Toronto FC announced today that Mike Muñoz has been named head coach of Toronto FC II, replacing Michael Rabasca, who spent two seasons as a head coach of the Young Reds. Assistant coach Chris Pozniak and goalkeeper coach Phil Boerger will remain with the TFC II coaching staff. Rabasca will return to his previous role as the director of high performance for Toronto FC.
“I know Mike from his time with Real Salt Lake where he worked closely with Greg Vanney and Mike Rabasca at our Academy in Arizona,” said Toronto FC President Bill Manning. “Mike has a proven track record coaching young talent and with his established relationships with our staff we thought he’d be an excellent coach for the Young Reds.”
Muñoz, 36, spent the last six years with LA Galaxy, where he coached the Galaxy U-14s, U-16s, U-18s, Galaxy II (Los Dos) and served as the Galaxy Academy Director (2017-2019). With the U-16 team, Muñoz defeated Real Salt Lake-Arizona, the defending champions, to earn the 2013-2014 U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) national title. In 2015, Muñoz helped to create the LA Galaxy Academy High School, where the focus was to maximize player development on and off the field. He was named coach of the USL affiliate Galaxy II in 2017, where he remained until July 2019.
“We’re excited to add Mike to the organization. Our USL team is a vital part of our club that allows us to bridge the gap between our academy and first team and prepare many of our young players for the intensity of first team soccer,” said Toronto FC General Manager Ali Curtis. “Mike has great experience, is highly motivated, and pays attention to all the details both on and off the field.”
Muñoz worked with Vanney in the creation of the Real Salt Lake Arizona Academy in 2010. It was there that the former midfielder began his coaching career when he was named head coach of the U-16 Real Salt Lake-AZ. The same season he was named the Development Academy U-16 Coach of the Year after guiding RSL-AZ to a 16-8-4 overall record. In 2011, Muñoz joined Chivas USA, where he served as an assistant coach of the first team (2011-2012), and head coach of the U-16 and U-23 teams.
“I would like to thank Bill, Ali, Greg and ownership for giving me the opportunity to help continue to build the TFC II project,” said Toronto FC II Head Coach Mike Muñoz. “I’m looking forward to working with Greg, his staff and the talented TFC academy players and coaches. I have great respect for what this club has been able to accomplish, and I’m honored to join the team.”
Prior to his coaching career, Muñoz played professionally with Chivas USA and LA Galaxy. He was selected by Chivas in the third round of the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft. Muñoz played two seasons for Chivas USA, making his professional debut on August 13, 2005, against D.C. United. Muñoz joined the LA Galaxy after spending the 2007 season with USL-1 team California Victory. He made his first team debut with the Galaxy on September 6, 2008, coming on as a second half substitute against Real Salt Lake.
Muñoz holds a USSF Pro coaching Licence.
