With more than two decades of playing and coaching experience, the decision to add Wade Webber to the Sounders FC Academy coaching staff came easy for Technical Director Marc Nicholls.
Webber and former Sounders goalkeeper Troy Perkins were both added to the Academy’s staff on Monday, a vital boost for the development of the team’s future stars.
“Investing in quality coaching from top to bottom is vital to the success of our system,” Nicholls said, “and adding both Troy and Wade provides further quality for our young players. They are a perfect fit for our current needs.”
Webber has years of experience throughout Western Washington, including over a decade as a pro himself. He made appearances for both the Sounders and Portland Timbers in the years before MLS was founded, and later suited up with the Dallas Burn (1997) and Miami Fusion (1998-99).
A native of Federal Way, Webber won three consecutive state championships at Thomas Jefferson High School, and the state’s first national club championship with Goalpost SC U-16s in 1983.
Webber eventually transitioned into coaching after his playing days ended, starting first with Norpoint FC (1999-2003) and later Federal Way Reign (2003-05) and FC Royals (2005-06). Webber has served as the Director of Coaching for Washington Premier FC for the last seven years, picking up four state championships and two regional titles in that time.
Now, Webber moves from the radio booth – where he’s served the Rave Green since 2012 – to the sidelines, where he’ll be serving as the head coach of the Academy’s U-15 team.
“My conversations with Marc Nicholls and Garth Lagerwey have convinced me that the club has not only the ambition to create the best youth development system in North America, but with the support of ownership, there is also a long-term vision and plan for making that happen,” Webber said.
“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to join the staff working to make that vision a reality.”
