Conner Cappelletti
Personal information
Date of birth (1989-01-17) January 17, 1989
Place of birth Kent, Washington, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Richmond Kickers (assistant)
Youth career
2004–2006 Valley FC
2006–2007 Birmingham United
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 Wallace State Lions
2009–2010 Valparaiso Crusaders 19 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009 Indiana Invaders 16 (0)
2010 Kansas City Brass 14 (0)
2011–2012 Rocket City United
2013 Lane United 0 (0)
Total 30+ (0+)
International career
2016 Guam 3 (0)
Managerial career
2017 Lane Titans (interim)
2017–2019 Lane Titans
2019 Lane United
2023 North Alabama SC
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Conner Cappelletti (born January 17, 1989) is an association football coach and former player. Previously the head coach at Lane United, Lane Community College, and North Alabama SC, he is an assistant coach for USL League One club Richmond Kickers. Born in the United States, he represented Guam at international level, playing as a defender.

A native of Kent, Washington, Cappelletti grew up in Alabama and attended Bob Jones High School, where he was a three-sport athlete. After playing youth football with Valley FC and Birmingham United, he spent his first two years of college at Wallace State Community College before transferring to Valparaiso University. Cappelletti played while in school with Indiana Invaders and Kansas City Brass, both in the Premier Development League, and played three more years after graduating: two seasons in the National Premier Soccer League with Rocket City United and a pair of friendly matches with Lane United. Three years after ending his club career, he was called up for the first and only time by Guam, earning three caps at the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship.

Cappelletti transitioned into coaching during his playing career, taking charge of youth and high school teams before taking a job as an assistant coach with Lane United following his playing retirement. In 2017, he was named the head coach at Lane Community College, and in 2019 doubled up when he was promoted to head coach at Lane United. He stepped down from both positions in November 2019.

Early life

Cappelletti was born on January 17, 1989, in Kent, Washington, the son of Cap and Christi Cappelletti.[1] As a child, he lived in Tennessee and Germany before his family settled in Madison, Alabama, ahead of his sophomore year of high school.[2][3] Cappelletti was a three-sport athlete at Bob Jones High School, playing basketball, American football, and association football. He was on varsity in all three sports as both a junior and senior; with the Patriots soccer team, he was team captain and MVP and scored 15 goals during his senior season.[1]

At club level, Cappelletti played two years with Valley FC and one year with Birmingham United.[3] Without a Division I scholarship offer following his high school graduation, he elected to attend Wallace State Community College and play for the Lions' team in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).[4]

Playing career

College and amateur

For two seasons, Cappelletti played college soccer at Wallace State, serving as a team captain as a sophomore.[1] He earned NJCAA All-Region honors in both seasons, with the Lions going 15–3–0 under his leadership in 2008.[1] Academically, he was named to the President's List in May 2009.[5] Following his two years at Wallace State, he was recruited and received a scholarship to attend Valparaiso University and play under head coach Mike Avery.[3][6] Joining Cappelletti in transferring to Valpo was his Wallace State teammate Roby Del Giudice, and the Crusaders' 2009 recruiting class also included Stefan Antonijevic.[7]

On September 1, 2009, Cappelletti made his Division I and Valparaiso debut, starting in a 2–0 victory over Eastern Illinois. He played the full 90 minutes, anchoring a Crusader backline that allowed just four shots on target.[8] He went on to appear in 13 matches during his junior season, including starting in all three games Valpo played that year against ranked opponents.[9][10][11] Cappelletti was chosen to play less as a senior: he appeared in just six matches for the Crusaders.[12] His lone start of the year came in his final collegiate game, as he played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 victory over Detroit on November 6, 2010.[13] Cappelletti played 19 matches over his two seasons with the Crusaders and was part of Valpo squads that earned two consecutive winning seasons for the first time in the team's history.[1][13]

Premier Development League

While in college, Cappelletti spent two summers playing in the Premier Development League (PDL). Ahead of his first year at Valpo, he took the field with Indiana Invaders. In his lone season with the Invaders, Cappelletti appeared in 16 matches.[14] He returned to the PDL ahead of his senior season with the Crusaders, this time playing with Kansas City Brass.[15] Cappelletti appeared in 14 games for the Brass during his time with the club and trained with Major League Soccer club Kansas City Wizards.[3][14]

Later career

Following his graduation from college, Cappelletti did not pursue a professional career, instead returning to Alabama. He signed on to play with National Premier Soccer League club Rocket City United, with who he would spend two seasons.[3][16] While playing with Rocket City, Cappelletti also worked as a youth coach for his former youth club, Valley FC, as well as coaching at the high school level. He spent one year as the junior varsity coach at Sparkman High School and one year as the varsity head coach at James Clemens High School.[3]

