Flash Appoint Charlie Naimo as Club's Newest Technical Director
October 2, 2014 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ELMA, N.Y. ( Thursday, October 2, 2014 ) - The Western New York Flash have named Charlie Naimo the club's newest Technical Director, it was announced today. Naimo, who currently serves as the head coach for LA Blues of the USL W-League, will assist Flash head coach and general manager Aaran Lines in player scouting and acquisitions for the upcoming National Women's Soccer League season.
"I'm excited to have someone of Charlie's experience come on board with our staff. I think he has proven in the past that he is excellent in this role. Charlie is highly experienced in the women's game and I think he's going to be a great addition to our club," Lines said. "I've known Charlie for years, we've competed against one another, and I think very highly of him and his ability to help me put a roster together."
"I am excited to be back in professional soccer and very appreciative of the opportunity to work with Aaran and the Flash organization," Naimo said. "We have been working tirelessly on establishing clear goals and developing a strategy to bring another trophy to Western New York."
Naimo, who has compiled numerous Championship caliber rosters over his 16-year coaching and managing tenure, joins the Flash fresh off an undefeated, Championship season with the Blues. The 2014 campaign saw the team claim the W-League title with a 6-1 win over the Washington Spirit Reserves and outscore opponents 62-6 over the year.
After founding the then-Pali Blues in 2007, Naimo guided the club to five W-League Championship games, claiming the title in all but one appearance. In the Fall of 2013, Pali merged with the LA Strikers, creating the now LA Blues.
A native of North Brunswick, N.J., Naimo also had a hand in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), serving as the general manager of the Los Angeles Sol in 2009. In their lone season of operation, the Sol were Regular Season Champions and reached the WPS Championship game. After the Sol ceased operations, Naimo continued his presence in the WPS, signing on as the technical director for the Chicago Red Stars the following year.
Prior to his career with the Blues, Naimo also managed the Central Jersey Splash, New Brunswick Power, New Jersey Wildcats and Jersey Sky Blues, all of the W-League. In 1999, Naimo was named W-League Coach of the Year after his second season with the Splash, and, in 2005, led the Wildcats to the W-League Championship. It would not be the first COY award of his career, later earning the honor in both 2005 and 2009.
Naimo, who was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame in 2012, will begin his tenure with the Flash immediately, working primarily out of Los Angeles.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from October 2, 2014
- Flash Appoint Charlie Naimo as Club's Newest Technical Director - Western New York Flash
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