VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday the appointment of Rich Fagan as Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) head coach prior to the club’s third season in the USL. Fagan becomes the second head coach in team history after most recently coaching the Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency team. Assistant coach Steve Meadley and goalkeeper coach Raegyn Hall also return as part of the coaching staff.

WFC2 HEAD COACH RICH FAGAN

Has coached with Whitecaps FC youth teams since 2010

Led Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency to the 2016 Development Academy championship final

Coached five current WFC2 players in Residency program

Has French Football Federation Elite Formation Coaching License

“We’re very proud to name Rich as our new WFC2 head coach,” said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. “Rich was one of several qualified finalists who spent parts of preseason with our first team as we went through a thorough evaluation process. He has been coaching in our system for a number of years now and has continued to prove himself while gradually moving through the ranks. It’s a testament to Rich, and all of our Residency staff, to be able to promote from within and continue the work being done with both our player and coaching development.”

In his first full season coaching the U-18 team, Fagan led the ‘Caps to the 2016 Development Academy championship final, finishing as runners-up in the 74-team league. Prior to last season, Fagan coached the U-16 Residency team for two seasons, leading them to two Northwest Division titles and their first appearance in the Development Academy quarterfinals. During his tenure, he has worked with a number of Whitecaps FC players from Pre-Residency to the professional ranks, including current WFC2 players Matthew Baldisimo, Thomas Gardner, and David Norman Jr, and Terran Campbell and Kadin Chung since U-11 Prospects.

Over the past year, Fagan was one of a select number of coaches throughout MLS academies to take the French Football Federation (FFF) Elite Formation Coaches License (EFCL), a world-class course on player development.

“I am honoured and privileged to be taking on this new position with Whitecaps FC,” said Fagan. “Developing talent is my passion, and the club has created the perfect platform here in Vancouver. I’m excited to help more young players progress in their careers and give their all for the amazing supporters of this club."

Fagan, who is completing his Canadian Soccer Association National ‘A’ license, started his Whitecaps FC career as a staff coach in 2010 and was responsible for the U-11 boys, U-12 girls, and U-18 women's Prospects teams. At the same time, he served as an assistant coach in the Residency program and the W-League team. In 2012, he was named U-15 boys Pre-Residency head coach and U-16 Residency assistant coach.

Born in Glasgow and raised in Muirhead, Scotland, Fagan moved to Vancouver with his parents in 1993. He has been coaching at the youth level since 2004. Prior to joining the Blue and White, he was club head coach and academy director for Surrey FC.