Orange County SC has announced the hiring of former Welsh Footballer of the Year Robert Earnshaw to join head coach Richard Chaplow’s staff as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2022 USL Championship season.
“I am really excited & honored to take this next step forward and join USL Championship champions Orange County Soccer Club,” Earnshaw said. “I can’t wait to feel the energy and support of fans when we look to retain the title. My focus will be to add value and bring my experiences to this special organization and, very importantly, to help our players achieve their goals.”
Earnshaw provides a wealth of experience from his playing career that spanned 18 seasons across six countries. Earnshaw made 579 career appearances with 236 goals for various clubs like Cardiff City FC, West Bromwich Albion and Toronto FC. He also earned 59 international caps for Wales and scored 16 goals.
“We are thrilled to add Robert, a first class professional who has played and succeeded on the absolute highest level, to our coaching staff,” President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss said. “Robert’s extensive International playing and coaching experience will have a significant impact on our players. He is a great addition to Orange County and will elevate our club on and off the field.”
As a player, Earnshaw holds the distinction of being the only player to score a hat trick in the top four divisions of English football. He also scored hat tricks in the League Cup, FA Cup and during an international match against Scotland. In total, he amassed 10 hat tricks during his career.
Earnshaw will be reunited with Chaplow as they were teammates during their time in the Premier League with West Brom from 2004 to 2006. Interestingly, Earnshaw scored a hat trick in their first appearance together while Chaplow scored a brace in their final appearance.
“I am excited to be adding Robert to our coaching staff,” Chaplow said. “Having played at the highest level, we know his experiences will be a useful learning tool for us, that has only been strengthened with the coaching journey he has been on. A great addition to the family, I can’t wait to get to work with him.”
Earnshaw previously was on the coaching staff during the 2018-2019 USL Championship season at the now-defunct Fresno FC following his tenure with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Recently, Earnshaw has been featured as a pundit for various British sports media networks.
Born in a Zambian mining town, Earnshaw grew up in a soccer family as his mother, uncle and cousins all played professionally. His family moved to Malawi prior to settling in Wales where Earnshaw began his soccer career.
Orange County SC has announced the hiring of former Welsh Footballer of the Year Robert Earnshaw to join head coach Richard Chaplow’s staff as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2022 USL Championship season.
“I am really excited & honored to take this next step forward and join USL Championship champions Orange County Soccer Club,” Earnshaw said. “I can’t wait to feel the energy and support of fans when we look to retain the title. My focus will be to add value and bring my experiences to this special organization and, very importantly, to help our players achieve their goals.”
Earnshaw provides a wealth of experience from his playing career that spanned 18 seasons across six countries. Earnshaw made 579 career appearances with 236 goals for various clubs like Cardiff City FC, West Bromwich Albion and Toronto FC. He also earned 59 international caps for Wales and scored 16 goals.
“We are thrilled to add Robert, a first class professional who has played and succeeded on the absolute highest level, to our coaching staff,” President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss said. “Robert’s extensive International playing and coaching experience will have a significant impact on our players. He is a great addition to Orange County and will elevate our club on and off the field.”
As a player, Earnshaw holds the distinction of being the only player to score a hat trick in the top four divisions of English football. He also scored hat tricks in the League Cup, FA Cup and during an international match against Scotland. In total, he amassed 10 hat tricks during his career.
Earnshaw will be reunited with Chaplow as they were teammates during their time in the Premier League with West Brom from 2004 to 2006. Interestingly, Earnshaw scored a hat trick in their first appearance together while Chaplow scored a brace in their final appearance.
“I am excited to be adding Robert to our coaching staff,” Chaplow said. “Having played at the highest level, we know his experiences will be a useful learning tool for us, that has only been strengthened with the coaching journey he has been on. A great addition to the family, I can’t wait to get to work with him.”
Earnshaw previously was on the coaching staff during the 2018-2019 USL Championship season at the now-defunct Fresno FC following his tenure with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Recently, Earnshaw has been featured as a pundit for various British sports media networks.
Born in a Zambian mining town, Earnshaw grew up in a soccer family as his mother, uncle and cousins all played professionally. His family moved to Malawi prior to settling in Wales where Earnshaw began his soccer career.