Three NWSL clubs reside in or near the midwestern region of the United States, each of which has very different histories and current roster outlooks. However, these three clubs do share one notable similarity.
At the helm of these three clubs are three managers who have some level of playing experience. Whether that was in the MLS, NWSL or even just on the collegiate scene, these three managers all bring prior experience as a player here in the United States, making them all intriguing managers for their respective clubs.
Chris Armas – Kansas City Current
After a first place season for the KC Current, it was announced that Vlatko Andonovski was stepping away from his position as manager for another role within the club. With the vacant position, the Current opted to hire a man with a wealth of playing and coaching experience: Chris Armas.
For over a decade, Armas was a mainstay in the American soccer scene. The former midfielder and 6-time MLS all-star had an illustrious career as a player, making over 250 appearances between the LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire. He also was a mainstay with the USMNT, appearing in 66 games with the team and even earning himself the title as 2000s U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year.
Once his playing career was over, Armas immediately transitioned to coaching. His first major managerial job came with Adelphi University’s women’s soccer team. This would be his last time managing on the women’s scene for a bit, as from 2018 to 2025, Armas would coach throughout the MLS with multiple clubs, including his hometown New York Red Bulls.
Despite not being incredibly successful in the MLS as a coach, Armas’ experience and wealth of knowledge was undeniable. This led to him taking over for Andonovski in Kansas City, and making his return to women’s soccer. Of course, expectations are lofty considering the Current are coming off of a dominant season in 2025, but Armas is the person the organization believes in to lead them back to their winning ways and even perhaps the club’s first championship.
Martin Sjögren – Chicago Stars
The Chicago Stars are one of the most storied franchises in the NWSL. They are missing that illustrious NWSL Championship, however, and the club is putting their trust in Swedish-born Martin Sjögren to be the one to achieve it.
Similarly to Chris Armas, Sjögren is a former player as well, including playing college soccer here in the U.S. with the University of North Florida. It wouldn’t take long for Sjögren to jump into coaching though, in which he would coach throughout his native Sweden from 2004 to 2016. In 2016, he would take over as the manager of the Norway women’s national team, marking his first coaching job in women’s soccer and his most high-profile gig yet.
Following his time in Norway, Sjögren would go to a couple other places before 2026 rolled around. After a tumultuous 2025 season for the Chicago Stars, they needed stability at the manager position. Thus, they turned to Sjögren, who, despite making a slow start to his first year with Chicago, is the manager the club is putting their trust in to help turn the operation around.
Bev Yanez – Racing Louisville FC
2025 featured the first ever playoff appearance for Racing Louisville, and despite a heartbreaking exit on penalty kicks, it was serious momentum to build the ride into the future. Bev Yanez was the woman at the helm for this playoff campaign, and continues the theme of former players bringing a wealth of experience to their clubs.
The California-born Yanez had a long and successful career as a player, which included four seasons of D1 collegiate soccer, followed by over seven years playing professional footie. She had some stints overseas, such as in Finland, Japan and Australia, but really made her claim to fame playing in America. Specifically, Yanez was a mainstay for the Seattle Reign from 2015 to 2019, appearing in nearly 100 games and scoring 20 goals.
In 2021, Yanez made the move to coaching, and it didn’t take long for her to climb up the ranks. After a short time as an assistant coach with Gotham FC, she became the assistant coach in Louisville. This would turn out to be a great move, as she would get the inside-track to the manager job in late 2023. Since then, she earned herself the 2025 NWSL Coach of the Year Award and led Louisville to their first playoff appearance. Now, despite a slow start to the 2026 season, Yanez has proven the difference she can make by being the woman in charge, and will look to continue to try and ascend this young franchise.
Featured image via @racinglouisvillefc
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