Austin, Texas (July 23, 2019) — Josh Wolff is a name familiar around U.S. Soccer. Wolff featured throughout many different MLS teams before becoming a coach in the domestic league. A former forward, Wolff also attended the University of South Carolina.
Now, Wolff is relocating to Austin.
On Tuesday afternoon, Wolff was announced as the club’s first-ever MLS coach. Currently, Wolff is serving as an assistant coach to Gregg Berhalter and the U.S. Men’s National Team. According to the federation, he will remain as assistant until the end of the year.
Before joining the USMNT, Wolff was an assistant coach for D.C. United and the Columbus Crew SC. He joined D.C. United in 2012, after his playing career was over that same year. He remained with the club for two seasons before joining Berhalter in Columbus in 2013.
Wolff then followed Berhalter to the national team this January.
Meanwhile, Precourt, who formerly owned the Columbus Crew, said that Wolff is a “rising star” in the coaching ranks of MLS.
“Josh’s track record as a player and coach have prepared him for this day,” Precourt said “When we previously worked closely together, his teams qualified for the playoffs four out of five years, played in two of the past four Eastern Conference Finals and won an Eastern Conference Championship in 2015 with an attractive, attacking, possession-oriented playing style. This makes Josh the right individual to lead Austin FC to even greater success.”
Introducing our first #AustinFC Head coach Josh Wolff #UnleashTheWolff | #AustinFC pic.twitter.com/WTqsNCYFwN
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) July 23, 2019
Deep Understanding of MLS
Precourt also added that Wolff was in high demand, due to his knowledge of the league and governing body of CONCACAF.
“With his player-first mentality, deep understanding of MLS, along with his extensive scouting of CONCACAF teams and players, and experience at both the club and USMNT level, Josh was in high demand,” Precourt said. “We are delighted to have secured his services as Austin FC’s first ever head coach.”
During his playing years, Wolff started his career in Chicago. He joined the Fire and competed with the club for four years, totaling 84 appearances and scoring 32 goals. He then moved onto the Kansas City Wizards — the former name of Sporting Kansas City. Wolff left Kansas City in 2006 for an opportunity abroad.
He joined 1860 Munich, where he played with Berhalter for two years. He was also the teammate of USMNT defender Fabian Johnson for two seasons.
However, Wolff’s time in Germany was short. In two seasons, he made 34 appearances but only scored twice. He left Germany in 2008, returning to to the Kansas City Wizards for two more seasons. Wolff finished his professional career in Washington D.C., spending two seasons with D.C. United.
Berhalter expressed his gratitude and excitement for Wolff.
“I’m thrilled for both Josh and Austin FC,” Berhalter said. “His continual development as a coach, hard work, and dedication to his craft has certainly earned him this opportunity. His attention to detail and meticulous preparation are qualities that will help him be successful on and off the field. He will be a great asset to Austin FC and their soccer community, and we all wish him the best of luck.”
All smiles at Austin FC. 😃 #UnleashTheWolff | #AustinFC pic.twitter.com/AQXxw8ad2K
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) July 23, 2019
Last Word from Josh Wolff
Austin FC will begin play in 2021.
Even though he’s new to the city, Wolff said that Austin has a true love of soccer. He also added that being able to bring the first major league sport to the capital of Texas is an “opportunity of a lifetime.”
“Our stated ambition is to establish ourselves quickly within MLS as a vibrant, attacking side and we want to reflect the diverse, competitive, and passionate makeup of our club’s home, both on and off the field,” Wolff said. “We look forward to integrating within Austin at the completion of my current US Men’s National Team duties, to begin the process of building our team in advance of the 2021 season.”
#UnleashTheWolff | #AustinFC pic.twitter.com/RN8nORDiVv
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) July 23, 2019
PHOTO: Josh Wolff is introduced as the first-ever head coach of Austin FC. Photo provided by Austin FC.
