_14_(cropped).jpg) Swanson withVirginia in 2024 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Steven Swanson | ||
| Date of birth | c. 1963 (age 61–62) | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Virginia Cavaliers (head coach) | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1981–1983 | Michigan State Spartans | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Milwaukee Wave | |||
| Chicago Shoccers | |||
| Windsor Wheels | |||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1990–1995 | Dartmouth Big Green | ||
| 1996–1999 | Stanford Cardinal | ||
| 2000– | Virginia Cavaliers | ||
| 2000–2002 | United States U-16 | ||
| 2000 | United States U-18 | ||
| 2011–2012 | United States U-20 | ||
| 2013–2014 | United States U-23 | ||
| 2015–2019 | United States (assistant) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Steven Swanson is an Americansoccer coach who is the head coach of theVirginia Cavaliers women's soccer team, a position he has held since 2000.
Swanson played college soccer for theMichigan State Spartans and played professionally for four seasons in the United States and Canada. He was the head coach of theDartmouth Big Green women's soccer team from 1990 to 1995, winning twoIvy League titles and making twoNCAA tournament appearances. He was the head coach of theStanford Cardinal women's soccer team from 1996 to 1999, winning twoPac-10 Conference titles and making three NCAA tournament appearances in four years. He was named the Pac-10 Coach of the Year in his last season at Stanford in 1999.[1]
Swanson succeededApril Heinrichs as the head coach of theVirginia Cavaliers women's soccer before the 2000 season. He has established Virginia as one of nation's top programs, never failing to qualify for the NCAA tournament. He led Virginia to their firstACC championship in 2004, endingNorth Carolina's 15-year conference reign. He won theACC championship for a second time in 2012. In 2013, he was namedACC Coach of the Year after Virginia went undefeated in the regular season and then reached theNCAA tournament semifinals for only the second time in program history. He led Virginia to their firstnational championship game in 2014, falling toFlorida State. He was named ACC Coach of the Year again in 2015 and 2021. He made his thirdNCAA tournament semifinal appearance in 2020.[1][2]
Swanson has helped develop multiple decorated players. He fostered the leadership qualities ofBecky Sauerbrunn, who would become captain of theUnited States national team.[3] He movedEmily Sonnett frommidfielder tocenter back, leading her toward the versatility that helped her secure a place on the United States national team.[4] He coachedMorgan Brian to win theHermann Trophy twice.C-Ville Weekly writes of his style:"[During practice] he's everywhere, dictating the pace and tone, demanding specific tactical adjustments, offering individual advice. That's where he does his work. During the game, he lets the team play."[5]
Swanson was involved with the United States national team at multiple age levels. He served as head coach of theunder-16,under-18,under-20, andunder-23 teams. He led the under-20s to victory at the2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[1] He was an assistant coach toJill Ellis with the senior national team as they won the2015 and2019 FIFA Women's World Cups.[6]