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The Missouri Comets announced the promotion of Huw Williams to the position of Director of Soccer Operations earlier this week. It is a position he has been filling for awhile but was just made official. Williams will oversee operations of both the defending MISL champion Missouri Comets and FC Kansas City. Williams will also continue as FC Kansas City's assistant coach.
"I would like to thank the Likens family for showing the confidence in me by providing this new opportunity," said Williams via press release. "I am determined to help continue the success of both teams on and off the fields and will be striving towards further embedding our players and teams within the communities that we represent."
FC Kansas City and Missouri Comets head coach Vlatko Andonovski spoke after Blues' practice and was pleased with Williams' promotion. "I am very happy to have Huw in charge of things. Everything he has done in the off season, things that most people don't even know, things behind the scenes has been tremendous."
"From the practice facility to game field to apartments and homes for the players, contracts for the new players he brought in from Sarah Hagen to Katrina Gorry and Liz Bogus it amazing," Anodonvski continued. "I have to say I have great working relationship with him. I've great respect for him and I'm extremely happy to have him take this role."
Williams brings nearly 30 years of experience in soccer administration to this position. Williams has served as coach, club director, and technical director of various soccer clubs and has run his own sports marketing and soccer camp business. Working with FC Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski, he has also been one of the main architects in the structure of the NWSL franchise.
Effective immediately, Williams will oversee the front office staff and manage the on-field personnel aspects of both teams. FC Kansas City is preparing for their second season in the NWSL after finishing in a tie for the league's best record last season and an appearance in the NWSL Semi-Finals. The Missouri Comets just completed their 2013-2014 season, culminating in the team's first Championship series victory.