Photo Credit: Ralph Schudel
When former Columbus Eagles FC head coach Daniel Seiffert departed the club at the conclusion of the WPSL season this summer, many wondered who would step up and fill the vacant head coaching position. Several prominent names from around Central Ohio came up in conversation, but one name stuck out to the Eagles front office.
That name was current Capital University Women’s Soccer coach Matt Ogden. The Preston, England, native came highly recommended from numerous current players on the roster. Midfielder Kelly DeNiro and outside back Amber Kern played for Ogden during their teenage years. Defender Monique Hanayik spent her collegiate career at Capital alongside the coach, and Lila Remache serves on his coaching staff as a graduate assistant.
On Dec.6th the Eagles made the hire official, naming Ogden the third coach in franchise history. Following his first few training sessions in charge, he is impressing many within the Eagles ranks. Eagles owner and CEO Mark Wise believes he made the correct choice.
“Every time there is a coaching change, there is a bit of apprehension of how we will find the right coach for this team,” Wise said in a press release. “We look for someone who will have the respect of the players and the ability to challenge them to be the best they can be. In Matt Ogden, we have found that coach.” Similar to his predecessor, the new Eagles coach prefers a style of soccer that is easy on the eyes.
“I love talented players who aren’t afraid to make mistakes,” Ogden stated. “One of the big things is: Fail forward. I say that a lot to my players. We want them to have confidence to try things. I’m not going to be somebody who’s going to sit in and let teams come and attack us. We want the ball, we want the ball for long periods of time. We want to put together a program that’s entertaining to watch and that players like to be involved in.”
Ogden played collegiate soccer at the University of Rio Grande. He earned All-American honors is 1999 and finished his playing career with a single-season record of 33 goals. Following college, the Englishmen continued his playing career with stops in the Premier Development League (PDL) and United Soccer League (USL).
The new coach will remain a busy man throughout the year. When he isn’t coaching at Capital University or the Columbus Eagles, he spends time with working in club soccer. Ogden currently serves as a coach at OP (Ohio Premier), where he looks to add to an already stellar club career. During his tenure in club soccer, Ogden has collected four state championship and qualified for three ECNL national finals.
The new Eagles coach goes for his first victory in competitive action on Saturday. The Eagles renew their rivalry with an indoor match against the Cincinnati Sirens at Resolute Sports Complex in Columbus, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
