Abner Rogers, Head Coach
A nationally respected coach with extensive experience and a history of success in the women's game, the London-born Rogers served as the President and Director of Coaching at the Laguna Hills Soccer Club Eclipse since 2001. The Eclipse has been a nationally ranked girls club for the past four years and won national championships in 2002 and 2005. Rogers created the program's philosophy, curriculum and guidelines, including coaches' education, which has propelled the club into national prominence.
Rogers has extensive experience directing college showcases for elite teams from the U.S., highlighting 15-18 year-old players. For his accomplishments at the youth level, Rogers was awarded the California Youth Soccer Association Coach of the Year award in 1995 and 2005.
In addition to Rogers serving as the head coach of the United States Adult Soccer Association's National Team (USASA). In this role, Rogers has coached international games against Mexico, Australia, and the USA, as well as several U20 national teams.
Prior to his success with the Eclipse and the USASA team, Rogers was the Head Coach of the Region IV Women's Olympic Development Program team which won Gold medals at the US Soccer Festival in 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002.
"As we prepare for the inaugural WPS season, our priority was to find an experienced, qualified individual who will bring a strong work ethic to the team, on and off the field, as well as creating an exciting, winning style of play that our fans will appreciate," said Scott Hanley, Vice President, AEG Sports, investors in the franchise. "We are pleased to have found these attributes in Abner, and look forward to launching a successful and exciting franchise for Los Angeles under his leadership."
Overall, Rogers has guided 11 players to the professional ranks, 27 to Regional teams, 18 to National teams and 5 players to World Cup competition. Rogers, who will step down as Director of Coaching of the Laguna Hills soccer club, will continue as its President.
A Graduate of City and East London College, Rogers currently resides in Northern Orange County.
Hubert Busby, Jr, Assistant Coach
As a player, Busby spent time with the Toronto Lynx, Montreal Impact, Oxford United, Crystal Palace and Vancouver Whitecaps. Busby has twelve years of experience at the professional level. Busby also spent time with the Jamaican National team (World Cup qualification in 2002).
Busby began his professional coaching life in 2003 with the Ottawa Wizards, where he led them to a CPSL title. In 2004 he lead the team to the league championship again and an undefeated season. In 2005 Busby was named the Head Coach for the Toronto Lynx of the USL First Division.
Busby holds a USSF "A" license and NSCAA "A" diploma. He has a Bachelors degree in Sociology. With over 10 years of diversified coaching experience including the women's programs at Farleigh Dickinson University and Queens University.
Busby's last role was as the Vancouver Whitecaps affiliate program Mountain W FC. As Technical Director and Academy coach, he was responsible for overseeing training programs, scouting and recommending players for the first team. Busby also served as the Technical Director at the North Shore Soccer Development Center.
Busby currently resides in Irvine, Orange County.
Neil Powell, Assistant Coach
Powell is a passionate coach with an impressive soccer background. Powell came to the United States in 1996, after playing semi-professional soccer for seven years in England. Powell has coached with Wimbledon FC and also worked with the English FA. His father coached in the English Youth National team programs and Powell has followed in his father's footsteps while in the U.S., helping to guide some of the most impressive talent in the country.
As a player, Powell played for Sholing Sports, Aerostructures, Banstead Athletic, Molesey FC, and St. Leonards. As a coach, he has gained a broad experience coaching and developing players of all levels and ages, beginning at Wimbledon FC (of the English Premier League), where he served as a Center of Excellence coach, camps coach and director. While coaching in England, Powell was named the English Football Association's Southern Regional team goalkeeping coach for U15 and U16 teams.
In 1999 Powell served as the men's goalkeeper coach at the University of California Santa Barbara and in 2003 he moved to the women's side at UCSB.
Powell began working with Abner Rogers at the Laguna Hills Soccer Club in 2004, where he was eventually named the Director of Coaching. The Eclipse has been a nationally ranked girls club for the past four years and won national championships in 2002 and 2005.
Powell spent three year studying at Southampton Solent University; Powell currently resides in Mission Viejo, California.