Mark Parsons

Last updated

Mark Parsons
Mark Parsons.jpg
Parsons coaching the Portland Thorns in October 2017
Personal information
Full name Mark Richard David Parsons [1]
Date of birth (1986-08-08) 8 August 1986 (age 38) [2]
Place of birth Cranleigh, England [3]
Managerial career
YearsTeam
2004–2008 Chelsea (academy assistant)
2008–2010 Chelsea Reserves (women's)
2010–2012 Culpeper (Va.) SC (technical director)
2012 D.C. United Women U-20
2013 Washington Spirit Reserves
2013–2015 Washington Spirit
2016–2021 Portland Thorns
2021–2022 Netherlands (women's)
2023 Washington Spirit

Mark Richard David Parsons (born 8 August 1986) is an English football manager who is the former head coach of American club Washington Spirit. [4] He previously managed top-level teams including the Netherlands women's national team, the Portland Thorns FC, and the Washington Spirit in a previous stint. [5]

Contents

Parsons holds USSF and UEFA A and B Licenses, a USSF National Youth License, and a NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma. [6]

Early life

Parsons was born and raised in Surrey, England, and played youth football in Woking. [7]

Managerial career

Chelsea academy, women's reserves

Parsons spent six years in multiple coaching roles in England. Parsons's first experience came as a volunteer boys' coach in Surrey, then as a community coach with the Chelsea Foundation. He then held several coaching roles at Chelsea, counting Reece James and Conor Gallagher among the youth players he trained at the academy level. [7]

His first experience as manager was for Chelsea women's reserves from 2008 [8] [9] [10] which he led to an unprecedented treble in his first season. [11]

Culpeper (Va.) Soccer Club

Parsons, seeking a job in the Virginia area, accepted the role of technical director at Culpeper Soccer Club in 2010 and moved with his wife to the United States. [9] [7]

D.C. United Women Under-20s

Former Chelsea striker Lianne Sanderson, then playing for D.C. United Women, contacted Parsons about a vacant coaching role with the club's under-20 team. [7] In 2012, Parsons led the D.C. United Women Under-20s to the 2012 Super-20 League final, which they lost to Colorado Rapids Women. [12]

Washington Spirit Reserves

Parsons was signed by Washington Spirit on 16 March 2013 to manage their reserve team for the 2013 W-League season. [12]

Washington Spirit

Following the dismissal of Washington Spirit manager Mike Jorden in July 2013, Parsons was promoted to be the first team manager. [7] [13] [14] The team was at the bottom of the table halfway through the 2013 season when Parsons took over, but he led them to their first two home wins in 2013 and into the playoffs in both the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Parsons stepped down from his position as head coach and general manager of the Washington Spirit on 30 September 2015. [15]

Portland Thorns

On 5 October 2015, Parsons accepted the position as head coach of Portland Thorns FC. [16]

He led a new-look team through a 12-game undefeated streak (a team record) from the beginning of the 2016 season. [17] The team finished as the regular season champions, winning the NWSL Shield, but fell to the Western New York Flash in the Thorns' first-ever home playoff match on 2 October 2016. [18]

The Thorns repeated in securing a home playoff match in the 2017 season despite suffering numerous injuries to the first XI throughout the season, including the long-term absence of star Tobin Heath from a back injury. [19] After beating the Orlando Pride 4–1 in the semifinal, the Thorns won the NWSL championship by defeating the North Carolina Courage 1–0 in the final. [20]

In March 2020 Parsons signed a new multi-year contract with Portland. [21]

In 2021 Parsons led the Thorns to the NWSL Shield for the second time. In addition, the team also won the NWSL Challenge Cup, beating NJ/NY Gotham FC in the final, and the Women's International Champions Cup, beating Olympique Lyonnais in the final. The team also set the NWSL single-season record for shutouts, with 13 out of 24 games played. [22]

Overall, Thorns FC under Parsons made the playoffs all five seasons, won two NWSL Shields and one NWSL Championship, and scored 182 goals, more than any other NWSL team in that time. Parsons became the winningest coach in NWSL history, with 82 victories. [23]

Netherlands

On 20 May 2021, the KNVB announced that Parsons would succeed Sarina Wiegman as head coach of the Netherlands women's national football team after the conclusion of the 2020 Summer Olympics; he continued to coach the Portland Thorns until November 2021 after the season finished, when the position was taken over by Rhian Wilkinson. [5]

