Bethlehem Steel FC Hires Phil Wheddon as Goalkeeper Coach
Former U.S. Men’s and Women’s assistant joins Steel FC ahead of 2019 season
CHESTER, Pa. (January 29, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC announced today the club has hired Phil Wheddon (pronunciation: WEH-don) as goalkeeper coach. Wheddon has coached American goalkeepers at every level including some of the top goalkeepers that the United States has produced.
Having worked in Major League Soccer and the Women’s United Soccer Association, Wheddon is the only goalkeeper coach in history to have coached for both the U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams in a FIFA World Cup. In his career, he coached in three World Cups as well as bringing home two Olympic gold medals. Most recently Wheddon was the women’s head coach at Syracuse University for the last 11 seasons.
“Phil brings an extensive amount of knowledge and experience with him to this position,” said Philadelphia Union assistant coach Oka Nikolov. “I am excited about his hiring and look forward to working with him, continuing the development of our goalkeepers this season.”
Wheddon has been instrumental in goalkeeping education throughout the country for the past decade and is a U.S. Soccer Instructor, currently instructing the U.S. Soccer Goalkeeper A License course. A highly respected and sought after coach and educator, he was involved in training some of the nation's top goalkeepers including Tim Howard, Kasey Keller, Hope Solo and Brianna Scurry.
“I would like to thank Ernst Tanner, Brendan Burke and Oka for the opportunity to work with Bethlehem Steel FC and the goalkeepers within the Philadelphia Union organization,” Wheddon said. “I am passionate about developing goalkeepers and am excited to begin the preseason.”
Wheddon also serves as the director of the International Goalkeeper Coaches Conference held annually at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
