Colorado Springs, CO (December 12, 2020) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced today that the club has appointed Brendan Burke as the third permanent Head Coach in club history.
Burke joins the Switchbacks FC with extensive experience in the USL Championship and Major League Soccer after winning the Supporters' Shield in 2020 with the Philadelphia Union as the club's Head of Recruitment Operations. The Supporters' Shield is awarded to the team with the best overall record throughout the regular season in Major League Soccer, which Philadelphia earned with 47 points from 23 games in 2020.
"I’m excited to join the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC community and appreciate the opportunity that the Ragain Family and Dean Weidner have provided to build on the foundation of the club and drive the team to the next level," said Burke. "We look forward to welcoming all of our fans to Weidner Field, I’ve seen many venues around the country and this is truly a stunning new stadium that will be a recognizable landmark for the USL. This is an exciting time for my whole family and the start of a new era for Switchbacks FC and Professional Soccer in the Olympic City."
The Massachusetts native also has experience in the USL Championship with Bethlehem Steel FC, now known as Philadelphia Union II. Burke was named the club's first ever Head Coach for the 2016 season before leading the club to the postseason in 2017 and again in 2018 as the Union II made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinal. Burke also completed his United States Soccer Federation "A" Coaching License in 2018.
"Brendan Burke is one of the top young coaches in the United States," said 2020 MLS Coach of the Year, Jim Curtin. "He has worked at every level of the professional game, and his ability to identify, develop, and win with young talent is the best that I've ever worked with. Brendan is a builder, and I have no doubt that along with his staff, he will build Switchbacks FC into an elite club in USL."
During Burke's time as head coach of Union II, six players progressed from his squad to join the Philadelphia Union in MLS.
"I think Brendan embodies the Switchbacks organization and this City," said Switchbacks President, Nick Ragain. "He's young, smart, talented, driven, and interested in making the people and community around him better. I am excited to have Brendan at the helm as we open Weidner Field downtown in 2021."
Burke also served as the assistant coach for the Philadelphia Union from 2011 through 2014 and was heavily involved in all levels of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. He was the Head Coach of the Union's PDL affiliate Reading United where he guided the team to a 71-18-19 (W-L-D) record from 2008 through 2013.
During his time in the PDL, 49 players that played under Burke went on to sign professional contracts, including current MLS players Ray Gaddis, C.J. Sapong, Matt Hedges, Alex Bono, and Fatai Alashe.
“We are fortunate to be able to bring Brendan’s talents to Switchbacks FC. Very few coaches have such a thorough knowledge of the league and deep connection to the player pool in this country," said Switchbacks Team General Manager, Brian Crookham. "His philosophy on the game and ability to construct attractive and exciting teams are a great match with a club that is committed to taking a big step forward in 2021. We welcome Brendan, Carley, Camilla and Charlie to the Switchbacks family.”
Colorado Springs, CO (December 12, 2020) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced today that the club has appointed Brendan Burke as the third permanent Head Coach in club history.
Burke joins the Switchbacks FC with extensive experience in the USL Championship and Major League Soccer after winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2020 with the Philadelphia Union as the club’s Head of Recruitment Operations. The Supporters’ Shield is awarded to the team with the best overall record throughout the regular season in Major League Soccer, which Philadelphia earned with 47 points from 23 games in 2020.
“I’m excited to join the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC community and appreciate the opportunity that the Ragain Family and Dean Weidner have provided to build on the foundation of the club and drive the team to the next level,” said Burke. “We look forward to welcoming all of our fans to Weidner Field, I’ve seen many venues around the country and this is truly a stunning new stadium that will be a recognizable landmark for the USL. This is an exciting time for my whole family and the start of a new era for Switchbacks FC and Professional Soccer in the Olympic City.”
The Massachusetts native also has experience in the USL Championship with Bethlehem Steel FC, now known as Philadelphia Union II. Burke was named the club’s first ever Head Coach for the 2016 season before leading the club to the postseason in 2017 and again in 2018 as the Union II made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinal. Burke also completed his United States Soccer Federation “A” Coaching License in 2018.
“Brendan Burke is one of the top young coaches in the United States,” said 2020 MLS Coach of the Year, Jim Curtin. “He has worked at every level of the professional game, and his ability to identify, develop, and win with young talent is the best that I’ve ever worked with. Brendan is a builder, and I have no doubt that along with his staff, he will build Switchbacks FC into an elite club in USL.”
During Burke’s time as head coach of Union II, six players progressed from his squad to join the Philadelphia Union in MLS.
“I think Brendan embodies the Switchbacks organization and this City,” said Switchbacks President, Nick Ragain. “He’s young, smart, talented, driven, and interested in making the people and community around him better. I am excited to have Brendan at the helm as we open Weidner Field downtown in 2021.”
Burke also served as the assistant coach for the Philadelphia Union from 2011 through 2014 and was heavily involved in all levels of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. He was the Head Coach of the Union’s PDL affiliate Reading United where he guided the team to a 71-18-19 (W-L-D) record from 2008 through 2013.
During his time in the PDL, 49 players that played under Burke went on to sign professional contracts, including current MLS players Ray Gaddis, C.J. Sapong, Matt Hedges, Alex Bono, and Fatai Alashe.
“We are fortunate to be able to bring Brendan’s talents to Switchbacks FC. Very few coaches have such a thorough knowledge of the league and deep connection to the player pool in this country,” said Switchbacks Team General Manager, Brian Crookham. “His philosophy on the game and ability to construct attractive and exciting teams are a great match with a club that is committed to taking a big step forward in 2021. We welcome Brendan, Carley, Camilla and Charlie to the Switchbacks family.”
