Assistant Coach: U.S. Men's National Team
Hometown: Dunedin, Florida

John Hackworth joins the staff of the U.S. Men’s National Team after a distinguished career at the helm of the U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. During his time with the Under-17 program, the team had a mountain of success, reaching the knockout phase of the U-17 World Cup in three consecutive cycles.

In 2007, the U.S. advanced to the Round of 16 in Korea with a second-place group finish before falling to Germany. By advancing to the final phase, Hackworth continued the USA’s streak of being the only team in the world to have qualified for every World Cup at that age level.

Hackworth took over as head coach in late 2004 after two years as an assistant. That year, he led the team to a first-place finish in the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament in Costa Rica. During the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, the U.S. won their group and went undefeated for just the third time in 11 attempts, advancing to the quarterfinals and eventually finishing in fifth place for the second straight tournament.

Over the past five years, Hackworth has also been instrumental in helping produce some of the United States’ best young professional players, such as Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Danny Szetela (Columbus Crew), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Quavas Kirk (Los Angeles Galaxy) and the first overall pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, Freddy Adu (SC Benfica).

In addition to joining Bob Bradley’s national team staff, Hackworth will also serve as the Development Academy Director in U.S. Soccer’s new player development initiative that launched in 2007. The program is designed to improve the environment for elite players throughout the country.

Hackworth was an accomplished player at the college level. After starting for two seasons at Brevard (N.C.) College, where he earned All-Region and NSCAA All-South honors, Hackworth transferred to Wake Forest and, after red-shirting in 1990, helped the Demon Deacons to a ranking as high as number three in nation in 1991 and 1992.

Hackworth also played professionally for the Carolina Dynamos of the A-League in 1997, helping the team finish as national runner-ups. He also played two semi-professional seasons with the Carolina Crunch. Hackworth, born and raised in Dunedin, Fla., lives in Bradenton with his wife, Tricia. They have three sons, Morgan, Keaton and John Larsen.