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Coaching Moves: John Pascarella named new Head Coach of OKC Energy

The former Des Moines Menace head coach and MNUFC assistant has been named head coach of USL Championship side OKC Energy

September 29, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States -John Pascarella after an MLS match between Minnesota United and Los Angeles Football Club at Allianz Field (Photo: Tim C McLaughlin)
September 29, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States -John Pascarella after an MLS match between Minnesota United and Los Angeles Football Club at Allianz Field (Photo: Tim C McLaughlin)

Yesterday afternoon USL Championship side Oklahoma City Energy FC announced that Minnesota United assistant coach John Pascarella has been named the club’s next head coach.

“We couldn’t be more excited for John to join our club,” said owner Bob Funk, Jr. “John not only has an impressive resume, but everyone he’s worked with speaks very highly about him. It became clear early in our discussions that John has a vision for Energy FC both on and off the pitch, and we look forward to building a winning culture with him.”

Pascarella has a long history of coaching and playing, having played in the US and Peru and having joined the University of Maryland as goalkeeper coach in 1998. He spent the longest time with Sporting Kansas City as assistant and goalkeeper coach from 2009-16. In 2017 he joined PDL (now USL League Two) side Des Moines Menace as manager, serving in that role for one season.

In 2018 he joined Minnesota United under head coach Adrian Heath reprising the same roles he had in Kansas City as Goalkeeper and Assistant coach. In his two seasons under these roles he saw his goalkeepers get 14 clean sheets over two seasons, including 11 just in 2019.

Stay tuned to E Pluribus Loonum for more offseason updates on Minnesota United FC.