The New England Mutiny of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite League have announced that Head Coach Tony Horta has taken a leave of absence from the team for personal reasons. In his place, long-time New England “charter” staff member Chris LeGates has been named the interim Head Coach and will lead the Mutiny (1-1-1 WPSL Elite) into this Saturday’s home match against. the Philadelphia Fever (0-1-1 WPSL Elite) at East Longmeadow H.S. (7:00 PM kick-off).
After a three-year hiatus from the coaching staff, LeGates was named New England assistant coach this spring. Chris had been an original member of the Mutiny coaching staff, going back to the team’s inaugural Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) season in 2003.
“I have all the confidence in the world in Chris taking over the ship in the interim,” said New England Mutiny owner Joe Ferrara. “With Tony on leave, Chris deserved this opportunity for his commitment and loyalty to the Mutiny organization.”
The Saint Joseph College (NCAA DIII) Head Coach will enter his 15th season at the helm of the Blue Jays soccer team this fall. LeGates has led the Blue Jays to an overall record of 120-99-16 (.545) during his tenure, including a school-record 14 wins in 2008 and again in 2010.
LeGates said, “This is an amazing opportunity to work with some of the best players in the country. To have been with the Mutiny since our first game in 2002 and to now see us competing in the highest level of play in the United States is something that I think is very important and a testament to Joe Ferrara’s vision. I have had some of the best moments of my professional career as part of the Mutiny organization,” said LeGates.
Chris has been named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Coach of the Year four times and is the only current GNAC coach to earn the honor on that many occasions. He is also currently the U-17 premier coach for the Academica Futbol Club as well as the program’s Technical Director. LeGates is a managing partner and director of the Collegiate Soccer System which operates camps, clinics and training of soccer players throughout New England. He has been involved in the Connecticut Olympic Development Program (ODP) and has established himself as both a lecturer and clinician in the region. Prior to his coaching career, Chris was a standout for the University of Hartford (NCAA DI), where his team won the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship and went to the Sweet 16 in the 1991 NCAA Tournament. He holds an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
