Greg Vanney, head coach of Toronto FC, announced Wednesday that Nick Theslof, Jason Bent, Daniel Calichman, Jon Conway, Jim Liston, and Michael Rabasca have all been officially named to his coaching staff.
“I’m excited to work and collaborate with a staff that has unique experiences and skill sets,” said Toronto FC Head Coach Greg Vanney. “Our staff considers all aspects of preparation and performance as working one day at a time with a vison of driving this team to be successful for this year and well into the future.”
Theslof, 38, joins Toronto FC’s First Team as an assistant coach. Theslof came on board at the start of 2014 as the Kia Toronto FC Academy U14 head coach. He brings both an extensive playing and coaching background to the First Team. Theslof was a scout for the German National team during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Theslof went on to become assistant coach and scout for FC Bayern München in 2008. Following his time at Bayern München, Theslof joined Chivas USA as the club’s technical director and assistant coach ahead of the 2010 MLS Season. Theslof coaching career began at Ohio Wesleyan University as an assistant coach, where he won the NCAA Division III National Title in 1998. Theslof holds a USSF A coaching license.
Bent, 37, is currently in his fourth season as an assistant coach for Toronto FC. Bent joined the first team ahead of the 2011 season, after spending the previous three seasons in the Academy. A native of Brampton, Ontario, Bent is a local coach who brings a wealth of experience having played internationally and within Major League Soccer. He went to the University of Maryland prior to joining the Colorado Rapids. Bent spent three seasons with the Rapids appearing in over 50 matches and was part of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup finals squad in 1999. His last professional club was Plymouth Argyle in England where he played three seasons. Bent helped Plymouth win the Division Three Championship in 2001-02, and the Division Two Championship in 2003-04. In addition to his club football career, Bent earned 32 caps for the Canadian National Team.
Calichman, 46, was recently hired as an assistant coach for the First Team. Prior to joining Toronto FC, Calichman held a position as the head coach of the men's soccer team at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California (2004-2014). He has coached in the USSDA U18 division for LAFC, Cosmos West and Chivas USA Academy. Calichman’s professional soccer career spans 12 years. He joined the LA Galaxy in 1996 and was captain of the team for three seasons, earning All-Star recognition in his first season. Following his time with the Galaxy, Calichman played for the San Jose Earthquakes and the New England Revolution. He played for the United States National Team from 1997-98 and was the first American player to play in the J-League, Japan’s professional soccer league. Calichman graduated from Williams College with a bachelor’s degree in history, where he was captain of the college’s Division III soccer and lacrosse teams. He holds a USSF A coaching license
Conway, 37, joins Toronto FC as the First Team’s goalkeeping coach after spending the previous two seasons as the goalkeeper head coach with the Kia Toronto FC Academy. Prior to joining the Academy, Conway had a successful career in MLS that began with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2000. In five seasons with the Earthquakes, Conway was part of two MLS Cup Championship teams. Conway was traded to the New York MetroStars who eventually became the Red Bulls and remained with the club for four seasons. He’d later join Chivas USA (2009), Toronto FC (2010) and the Chicago Fire (2011). Conway retired as a player at the conclusion of the 2011 season. Conway spent time as the director of goalkeeping for the Mustang Soccer Club from 2004-2005. He also served as a volunteer assistant coach for St. Peter’s College, where he was part of the school’s first ever at large bid into the NCAA Division I tournament. Conway holds a NSCAA Goalkeeping Level II coaching certification.
Liston, 50, joins the Toronto FC First Team as the Director, Sport Science. Prior to joining the First Team, he worked with the Kia Toronto FC Academy. Liston brings a highly distinguished work history that involves time as strength and conditioning coach with three MLS clubs, LA Galaxy, Columbus Crew and Chivas USA. He is also the founder and president of CATZ (Competitive Athlete Training Zone) where he developed an entire curriculum and coaches training program. Liston is launching a new department within Toronto FC as he focuses on sport science innovation and helping athletes reach their highest potential.
Rabasca, 45, joins the First Team as the Director, Cognitive Development. He came on board with Toronto FC for the start of the 2014 Academy season. Prior to joining Toronto FC, Rabasca was a highly successful academy coach with stints at multiple clubs including RSLAZ Academy. Rabasca also worked with US Soccer as a scout and NSCAA as a consultant to their clubs standards project. His focus at Toronto FC is on cognitive and neuro development in athletes, which combines his work experience as an occupational therapist and his history in soccer. Rabasca’s role as director of cognitive development is the first of its kind in North America. He holds a USSF A coaching license and NSCAA Premier Diploma.