On 10 August 2022, Parsons' contract with KNVB was terminated [24] by mutual consent, after the Netherlands team failed in the defence of their 2017 title in the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 competition. [25]

Return to Washington Spirit

On 21 November 2022, Parsons was announced as the head coach for the Washington Spirit, succeeding Kris Ward as head coach and Albertin Montoya as interim head coach. [22] [26] [27]

At the conclusion of the 2023 NWSL season the Spirit announced Parsons will not return as head coach. [28] [29]

Managerial statistics

As of 26 April 2023
Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamFromToRecord
PWDLGFGAGDWin %
Washington Spirit Reserves2013201315924−−!—060.00
Washington Spirit July 2013December 2015 [30] 57201324−−!—035.09
Portland Thorns FC April 2016November 20214627109−−!—058.70
Netherlands September 2021August 20221810535118+33055.56
Washington Spirit 21 November 202217 October 2023522154+1040.00
Career Total—−−−−−!——

Personal life

Parsons is British and also holds US citizenship. [14]

Honours

Portland Thorns FC

Individual

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NJ/NY Gotham FC</span> Soccer team

NJ/NY Gotham FC is a professional women's soccer team based in Harrison, New Jersey. Founded in 2006 as Jersey Sky Blue, the team was known as Sky Blue FC from 2008 until 2020. A founding member of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2013, Sky Blue FC also played in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) from 2009 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katherine Reynolds</span> American soccer player

Katherine Alexandra Reynolds is an American former professional soccer player who last played in 2020 as a defender for the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She previously played for the Philadelphia Independence and Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), Western New York Flash and Washington Spirit of the NWSL, and Newcastle Jets in the Australian W-League, as well as the United States U-23 women's national soccer team. She won the NWSL Championship in 2017 with the Thorns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Harvey</span> English football manager (born 1980)

Laura Kate Harvey is an English football manager and former player who currently manages Seattle Reign FC of the American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She holds USSF "A" and UEFA "A" coaching licenses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Women's Soccer League</span> Professional soccer league in the United States

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league at the top of the United States league system. Headquartered in New York City, it is owned by the teams and, until 2020, was under a management contract with the United States Soccer Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington Spirit</span> American professional womens soccer team

The Washington Spirit is an American professional soccer club based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that participates in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). It is a continuation of the D.C. United Women of the W-League and continues to field both an amateur Women's Premier Soccer League team and a youth team, both under the Spirit name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portland Thorns FC</span> Soccer team and National Womens Soccer League franchise in Portland, Oregon

The Portland Thorns FC is an American professional women's soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. Established in 2012, the team began play in 2013 in the then-eight-team National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), which received support from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seattle Reign FC</span> Womens soccer team based in Seattle, Washington

Seattle Reign FC is an American professional women's soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2012, it was one of eight inaugural members of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and continues to play in the league. Since June 2024, the Reign are owned by the private equity firm Carlyle Group and the Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Dunn</span> American soccer player (born 1992)

Crystal Alyssia Soubrier is an American professional soccer player for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Gotham FC and the United States national team. She can play a variety of positions at forward, midfield, or defense.

Angela Marguerite Salem is an American soccer coach and former professional player who played as a midfielder. She is currently an assistant coach for the Bay FC of the NWSL. In 2016–17, she played for the Boston Breakers. She previously played for the Spirit, the Newcastle Jets in the Australian W-League, the Atlanta Beat and Sky Blue FC in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league, Western New York Flash in the NWSL, and the Finnish club Åland United of the Naisten Liiga.

The following is a compilation of notable records and statistics for teams and players in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The NWSL's inaugural season was kicked off on April 13, 2013 with 8 participating clubs, four of the eight inaugural clubs still exist with their original names. For Historical purposes, the league's stats and records include active and defunct clubs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina Courage</span> American professional womens soccer team in North Carolina

The North Carolina Courage is a professional women's soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. It was founded on January 9, 2017, after Stephen Malik acquired National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise rights from the Western New York Flash. The Courage plays its home games at the WakeMed Soccer Park.

The 2020 National Women's Soccer League season was the eighth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the 14th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States.

The 2022 National Women's Soccer League season was the tenth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the 16th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. Twelve teams competed in the league, including two expansion teams, San Diego Wave FC and Angel City FC.

