Fire adds Matkovich to staff
Chicago Fire technical director Frank Klopas and head coach Denis Hamlett on Tuesday announced they have added Mike Matkovich to the coaching staff. Matkovich will serve as a first team assistant coach as well as an adviser for the Chicago Fire Academy.
"We are pleased to add a coach like Mike Matkovich to the Chicago Fire coaching staff and organization," Klopas said. "Mike will not only be an important part of our first team coaching staff because of his experience and knowledge of the game, but his experience with player development will be an important addition to our Chicago Fire Academy staff as we work toward developing future Fire players in Chicago."
"Mike has extensive coaching experience, from youth up to the professional level, and we feel that he will be a good addition to our staff as we continue to work toward bringing a championship to the Chicago Fire fans," said Fire Head Coach Denis Hamlett.
Matkovich joins the Fire's technical staff after spending the 2008 season as an assistant coach with Chivas USA and 2007 as an assistant coach with Toronto FC during their inaugural season.
Most recently, Matkovich was named head coach of the U.S. Under-18 men's national team, leading an 18-man squad to a gold medal at the Australia Youth Olympic Festival, held from Jan. 9-19, 2009. Matkovich is 2-0-1 in his international coaching career, winning the championship of his first international tournament.
Matkovich rejoins the Fire family as he spent 2002-2006 at the helm of the Chicago Fire Reserves of the Premier Development League. While with the Fire Reserves PDL, he amassed a 79-15-4 record, winning the division title from 2003-2006 and made it to the championship game in 2003. Matkovich coached Fire forward Chris Rolfe and defender Dasan Robinson during his time with the Fire PDL.
While serving as Director of Soccer for the Chicago Magic, Matkovich earned his National "A" Coaching License and was named National Coach of the Year by the NSCAA in 2000.
No stranger to Chicago professional soccer, Matkovich was the assistant coach of the Chicago Power of the indoor National Professional Soccer League from 1990-1994, helping the team to a national championship in 1990.
Born Nov. 9, 1962, in Naperville, Matkovich currently resides in Frankfort.