Cappelletti returned to the Pacific Northwest in 2013, joining newly-formed PDL club Lane United. Although the club did not begin league play until the 2014 season, they did play several friendly matches over the summer of 2013. Cappelletti appeared for the Reds in the first match in club history, a 3–0 defeat against Portland Timbers U23s on July 18.[2] He did not continue as a player once the club began league play, however, and ended his club career by accepting a role as an assistant coach with Lane United.[17] While serving with the Reds, he additionally worked as a coach for local youth club Eugene Timbers.[3]

International career

In October 2016, three years after ending his club career, Cappelletti was called up for the first time by the Guam national team for the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship.[18][19] Although he was in the squad as a player, Cappelletti said he was excited for the callup as a "learning tool for coaching" and that he would be able to see firsthand what coaching is like at the national team level.[15] He made his Guamanian debut on November 6, 2016, replacing Ian Mariano at halftime of an eventual 3–2 defeat against Hong Kong.[19][20] Cappelletti appeared in all three of Guam's matches at the tournament and was not called up again by the country.[21]

Coaching career

While still working as an assistant coach at Lane United, Cappelletti was named as the interim head coach at Lane Community College (LCC) on June 20, 2017.[22] Without a formal announcement, he became the permanent head coach for the Titans before the 2017 season had begun.[23] His first game in charge of Lane ended in a 3–2 victory over Skagit Valley on August 24.[24] Lane finished with a 5–9–0 record in Cappelletti's first season in charge but recovered to go 6–6–3 in 2018, the program's best record since being brought back from hiatus.[23] In 2019, the Titans led their region of the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) through seven games;[25] they ended up finishing second and qualified for the NWAC playoffs for the first time in program history.[26] Although the Titans were defeated in the regional playoff by Everett,[27] Cappelletti was named as the Southern Region Co-Coach of the Year.[28]

Following the 2018 PDL season, Lane United head coach John Galas departed the club to become an assistant coach at FC Tucson; Cappelletti was promoted to become the Reds' new head coach.[29] He became just the second head coach in club history.[30] To fill out his staff, Cappelletti hired his youth and college teammate Chace Zanaty as an assistant and brought in former American international Nate Jaqua as strikers coach.[17] In his first game in charge of the Reds, Cappelletti and Lane United earned a 1–1 draw against Victoria Highlanders on May 10, 2019.[31] Lane United finished with a 5–4–5 record in Cappelletti's lone season in charge, equaling the best record in club history.[32]

On November 20, 2019, Cappelletti resigned his positions with both LCC and Lane United. He and his fiancée moved to Ohio, where Cappelletti took a position as a coach at Cincinnati-area youth club Cincinnati United SC.[33] He departed Lane United with a 5–4–5 record from his lone season in charge and ended his Titans tenure with a record of 16–18–9.[23][34] Cappelletti spent two years at Cincinnati United, then in 2021 was hired as an assistant coach for the Western Oregon Wolves, a brand-new NCAA Division II program. He was the first assistant in program history, but left the team before it ever played a game.[35] In 2022, Cappelletti returned to Lane United as an assistant coach while also serving as an assistant for the Willamette Bearcats men's and women's teams.[36][37]

Ahead of the 2023 season, Cappelletti briefly joined North Alabama SC as the club's assistant director of coaching.[38] Shortly after, he was named as the head coach of the senior men's team, playing in USL League Two, and as an assistant coach for the senior women's team, playing in the USL W League.[39] However, after just one month in Alabama and without taking charge of a game, Cappelletti received a professional coaching offer and departed to become an assistant coach for USL League One club Richmond Kickers. The head coach of the Kickers, Darren Sawatzky, was the head coach of Guam when Cappelletti earned his three caps with the national team.[40]

Career statistics

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[21][41]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Guam 201630
Total30

Managerial

As of February 1, 2023[42]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
GWLTWin %Ref.
Lane Titans June 20, 2017 November 20, 2019 43 16 18 9 037.21 [23]
Lane United January 11, 2019 November 20, 2019 14 5 4 5 035.71 [34]
North Alabama SC December 30, 2022 February 1, 2023 0 0 0 0 !— [40]
Total 57 21 22 14 036.84

