Sounders Women Hire New Coach

Sounders Women have plucked an old adversary to lead them into the 2013 season.

Photo: Whitecaps FC

Hubert Busby Jr. was recently coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps Women and alluded to that past in a club release:

“Having competed against the Sounders, the games were always competitive,” Busby said.

“Although we were fierce rivals there was always a mutual respect for each other. The Sounders organization, as a whole, has set a benchmark for soccer in the Northwest.

Their Sounders supporters groups are also the most passionate fans in the country. I look forward to meeting the infamous Jet City Auxiliary.”

Busby, an experienced pro coach and former Jamaican National Team player, takes over for Michelle French. The club and French mutually agreed to release her from contract in order to pursue youth coaching passions and a role with the USA U-20 National Team.

He added:

“I am both pleased and honored to be joining the Sounders Women organization. It is a club with a great history and reputation for developing players.”

Rest of Sounders Women Release

Busby brings over 13 years of coaching some of the highest levels of women’s soccer in North America.  His resume features contributions to every woman’s professional league in the United States (WPS, W-League and WPSL Elite) over the last decade. Most recently he has been involved with the Western New York Flash (NWSL), and the Vancouver Whitecaps Women. He has also served as a National Training Center coach in Canada.

Michelle French said about her successor, “Hubert is a great hire for the Sounders Women. He has had an impact on a number of different coaching levels. His previous coaching experiences and knowledge of the landscape of women’s soccer will be a tremendous asset to the Sounders Women organization”

Not only will Busby provide insights from his coaching experience, he also played professionally for club and country for 12 years. As a player, he spent time with Telstar FC (Holland), Toronto Lynx, Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps, Oxford United, Crystal Palace (UK) and Caldas Sport Clube (Portugal). He was also a member of the Jamaican National Team during FIFA World Cup qualification in 2002.

Hubert Busby Jr. said, “Although club philosophies may vary, one key ingredient is common in all successful clubs; it’s the people involved.  I will use my past experiences to create an environment that allows for input and shared responsibility. Everyone has a role to play if we are to achieve our goals.”

Busby will act as Head Coach for the Sounders Women and also oversee General Manager. He will work with Technical Director, Lesle Gallimore to recruit players and grow the Sounders Women brand in the community.

“We’re thrilled to add Hubert to our staff. His professionalism and enthusiasm for the job has bread success everywhere he’s been,” said Executive Director, Jon Billings. “Between Hubert and Lesle Gallimore, we have an incredible amount of coaching acumen, management experience, and player recruiting networks to lead our team.”

Busby began his professional coaching career in 2003 with the Ottawa Wizards, where he led them to a Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL) title. In 2004, he lead the team to the league championship again and an undefeated season. In 2005 Busby was named the Head Coach for the Toronto Lynx of the USL First Division.

Busby has coached at the highest level of the women’s game, playing an integral part in the Los Angeles Sol of the WPS, winning the Regular season title in the league’s inaugural season. Having seen soccer throughout the world and various leagues, his style of coaching is a melting pot of ideas.

“My mentality for managing players is that they will be supported and encouraged to express themselves on the field,” Busby said. “With empowerment comes responsibility. That’s one of the main things we will try to develop and enhance in our younger players.”

From 2009-2011, Busby was the Women’s Director of Coaching for the Vancouver Whitecaps, and W-League head coach. In 2010 Busby led the Whitecaps to the W-League final and was named W-League Coach of the Year. His team had great battles against the Sounders Women in those two years.

“Having competed against the Sounders, the games were always competitive,” Busby said. “Although we were fierce rivals there was always a mutual respect for each other. The Sounders organization, as a whole, has set a benchmark for soccer in the Northwest. Their Sounders supporters groups are also the most passionate fans in the country. I look forward to meeting the infamous Jet City Auxiliary.”

Busby has a B.A. in sociology. He also holds a USSF “A” license and NSCAA Premier Diploma.

Following numerous conversations over the last few months between club and coach, Hubert and the Sounders Women share goals for the future of the famous Sounders Women franchise.

Busby said, “The goal for this season is to continue being a club that connects with its fans and community by playing a brand of soccer that epitomizes what it means to be a Sounder. We will look to maintain the lofty standards from previous years and set our sights on the post-season.”