Minnesota United FC hired Ian Fuller as an assistant coach, the latest in a flurry of administrative moves for the club, which begins play in Major League Soccer as soon as the 2017 season.
Ian Fuller hired as assistant coach by Minnesota United
Fuller had been an assistant coach with Orlando City team in Major League Soccer.
February 3, 2016 at 1:54AM
In December, former assistant Carl Craig was promoted to head coach so his predecessor, Manny Lagos, could focus exclusively on his role as sporting director (general manager). Fuller was most recently an assistant with Orlando City of MLS, where he was let go at the end of last season.
"I'm thrilled to join an organization with a winning pedigree," Fuller said in a release. "I've gotten to know Manny Lagos and Carl Craig over the years and I'm excited to be working with two very talented coaches who have a lot of experience. We have an extremely talented and dynamic roster and I can't wait to begin working with the players."
Fuller brings six years of coaching experience to Minnesota, and a history of championships. In 2010, his first year as a player-assistant coach, he helped lead the Charleston Battery to become regular season and playoff champions in USL-2. Fuller joined Orlando City of USL PRO the following year, once again guiding his team to a Championship as well as winning the Commissioner's Cup. Fuller and Orlando won the Commissioner's Cup once again in 2012, followed by another Championship the next season.
"I expect to win," Fuller said. "Coming from a successful organization like Orlando City I understand the keys to coaching success and I am looking forward to doing everything I can to help bring success to this club. It's an important year for the club to move forward and I feel that I am the right person with the right experience to help this club take the next step."
Following the title in 2013, Fuller retired as a player to become a full-time assistant with Orlando. He remained on staff when the club moved up to MLS, helping the team in its inaugural season to a 12-8-14 (W-D-L) record, just missing out on the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Oregon native was drafted 21st overall in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution. He made 11 appearances as a striker for the Revolution in his one season with the club. Fuller made the move to the second division where he played for the Rochester Rhinos and Vancouver Whitecaps before signing with Charleston in 2006. He played four seasons before taking on a coaching role with the club.
The game at U.S. Bank Stadium had been scheduled for noon; it will be televised by Fox (Ch. 9).
