c/ballard_fc · by CombatWombat@feddit.online · 2d

USL W League Announces 2026 Coaches of the Year

https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1365618

The USL W League has announced its 2026 Coaches of the Year, recognizing four coaches whose teams combined dramatic year-over-year improvement, historic playoff runs and, in one case, a national championship.

The four regional winners — Scott Gibson of Pittsburgh Riveters SC, Abby Carchio of Vermont Green FC, Kelly Findley of the Charlotte Eagles and Malia Arrant of Salmon Bay FC — each guided their teams to significant achievements during the 2026 campaign.

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CombatWombat@feddit.online · 1 pts · 2d

That's our coach!

WESTERN: MALIA ARRANT, SALMON BAY FC If there was a team that embodied the word "breakthrough" in 2026, it was Arrant’s Salmon Bay FC.

After finishing third in the Northwest Division at 6-3-1 during its inaugural 2025 season, Salmon Bay returned under head coach Malia Arrant. The club went 9-2-1 in the 2026 regular season, winning the Northwest Division and earning a home playoff run at Interbay Stadium.

Salmon Bay hosted Vermont Green in front of a record 2,096 fans at Interbay Stadium. Morgan Manalili gave the team a 1-0 lead in the 78th minute, but Vermont equalized in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Neither team could find a winner during 30 minutes of extra time, sending the championship to penalties, in which the home side would go on to win 5-4.

Arrant turned a good team into a great one in 2026.