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USL1 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

Hailstorm Announce Éamon Zayed Contract Extension Through 2026

August 30, 2023 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release


WINDSOR, Colo. - Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC and head coach and technical director Éamon Zayed have agreed on a three-year contract extension through the 2026 season.

Zayed, the only coach in the club's history, is in his second season with Hailstorm FC and has them in position for their first-ever USL League One playoff berth.

"This has been an unbelievable journey so far," Zayed said. "Starting my head coaching career here, I really jumped into it and I've loved every moment."

Zayed has posted a 25-16-16 record in charge of Hailstorm FC. That includes notable success in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, where Hailstorm are 3-2-0 under Zayed, with all three wins over opposition from higher tiers. Zayed and Northern Colorado have beaten Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the USL Championship in each of the last two seasons and took down MLS side Real Salt Lake, 1-0, in 2022.

This season, Zayed has led Hailstorm FC on a 12-match unbeaten run, tied for second-longest in league history, and a multi-week stint atop the USL League One table, a position of which they are still well within striking distance.

"When we hired Éamon, we knew his drive, knowledge, and experience as a prolific scorer for almost two decades would transfer to coaching players in his image," Future Legends Managing Member Jeff Katofsky said. "What we didn't know was how quickly he would succeed in not only compiling a cohesive, championship level squad, but also mentoring Hailstorm to the top of the table in just our second year."

In addition to their cup run in 2022, Hailstorm posted a record of 11-10-9 in league play, good for 42 points and a seventh-place finish. They missed the USL League One playoffs by a tiebreaker.

Beyond the on-field exploits, in his role as technical director, Zayed has brought several standout performers to Northern Colorado, including 2022 USL League One Defender of the Year Arthur Rogers, 2022 Second Team All-League forward Irvin Parra, and 2023 Golden Boot leader Trevor Amann.

Having seen how far the club, and Future Legends Complex as a whole, has come in the two years since his arrival in August 2021, Zayed said he is excited for where Hailstorm FC can be by 2026. Already on the horizon are the opening of TicketSmarter Stadium and the addition of a USL W League team in 2024.

"In 2026 I want us to be a really healthy USL League One team, challenging in the playoffs year in, year out. Also I want to see a really competitive women's team here," Zayed said.

The extension also illustrates that the club believes Zayed is the right man for the job, both on and off the pitch.

"Éamon is not only a great coach to lead the club to contention for championships, but is an incredible representative of Future Legends in this community. He continues to prove he is the right person for the job and the right man for Northern Colorado, a community he cares so deeply about," Future Legends Executive Director Casey Katofsky said.

New contract in hand, Zayed will look to lead Hailstorm into the playoffs and all the way to a USL League One championship, a journey that continues Sunday against Charlotte Independence at Future Legends Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. and tickets are available at hailstormfc.com.

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