Troy McKerrell and Tony Awor land roles at Monterey Bay FC
- McKerrell becomes Assistant Coach, while Awor joins as Director of Recruitment
- The appointments come ahead of the new USL Championship season, which begins in March
Troy McKerrell and Tony Awor have joined Californian club Monterey Bay FC in key positions ahead of the 2026 USL Championship season. McKerrell will serve as Assistant Coach to Head Coach Jordan Stewart, while Awor becomes Director of Recruitment.
McKerrell was most recently U14 and U16 Academy Coach at Chicago Fire FC, where he also supported older academy groups with individual development plans.
Before his role with Chicago Fire FC, McKerrell was head coach of USL League Two’s Des Moines Menace, leading the team to a 9-1-2 season, a first-place finish in the Heartland Division, and a Regular Season Central Conference title.
Oliver Wyss, Monterey Bay FC Chairman and Chief Soccer Officer, discussed McKerrell’s appointment in a club statement:
“Troy brings over a decade of professional soccer experience from across every level of the game — as a head coach, assistant coach, and scout. His success leading Des Moines Menace to a first-place finish in USL League Two and his exceptional work (most recently at the MLS Chicago Fire Academy) speak to his leadership and tactical acumen. Troy’s UEFA A License, advanced coaching education, and background in organizational development and psychology make him an outstanding addition to our technical staff.”
Before moving to the USA, incoming Director of Recruitment Tony Awor coached at leading English youth academies, including Brentford FC, Chelsea FC, and Queens Park Rangers FC. More recently, he was Head Coach of USL’s Kings Hammer FC and their USL Academy. Awor has also worked as a Player Development Officer for New England Revolution and as a coach at Salem State College.
Speaking on Awor’s addition to the club’s staff, Oliver Wyss said:
“Tony brings an exceptional understanding of both the international and domestic soccer markets, which makes him an ideal fit for Monterey Bay FC. His experience as both a player and coach across Europe and the USL gives him a unique perspective on talent identification and development. Tony’s expertise will strengthen our recruitment strategy and he will be a tremendous asset as we continue to build a competitive and sustainable club.”
Both McKerrell and Awor were selected for participation in the USL Pro Preseason Residency (PPR) Program, which aims to create opportunities for qualified, high-potential candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. McKerrell was a member of the inaugural cohort in 2024, completing his residency with USL League One club Forward Madison FC. Awor took part in the 2025 cohort, carrying out his assignment with Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship.
We’re delighted for Troy and Tony and excited to see what they achieve with Monterey Bay.