The 2021 Houston Dash season was the team's eighth season as an American professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

The 2022 Portland Thorns FC season was the team's tenth season as a professional women's soccer team. Thorns FC plays in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

The 2021 Portland Thorns FC season was the team's ninth season as a professional women's soccer team. Thorns FC plays in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

The 2023 Washington Spirit season was the team's eleventh season as a professional women's soccer team. The Spirit played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

The 2024 National Women's Soccer League season is the twelfth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it is the 18th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. The league has 14 teams following the addition of expansion teams Bay FC and Utah Royals—the latter being the revival of a team that had played in the league from 2018 to 2020.

References

  1. ↑ "Netherlands | Squad | Women's World Cup". UEFA . Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  2. ↑ "Mark Parsons". Royal Dutch Football Association. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  3. ↑ Danzer, Paul (27 December 2016). "Suited for soccer success". Portland Tribune . Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  4. ↑ Pittman, Sam (21 November 2022). "Washington Spirit Names Mark Parsons New Head Coach » Washington Spirit".
  5. 1 2 "MARK PARSONS NIEUWE BONDSCOACH ORANJELEEUWINNEN". KNVB. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  6. ↑ "2021 Portland Thorns Media Guide". Portland, Oregon: Portland Thorns, FC. 2021. p. 6. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Spencer, Jamie (9 July 2022). "Mark Parsons: The English coach in charge of Netherlands at Euro 2022". 90min. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  8. ↑ "MEET THE MANAGEMENT". Chelsea F.C. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008.
  9. 1 2 Parsons, Mark (8 November 2018). "Mark Parsons: The manager who went from Chelsea Reserves to Coach of the Year in America". English Players Abroad (Interview). Interviewed by Cam Melling. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  10. ↑ "Spirit part ways with head coach Mike Jorden". baltimoresoccernews.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  11. ↑ "Thorns FC name Mark Parsons as head coach for 2016 season". Thorns FC. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Mark Parsons named Washington Spirit Reserves head coach". soccerwire.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  13. ↑ "Mark Parsons". washingtonspirit.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  14. 1 2 "Game Notes: Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars: June 22, 2016 by Portland Thorns FC – issuu". Portland Thorns FC. 22 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "Mark Parsons steps down". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  16. ↑ "Mark Parsons joins Thorns". oregonlive.com. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "Portland Thorns 1, North Carolina Courage 3 | August 24, 2022". Portland Thorns FC. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  18. ↑ Goldberg, Jamie (2 October 2016). "Portland Thorns eliminated from NWSL playoffs after 4–3 extra time loss to Western New York Flash". The Oregonian . Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  19. ↑ Tan, Victor (24 September 2017). "USWNT, Portland Midfielder Tobin Heath Makes 2017 NWSL Debut". New Day Review. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Lauletta, Dan (15 October 2017). "Lauletta: Nasty fouls, injuries, lack of cards sucked the life out of 2017 NWSL Championship". The Equalizer. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  21. ↑ Diamond, Drew (6 March 2020). "Mark Parsons commits future to Portland Thorns". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  22. 1 2 "Washington Spirit Names Mark Parsons New Head Coach" (Press release). Washington Spirit. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  23. 1 2 "Portland Thorns FC clinches 2021 NWSL Shield". SoccerWire. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  24. ↑ Lamberts, Marc (10 August 2022). "Mark Parsons and Dutch national team part ways". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  25. ↑ "Netherlands, Mark Parsons part ways after 'disappointing' Euro 2022 campaign". espn.com. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  26. ↑ "Washington Spirit fires coach Kris Ward". Washington Post. 22 August 2022. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  27. ↑ "Washington Spirit Names Albertin Montoya Interim Head Coach". Washington Spirit. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  28. ↑ Diamond, Drew (18 October 2023). "Washington Spirit sack Mark Parsons after second stint in charge". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  29. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/17/spirit-fires-mark-parsons-coach/ . Retrieved 18 October 2023.{{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ↑ "Spirit Announce Head Coach and General Manager Mark Parsons Will Not Return in 2016". 30 September 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  31. 1 2 "Portland Thorns FC's Mark Parsons Voted Coach of the Year". National Women's Soccer League. 8 October 2016. Archived from the original on 4 October 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.