ORLANDO, Fla. (January 24, 2017) – Orlando Pride has hired Lloyd Yaxley as its newest goalkeeper coach, the Club announced today.
“With Lloyd we are bringing on board one of the most respected goalkeeping coaches in the country. After a very successful spell with Washington Spirit he has been heavily involved in the US WNT at both senior and U'23s levels and will bring a wealth of women's soccer knowledge to our team,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “I would also like to thank our inaugural goalkeeper coach Marcos Machado for his contribution to the Pride in season one. Marcos is a consummate professional and a very popular member of our team. We’d like to thank him for everything he has done for both the Pride and the Orlando City organization.”
“I couldn't be more excited to be joining Orlando Pride and the world class Orlando City organization. I want to thank Tom Sermanni for giving me this amazing opportunity to help bring an NWSL championship to the city of Orlando,” Yaxley said. “I'm eager to get to work with our goalkeepers and to see them having success in front of our fans, in our new stadium."
Yaxley joins the Pride after four seasons with the Washington Spirit where he oversaw the development of current Orlando goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris from 2013-15 and the team qualified for the postseason in each of the last three seasons. Last year, Yaxley coached Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé, who went on to win a bronze medal with Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Prior to joining Washington, Yaxley was a coach for D.C. United Women and also served as the Director of Goalkeeping and Sr. Director of Coaching for Prince William Soccer Inc.
A native of Essex, England, Yaxley joined the U.S. U23 Women’s National Team coaching staff during the team’s Istria Cup win last year in Croatia. In addition, Yaxley has coached the U18’s and U23’s at multiple camps, and was also called to assist the full U.S. Women’s National team’s two matches against Romania in November 2016.
Yaxley holds both a USSF B coaching license and an NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping diploma.
Before coming stateside, Yaxley oversaw goalkeepers for Chelsea FC affiliate P.A.S.S. and enjoyed a playing career with multiple overseas clubs.
