Nik Besagno named new head coach of PDL Washington Crossfire

KIRKLAND, Wash. – (press release) The Washington Crossfire have named Nik Besagno as the new head coach for the 2013 season. The MLS veteran takes over the coaching reins after having competed for the Crossfire in the 2012 PDL season, helping the side reach the Northwest Division playoffs.

“We are very excited to have Nik take on the head coaching roll for this year’s team,” said Crossfire General Manager Gary Whitehouse. “Besides being the captain for last year’s team, Nik has become a youth coach with Crossfire Premier. We felt that with our continued direction of having our team made up of more former and current Crossfire Academy players that Nik was our best choice,” Whitehouse said.

As one of the most touted young youth players in the country, Besagno became the first overall pick of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft when he was drafted by his former United States Under-17 coach and then Real Salt Lake boss John Ellinger. At the age of 16, Besagno, who signed a Generation adidas contract with MLS, became the second-youngest player in league history to be drafted, behind 2004′s number one overall choice, 14-year-old Freddy Adu.

Following his release from Real Salt Lake in 2008, Besagno had a short stint with the Seattle Sounders FC in MLS before signing with the Kitsap Pumas, helping the side claim the PDL championship in 2011. He joined the Crossfire for the 2012 season, making 12 appearances and scoring one goal as the Crossfire reached the playoffs for the first time since their inaugural 2009 season.

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