Jackie Bachteler, Chris Loxston, Craig Barclay join Wave FC coaching staff; Laura Doran promoted to Assistant GM
San Diego Wave FC announced today its full sporting staff ahead of the 2023 season, kicking off on March 25. The staffing updates include four assistant coaches under Casey Stoney, a promotion on the sporting side and the addition of a Performance Analyst and Player Experience Specialist.
Stoney will be supported in San Diego by First Assistant Jackie Bachteler, Tactical Analyst Coach Chris Loxston, Technical Coach Craig Barclay and Performance Analyst Bennet Luethje.
“I am thrilled to have Jackie, Chris, Criag and Bennet join our technical staff,” said Wave FC Head Coach Casey Stoney. “These impressive new hires bring extensive and invaluable experience to Wave FC. I look forward to working with all of them as we build on our success last season and see what we can achieve for an even better 2023.”
Bachteler joins Wave FC after spending the last two years as the Sporting Director for BP Fotboll in Stockholm (Sweden), where she oversaw the player and coaching development for BP’s girls side and the Girls Academy.
Prior to her front office position with BP Fotboll, Bachteler had a robust international coaching career in the United States, Finland, Spain, Cyprus, Costa Rica and Sweden. Most recently, Bachteler has served as Head Coach for Sollentuna FK (2020-2021, Sweden), Assistant Coach for Hammarby IF (2018-2019, Sweden), Trainer and Project Leader for IFK Stocksund (2017, Sweden), Head Coach for FC Famagusta (2017, Cyprus) and Head Coach for Sunnanå SK (2016, Sweden).
Loxston joins the club after working as the Group Leader Football Performance Analysis & Insights at FIFA in Switzerland. The Nottingham native began working in sports performance analytics in 2007 and has worked with the International Olympic Committee, English Institute of Sport, Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), United Arab Emirates FA and Al Ahli Club (Dubai) throughout his tenure.
Barclay was a local hire from youth sports club, Surf Soccer Club, where he served as the Director of Coaching. With an incredible breadth of knowledge in California club soccer, Barclay will work as a development coach and assist younger players in the integration and growth within the team.
In addition, the Wave has promoted Laura Doran to Assistant General Manager after joining the club in its inaugural season as Head of Team Administration. A native of Boston, Mass., Doran joined the league in 2013 where she spent five years with the Boston Breakers. Prior to joining San Diego, Doran spent four seasons with Portland Thorns FC as the Manager of Soccer Operations.
Doran will be supported by Player Experience Specialist, Dominique Hernandez.
“We are thrilled to have Laura continue on with the Wave as Assistant GM,” said Molly Downtain, General Manager of Wave FC. “Laura played a critical role in the team last year, simultaneously managing and executing high level projects during our first season and I know she will be a great asset as we continue to grow our ambitions and elevate the club.”
In addition to Bachleter, Doran, Loxton, Barclay, Luethje and Hernandez, the Wave also announced the return of the following sporting staff members:
2023 San Diego Wave FC Sporting Staff:
General Manager – Molly Downtain
Assistant General Manager – Laura Doran
Player Experience Specialist – Dominique Hernandez
Head Coach – Casey Stoney
Assistant Coach – Jackie Bachteler
Assistant Coach/Head of Goalkeeping – Louis Hunt
Technical and Development Coach – Craig Barclay
Tactical Coach Analyst – Chris Loxston
Performance Analyst – Bennet Luethje
Head of Sport Science – Buddy Huttanus
Sports Performance Coach – Jill Zeller
Mental Performance and Wellbeing Coach – Lorna Harkins
Head of Physical Therapy – Katie Shaughnessy
Head of Medical/ Head Athletic Trainer – Bailey Torrez
Athletic Trainer – Abigail Rogers
Head of Equipment – Alex Bosse
Assistant Equipment Manager – Sophie Robinson
Wave FC will open its 2023 campaign on Saturday, March 25, at Snapdragon Stadium. Scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. PT, the match against the Chicago Red Stars kicks off the Wave’s first full season at the all-new Snapdragon Stadium. Tickets to attend the Wave’s 2023 home debut are now available for purchase by clicking here. Fans can also still secure a seat to all of the Wave’s home matches at Snapdragon Stadium by purchasing a season ticket for the 2023 campaign.