Honors

Individual

  • NWAC South Region Co-Coach of the Year: 2019[28]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Conner Cappelletti – Valparaiso profile". ValpoAthletics.com. Valparaiso Crusaders. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Lane United personnel: Head Coach Conner Cappelletti". LaneUnitedFC.com. Lane United. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Eugene Timbers coaching staff: Conner Cappelletti". EugeneTimbers.com. Eugene Timbers Fútbol Club. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  4. ↑ Galbreath, David (March 26, 2019). "Titan head coach to lead Lane United Football Club". LCCTorch.com. The Torch News Group. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Wallace State Awards Night Features College's Outstanding Students". The Mane Issue. Vol. 6, no. 6. Hanceville, Alabama. May 2009. p. 8. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Crusader Men's Soccer Adds Four Newcomers for 2009 Campaign". ValpoAthletics.com. Valparaiso Crusaders. February 4, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  7. ↑ "2009–10 Valparaiso men's soccer roster". ValpoAthletics.com. Valparaiso Crusaders. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Bullard Scores Twice as Crusader Men Capture Season Opener". ValpoAthletics.com. Valparaiso Crusaders. September 1, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Crusaders Battle in 2–1 Loss to #22/23 Michigan". ValpoAthletics.com. Valparaiso Crusaders. September 6, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Crusaders Take #8/10 USF to Overtime, Fall 1-0". ValpoAthletics.com. Valparaiso Crusaders. September 8, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Valpo Drops Road Test to Nationally-Ranked Spartans". ValpoAthletics.com. Valparaiso Crusaders. September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  12. ↑ "2010 Valparaiso men's soccer statistics". ValpoAthletics.com. Valparaiso Crusaders. November 6, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  13. 1 2 "Crusaders Send Seniors Out Winners With 2-0 Victory Over Detroit". ValpoAthletics.com. Valparaiso Crusaders. November 6, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  14. 1 2 "Conner Cappelletti at SoccerStats.us". SoccerStats.us. SoccerStats.us. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  15. 1 2 "Lane United's Conner Cappelletti selected to play for Guam Men's National Team". LaneUnitedFC.com. Lane United FC. October 18, 2016. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  16. ↑ "2012 Rocket City United roster". RocketCityUnited.com. Rocket City United. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  17. 1 2 LUFC Media (April 24, 2019). "Meet the coaching staff". LaneUnitedFC.com. Lane United FC. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  18. ↑ Watson, Blake (November 2, 2016). "Final Matao Roster Set for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Semifinals". PNCGuam.com. Sorensen Media Group. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  19. 1 2 PDL staff (October 18, 2016). "Lane United's Cappelletti Earns Guam Call-up". USLLeagueTwo.com. Premier Development League. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  20. ↑ Polenghi, Cesare (November 6, 2016). "Hong Kong 3–2 Guam: Match Review". EAFF.com. East Asian Football Federation. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  21. 1 2 "Conner Cappelletti". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  22. ↑ "LCC Athletics names Conner Cappelletti as interim head men's soccer coach". LaneTitans.com. Lane Community College. June 20, 2017. Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "Conner Cappelletti – Lane CC profile". LaneTitans.com. Lane Community College. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Lane 3–2 Skagit Valley". NWACSports.com. Northwest Athletic Conference. August 24, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  25. ↑ Lobaina, Julia (October 10, 2019). "LCC men's soccer on the way to historic season". KVAL.com. KVAL-TV. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  26. ↑ @LaneMSoccer (October 17, 2019). "With the final results today and 17 points on top of the table, the men's program clinches a playoffs spot for the first time in program history! ⚡️ With two games still to play, we are fighting for a chance to win the South Region🏆⁣ #Road2NWACPlayoffs #TitanPride #FirstTime" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. ↑ "Lane 1–3 Everett". LaneTitans.com. Lane Community College. November 6, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  28. 1 2 "Titans have COTY and four All-Stars". LaneTitans.com. Lane Community College. November 12, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  29. ↑ Haubner, Andrew (June 21, 2019). "Cappelletti leaning into new role with LUFC". KEZI. Allen Media Broadcasting. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  30. ↑ Lane United FC staff (January 11, 2019). "FC Tucson names John Galas assistant coach". LaneUnitedFC.com. Lane United FC. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Victoria Highlanders 1–1 Lane United". USLLeagueTwo.com. USL League Two. May 10, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  32. ↑ @LaneUnitedFC (July 13, 2019). "Reds end the season at 5-4-5, equaling their best season in club history. Thank you fans, @redacessupportersgroup, @2townscider @agatealleybistro @hummelsport and @tensegrityphysicaltherapy for your support! #wearethereds #somoslosrojos #WATR #deeplyrooted #usl2 #path2pro" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ↑ "Lane's Cappelletti steps down as men's soccer coach". The Register-Guard. November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  34. 1 2 "2019 Lane United results". USLLeagueTwo.com. USL League Two. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  35. ↑ Brandon, Steve (January 5, 2022). "Men's soccer coach filling out roster for next fall". Polk County Itemizer-Observer. Eagle Newspapers. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Conner Cappelletti Rejoins Staff as Assistant Coach" (Press release). Lane United FC. March 9, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Willamette Soccer Camps – Staff". Willamette Men's Soccer Camps. Willamette Bearcats. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  38. ↑ Few, John (December 1, 2022). "Former Patriot named assistant director of coaching at North Alabama SC". Madison County Record. Madison Publications, LLC. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Conner Cappelletti named USL2 head coach" (Press release). Huntsville, Alabama: North Alabama SC. December 30, 2022. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  40. 1 2 Heintschel, Nathan (February 1, 2023). "Conner Cappelletti Joins Kickers' Technical Staff As An Assistant Coach". Richmond Kickers (Press release). United Soccer League. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  41. ↑ Conner Cappelletti at Soccerway. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  42. ↑ "Conner Cappelletti at USL League Two". USLLeagueTwo.com. USL League Two. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
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