USA Field Hockey Announces U-21 USWNT Staff

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is pleased to announce newly appointed staff members of the U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team. Ange Bradley will serve as the head coach and Manuel García Nieto the assistant coach, both on a volunteer basis.

“We were impressed with the quality of the applicant pool for the women’s U-21 head coach position,” said Grant Fulton, USA Field Hockey’s Director of Junior High Performance. “Our head coach, assistant coach and their support staff have a wealth of expertise and experience which will help foster an environment for the athletes to thrive. We are very fortunate for this fantastic group of coaches and staff that are willing to support the next generation of the U.S. Women’s National Team.”

Bradley and García Nieto both come from current involvement with the USWNT junior program and bring an abundance of experience from the college system.

Previously named to the U-16 USWNT coaching staff in 2023, Bradley will bring decades of field hockey coaching experience and education to the role of U-21 USWNT head coach. From 2007 to 2022 Bradley served as the head coach of Syracuse University, guiding the team to an NCAA Championship title and four NCAA Semifinal appearances. She is not only a certified Level 3 USA Field Hockey Coach, but also is an instructor for all three levels of coach education. Bradley has been a coach educator or speaker at several high profile USA Field Hockey events, including the 2023 National Coaches Forum and 2024 Tactical Edge Workshop.

Prior to her long stay at Syracuse, Bradley found success coaching several Division I programs. She was assistant coach at the University of Iowa for two years, then joined the staff at the University of Maryland for four years, which included a NCAA National Championship title. From 2000 to 2006, Bradley was the head coach at the University of Richmond, and tenure that featured five consecutive Atlantic 10 (A10) championship titles and two awards for A10 Coach of the Year.

Bradley is currently involved in player development in different areas, including the Nexus and in the club circuit for Mainline Hockey Club and PowerHouse Field Hockey.

"It’s an honor to lead the U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team and work with such talented athletes and staff,” commented Bradley. “My goal is to build a culture of excellence, teamwork, and resilience as we prepare to achieve a historic milestone: winning a Junior World Cup medal, a feat no U.S. U-21 has yet to accomplish. Together we’ll embrace the challenge of not only developing world class players but cultivating leaders who will inspire generations to come.”

García Nieto was also named to the women’s junior staff in 2023, joining as an assistant coach to the U-18 squad. Now, he will continue to serve the program as assistant coach for the U-21 USWNT.

García Nieto began his coaching journey in Buenos Aires, Argentina for Club Atlético Banco Provincia de Buenos Aires and later as head coach of St. Andrew’s Scottish Club. He continued on to become director of Hans Christian Andersen Club in 2017, then became head coach of both the U-18 women’s program for Club Universitario de Buenos Aires (CUBA) and the U-14/U-16 men’s program at Club Atlético Banco Provincia de Buenos Aires.

Pivoting over to the United States in 2021, García Nieto gained experience in nearly all facets of development: high school, club, college, and junior national team. From 2022 to the present, he has served as the assistant coach at the University of North Carolina, picking up two NCAA Championship titles and one NFHCA Coaching Staff of the Year honor in that time.

In addition to being Level 3 certified from USA Field Hockey, García Nieto also has a Level 2 International Hockey Federation (FIH) certification and Level 3 Argentine Hockey Confederation (CAH) certification.

“I am honored to be part of the U.S. U-21 Women's National Team Staff,” said García Nieto. “I am looking forward to working with this group and I will do my best to contribute to the development of the athletes and the program.”

The upcoming calendar for the U-21 USWNT consists of Selection Camp from January 3 to 5 and again from January 31 to February 2 in Charlotte, N.C. Training Camps will take place in March, April and May in Charlotte, N.C. The 5-Nation Tournament is set to take place May 24 to June 1 in Rosario City, Argentina, and will be followed by another Training Camp in Charlotte, N.C. in late June.