Former USWNT interim coach Twila Kilgore departs, will pursue new opportunities

Former U.S. women's national team interim boss Twila Kilgore departs role at U.S. Soccer

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Twila Kilgore, who served as the USWNT's interim coach for 14 matches before Emma Hayes took over the official role, is stepping away from the federation to pursue other opportunities, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.

  Kilgore compiled a 10-1-3 record while winning the 2024 W Gold Cup and 2024 SheBeleives Cup in the interim role. After Hayes' arrival, Kilgore stayed on as an assistant through the Olympics, helping the USWNT claim a gold medal.

Friendlies

USA
USA
2024-10-24T23:30:00.000Z23:30

Iceland
Iceland
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  WHAT KILGORE AND HAYES SAID

  “I am thankful for the opportunities, trust and support I have received from leadership, staff, players, and fans over the past three years,” said Kilgore. “Being a part of this storied program as both an assistant and interim head coach has been both a privilege and rewarding experience. What this group has accomplished during a time of transition is a testament to all involved and I believe an indication of continued success to come. I’m not only leaving with a gold medal run, but also with incredible experiences, meaningful relationships and new ambitions.”

  Added Hayes: “Twila stepped into a difficult situation when she took over after the World Cup. She then embraced it with extreme dedication, a love for the U.S. women’s national team program and a passion to help the players be their best selves. I will be forever grateful for her work in the eight months I was still in England after I took this job, and then through the Olympics.

  "Her contributions to our team were invaluable. I am a big proponent of opportunities for female coaches, and we need more coaches in the United States like Twila. She is a role model for many other women following in her path and whichever team is her next one, they will be getting an excellent coach and human.”
  

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The role of an interim coach can be thankless, but Kilgore should be recognized for helping steady the ship. She took over a USWNT program reeling from a World Cup failure and helped rebuild the program on the fly prior to Hayes' arrival. Several young stars, headlined by Jaedyn Shaw, were introduced to the USWNT under Kilgore's leadership, which helped set up the U.S. for years to come.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR THE USWNT?

  The U.S. will be back in action in October as they face Iceland in a pair of friendlies, in addition to a third match against Argentina.