MLS Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC Announces Additional Sporting Department Appointments Ahead of 2024 MLS Season

Published on January 24, 2024 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - Charlotte FC today announced the Club has added two staff members with nearly 30 years of combined MLS experience to the Club's Sporting Department.

Tommy Wilson, who spent the last decade at the Philadelphia Union where he was responsible for youth development throughout the Union's professional pathway, will begin his new role as Technical Director with Charlotte FC in February.

Miles Joseph has been named Associate Head Coach for the First Team and comes to Charlotte from the Portland Timbers where he has been an assistant coach since 2018. In August 2023, he became interim head coach for the Timbers for the rest of the 2023 season.

Zoran Krneta remains as the Club's Chief Soccer Officer (CSO) and will be the Club's General Manager in charge of overseeing the entire Sporting Department.

Bobby Belair, who was serving as the Club's Technical Director, is now the Club's Assistant General Manager and will lead player personnel, performance and medical. Belair will continue to oversee the Crown Legacy FC roster construction.

"In the offseason, we evaluated our needs as a football club and identified one of our key goals was to strengthen and expand our Sporting Department beyond the hiring of a new head coach. We emphasized MLS experience, and we are thrilled to welcome Tommy and Miles to our organization," said Charlotte FC President Joe LaBue. "Everyone at our Club should be proud of what we have built so far, but there's opportunity to reach greater heights. These additions are prime examples of ownership's continued investment into player development through a one club model that connects the First Team down to our Academy through a cohesive set of playing principles. We're committed to winning now, but also establishing a player development pathway that ensures sustained success. The talent and experience we've added is a testament to the foundation that has been laid by those already here, but more importantly, it speaks to the vision we have to be a leader in the sport."

Wilson joined the Union in 2013 as the club's first academy director and has overseen the development of more than 30 players who went on to sign professional contracts including current U.S. Men's National Team players Brenden Aaronson, Paxten Aaronson and Mark McKenzie.

"I'm excited to be joining Charlotte FC to begin a new chapter in my career. The opportunity Zoran presented to work across all technical aspects of the Club is something I've wanted since I broke into coaching," said Wilson. "It was a privilege to work at the Philadelphia Union and I'm extremely grateful to the leadership and all the players and staff I've worked with, but the position in Charlotte was an opportunity I was eager to embrace. The Carolinas have a rich history in the game, and I look forward towards adding to its legacy."

The Scotland native brings to Charlotte 30 years of coaching experience and began his career as the Football Development Officer for the Scottish Football Association where he eventually became the Director of Coach Education and U19 National Team Head coach. Wilson joined Rangers FC in 2006 as the Club's Academy Director where he led player development for the 55-time Scottish Champions.

"We're delighted to welcome Tommy to Charlotte FC as we continue to invest into the Club's sporting infrastructure. Tommy will play a crucial role in implementing our core playing principles across the organization from our Academy through the First Team," said Charlotte FC General Manager Zoran Krneta. "He brings to Charlotte a tremendous track record of developing players for the professional level and will be a valuable asset to our existing Academy and MLS NEXT Pro technical staffs as we aspire to become a leader of player development in the league."

Prior to his time in Portland, Joseph coached at Orlando City SC, New York City FC and Real Salt Lake. Throughout his tenure in MLS, Joseph helped lead the Timbers to two MLS Cup Finals and an MLS is Back Tournament title and saw both domestic and international success with Salt Lake by featuring in both the MLS Cup and Concacaf Champions League Finals.

"I'm excited to return to the Carolinas for this new and exciting opportunity with Charlotte FC. From afar, you can tell that something special is being established in the Queen City and I wanted to embark on a new challenge," said Joseph. "My six years in Portland helped me grow further as a coach, and I'm very thankful for my time with the Timbers. Now, I'm looking forward to bringing the knowledge and experience I've gained throughout my MLS career to help elevate the Club toward success."

Joseph has ties to the Carolinas after playing his college soccer at Clemson University. He was drafted 12th overall in 1996 by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars and amassed 120 appearances between the MetroStars, Columbus Crew and Dallas Burn.

On the international stage, Joseph represented the U.S. at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

"Miles is highly regarded in U.S. soccer circles, and we're delighted to bring a coach of his pedigree to Charlotte FC," said Krneta. "Between his playing and coaching careers, Miles has amassed two decades of experience in MLS and brings championship-level stature to Charlotte. We're excited to welcome him back to the Carolinas and join us in preseason as we prepare for the 2024 season."

Also joining the staff ahead of the 2024 season as athletic trainer is Octavio Tobar who has worked with multiple soccer teams across MLS and the NCAA.

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