Twila Kilgore leaves USWNT coaching staff

U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes will be on the hunt for a new member on her staff.

Twila Kilgore has left her role as assistant coach, U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday. Kilgore is leaving to pursue other coaching opportunities after serving as interim head coach from September 2023 to May 2024.

Kilgore led the USWNT to a record of 10-3-1 during her time as interim head coach, leading them to the SheBelieves Cup and CONCACAF W Gold Cup Championships earlier this year.

She remained as assistant coach following Hayes’ move to the United States in June. Kilgore also served as an assistant coach during Vlatko Andonovski’s reign as head coach.

“I am thankful for the opportunities, trust and support I have received from leadership, staff, players, and fans over the past three years,” said Kilgore. “Being a part of this storied program as both an assistant and interim head coach has been both a privilege and rewarding experience. What this group has accomplished during a time of transition is a testament to all involved and I believe an indication of continued success to come. I’m not only leaving with a gold medal run, but also with incredible experiences, meaningful relationships and new ambitions.”

“I know I speak for everyone at U.S. Soccer when I say that we are all very thankful to Twila for her wonderful work over the past few years, especially during a very difficult transition time for the players and the program,” said U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker. “Her focus on the tasks at hand and her positive relationships with the players and staff were an important part of our preparations for the Olympics and we are extremely grateful for her contributions. Her experience, work ethic and compassion tell me that she will no doubt be successful as a head coach and I’m excited for the next stage of her coaching journey.”

Kilgore has been an assistant and head coach in Division I college soccer and an assistant in the NWSL. In addition, she worked with several U.S. youth national teams, as well as head coach of the U.S. Under-23 WNT for two events in 2022.

“Twila stepped into a difficult situation when she took over after the World Cup,” said Hayes. “She then embraced it with extreme dedication, a love for the U.S. Women’s National Team program and a passion to help the players be their best selves. I will be forever grateful for her work in the eight months I was still in England after I took this job, and then through the Olympics. Her contributions to our team were invaluable. I am a big proponent of opportunities for female coaches, and we need more coaches in the United States like Twila. She is a role model for many other women following in her path and whichever team is her next one, they will be getting an excellent coach and human.”

The USWNT returns to action in October with a pair of friendlies vs. Iceland before a solo match against Argentina.