Mark Parsons

Mark Parsons (born 8 August 1986) is an English-American soccer manager and currently the head coach of the Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League.

Mark Parsons
Parsons coaching the Portland Thorns in October 2017
Personal information
Full name Mark Parsons
Date of birth (1986-08-08) 8 August 1986
Place of birth England
Club information
Current team
 Portland Thorns
Teams managed
Years Team
2004–2010 Chelsea LFC
2012 D.C. United Women
2013 Washington Spirit Reserves
2013–2015 Washington Spirit
2015– Portland Thorns

Background

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

Managerial career

Chelsea LFC

He spent six years in multiple coaching roles in England, including time as the head coach of Chelsea Ladies Reserve[1][2] which he led to an unprecedented three championships in his first season.[3]

DC United Women Under-20s

In 2012, Parsons led the D.C. United Women Under-20s to the 2012 Super-20 League final, which they lost the final against Colorado Rapids Women.[4]

Washington Spirit Reserves

He was signed by Washington Spirit on 16 March 2013 to manage their reserve team for the 2013 W-League season.[4]

Washington Spirit

Following the dismissal of Washington Spirit manager Mike Jorden, in July 2013 he was promoted to be the first team manager.[5][6] 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 GM of the Washington Spirit on 30 September 2015.[7]

Portland Thorns

On 5 October 2015, Parsons accepted the position as head coach of Portland Thorns FC.[8]

He led a new-look team through a 12-game undefeated streak from the beginning of the 2016 season, finishing as the regular season champions and winning the NWSL Shield but falling to the Western New York Flash in the Thorns' first-ever home playoff match on 2 October 2016.[9]

The Thorns repeated in securing a home playoff match in the 2017 season, in spite of suffering numerous injuries to the first xi throughout the season including the long term absence of Tobin Heath. After beating the Orlando Pride 4–1 in the semi finals, the Thorns won the NWSL championship by defeating the North Carolina Courage 1–0 in the final.

In March 2020 Mark Parsons signed a new lucrative, multi-year new contract[10] with Portland.

Managerial statistics

All competitive league games (league and domestic cup) and international matches (including friendlies) are included.

As of 13 July 2016
Team Nat Year Record
GWDLWin %
Washington Spirit Reserves 2013 15 9 2 4 060.00
Washington Spirit[11] 2013–2015 57 20 13 24 035.09
Portland Thorns FC 2016–present 46 27 10 9 058.70
Career Total 118 56 25 37 047.46

Personal life

Parsons is British and also holds US citizenship. He resides in Beaverton, Oregon with his wife, Hannah and daughter, Edie.[6]

Honours
D.C. United Women

Runner-up

Portland Thorns FC

Coach of the Year

NWSL Shield

  • National Women's Soccer League: 2016[12]

References
  1. Mark Parsons: The manager who went from Chelsea Reserves to Coach of the Year in America englishplayersabroad.com
  2. "Spirit part ways with head coach Mike Jorden". baltimoresoccernews.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  3. "Thorns FC name Mark Parsons as head coach for 2016 season". Thorns FC. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  4. "Mark Parsons named Washington Spirit Reserves head coach". soccerwire.com. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  5. "Mark Parsons". washingtonspirit.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  6. "Game Notes: Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars: June 22, 2016 by Portland Thorns FC – issuu". Portland Thorns FC. 22 June 2016.
  7. "Mark Parsons steps down". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  8. "Mark Parsons joins Thorns". oregonlive.com. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  9. 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.
  10. Diamond, Drew (6 March 2020). "Mark Parsons commits future to Portland Thorns". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  11. "Spirit Announce Head Coach and General Manager Mark Parsons Will Not Return in 2016". 30 September 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  12. "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.
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