,” Hapgood mentioned. “However there’s this thrilling bit to teaching within the MLS and the massive stadiums and the gamers I get to work with now, notably the younger gamers. Additionally from a studying perspective, I’ll be capable to see the distinction between the place the Canadian Premier League is right this moment versus the place the MLS is right this moment and what must be finished nonetheless in Canada to maintain bettering the sport.

“And when it comes to soccer entering into, there’s the chance to be taught an terrible lot about my very own profession and the following steps as I grow old. I believe it’s one thing that anyone would dream.”

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

http://www.twitter.com/ToddSaelhofPM

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