CHICAGO (Via U.S. Soccer) – U.S. Soccer has named Shaun Tsakiris as the new head coach of the U-16 Boys’ National Team.

Tsakiris’ first challenge with the U-16 Boys’ National Team will be to guide the squad through a foreign training camp in St. George, England, where the team will play two matches against its Three Lions counterpart in early February.

A former Major League Soccer player, Tsakiris was picked up by the New England Revolution in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft after playing for UCLA. The following year, he played for the Rochester Rhinos in the USL A-League, appearing in 42 matches and earning one goal, until 2005.

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Tsakiris is no stranger to U.S. Youth National Teams. He was part of the U-20 MNT that participated in the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Tsakiris also made appearances for the U-17 and U-18 MNT.

Starting in 2004, Tsakiris headed the De Anza Force Soccer Club. In 2007, he began coaching the U-16 De Anza force USSF Development Academy.