Minnesota United announced today new coaching and technical staff hires for the MNUFC Academy: former Minnesota United player Fanendo Adi, Jamie Carroll-Rolfe, Alex Morawiecki, Scott Macleod and Hannah Valen all recently joined the Youth Development Program ahead of the start of the 2023 MLS NEXT competition season.
“We’re excited to add staff that encompass the diversity and multi-layered experiences that we want to impart to our Academy players,” said MNUFC Vice President of Youth Development Amos Magee. “From ex-Designated Players in Major League Soccer to college head coaches, to young coaches of great promise who started as volunteer assistant coaches – they have rolled up their sleeves to go above and beyond at our Academy.”
Fanendo Adi – U19 Head Coach
The former MLS-striker joins the club as the new U19 Head Coach. Adi’s prolific playing experience spans 12 years on both an international and Major League Soccer level. The two-time MLS Cup champion began his began his career in MLS with the Portland Timbers, followed by a stint with Columbus Crew and he finished his playing career in Minnesota following the 2021 season. Adi notably scored 56 goals in regular-season action across all three clubs, earning his way into winning MLS Cup championships with both Portland and Columbus. Internationally, Adi has competed in both Concacaf and UEFA Champions League contests. The Lagos, Nigeria native currently holds a USSF B Coaching License.
Jamie Carroll-Rolfe – U15 Assistant Coach
Returning in a full-time capacity, Carroll-Rolfe is a U15 Assistant Coach. The Reading, England native joins the club with both local and international coaching experience, including time as a coach with Blaine Soccer Club from 2018-2019 and as an assistant with Portsmouth Football Club’s U18 squad from 2016-2018. Carroll-Rolfe earned a bachelor's degree in Sport & Exercise Science and master’s degree in Sports Performance from the University of Portsmouth and he additionally holds a UEFA B Coaching License.
Alex Morawiecki – U19 Assistant Coach
Morawiecki arrives at the MNUFC Academy as the new U19 Assistant Coach. Hailing from Winona, Minnesota and residing in St. Paul, Morawiecki was previously the head coach for Hamline University’s men’s soccer program, where he led the squad from 2012-2022. Morawiecki played three years of hockey and four years of soccer for Hamline University, graduating with a degree in Psychology in 2006. He received a master’s degree in organizational management from Concordia University – St. Paul in 2009. Morawiecki notably has coaching experience from stints at Concordia, Northern Illinois University, Xavier University, Schoolcraft College and the Michigan Wolves-Hawks Youth Soccer Club. He holds Advanced Youth and National Diplomas from the National Soccer Coaches of America (NSCA).
Scott Macleod – Manager of Youth Camps and Clinics
The Fort William, Scotland native brings vast coaching and management experience to the MNUFC Academy, where he will serve to manage the soccer camp program in Minnesota and surrounding states, including ID Discovery and pre-Academy clinics and events. Having lived in Minnesota since 2002, Macleod was previously the Director of Coaching for Blaine Soccer Club from 2002-2020, the Youth Director at Eden Prairie Soccer Club from 2020-2022, a high school coach for 16 seasons at various high schools and ODP coach from 2010-2013. Beyond graduating with a Bachelor of Coaching Performance degree from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England, Macleod holds a United Soccer Coaches (USC) Premier Diploma, a UEFA C License, a USSF National Youth License and a Scottish FA Children’s Award License.
Hannah Valen – Athletic Trainer: MNUFC2 & YDP
Valen joins the club as a new Athletic Trainer for MNUFC2 and the Youth Development Program in a role that assists both programs. Valen, who hails from Owatonna, Minnesota, started as a student intern with the club in January 2022, then was hired part-time after graduation to work with MNUFC2 and the Youth Development Program before joining the club full-time in 2023. She graduated with a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree from Winona State University in 2022 and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree from Augsburg University in 2019.
MNUFC Academy’s U15, U17 and U19 squads all return to action this weekend. The U15 and U17 teams will take on Chicago Fire Academy this Saturday, February 18 before facing Sockers FC on Sunday, February 19. The U19 side is set to face only Sockers FC on Sunday.
