Soccer

Miami FC hires Argentine coach Gaston Maddoni after last-place USL finish last season

The Argentine coaching influence in the United States continues as Miami FC on Thursday named Gastόn Maddoni as the next head coach ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season.

He is the latest Argentine coach to take a U.S. job, following Mauricio Pochettino, who recently took over the U.S. men’s national team, and Javier Mascherano, who replaced countryman Tata Martino as head coach of Inter Miami.

Maddoni, 50, spent 14 years scouting and developing Boca Juniors youth players and his career went on to include stops at Argentinos Juniors and River Plate. He was an assistant coach at Racing Club in Argentina’s Primera (first) Division and most recently coached at fourth-division Deportivo Espanyol.

“As we approach our tenth year as an organization I am excited to welcome Gastόn to lead our team through this new chapter of our future,” said Riccardo Silva, owner of Miami FC. “Gastόn understands the high expectations that exist for us and our fans. His experience in Argentina and his vision for the team is the perfect fit for our club as we look to regain success on the field in 2025 and beyond.”

Miami FC finished in last place in the Eastern Conference with the league’s worst record last year (3 wins, 29 losses, 2 ties). The USL Championship is a second-division league below Major League Soccer.

“I just want to say how excited we are about this new project and the full commitment we have made to it,” said Maddoni. “We will be ready to rise to the occasion and, together with the staff, we will give our all to ensure Miami FC returns to the playoffs.”

Previous Miami FC coaches included Alessandro Nesta, Paul Dalglish, and Anthony Pulis.

Miami FC is in the process of building state-of-the-art facilities and permanent home for its academy and first team at the Sports Performance Hub in south Miami-Dade. The season opens March 8. Season Memberships and Flex Plans for the 2025 Season are on sale now. Call 844-MIAMI FC or go to miamifc.com

Michelle Kaufman
Miami Herald
Miami Herald sportswriter Michelle Kaufman has covered 14 Olympics, six World Cups, Wimbledon, U.S. Open, NCAA Basketball Tournaments, NBA Playoffs, Super Bowls and has been the soccer writer and University of Miami basketball beat writer for 25 years. She was born in Frederick, Md., and grew up in Miami.
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