Shadow Add Former Nomads, MLSNext Coach to Staff

Thursday, April 24, 2025

The Spokane Shadow are excited to announce the addition of Marcus Diaz to the Boys Coaching Staff beginning with the 2025-26 season. Diaz is joining the club from famed San Diego club Nomads where he has extensive coaching experience.

“I’m looking forward to joining the Shadow, I’ve heard so many good things about the club and its environment,” said Diaz. “I can’t wait to get started and bring my new ideas and energy to the club and team.”

Diaz developed in the club as a player from U8 to graduation for Nomads, including the final three years in the US Soccer Development Academy. Almost immediately following graduation he went into coaching for Nomads in 2011 and helped lead the U18 team to the playoffs four times as members of the DA and later MLSNext, including a third-place finish in 2015/16. In addition to coaching the U18s he served as the video analyst for all of the club’s academy teams.

“We are excited to announce a new addition to our coaching staff – Welcome Marcus,” said Boys U13+ Director of Coaching Jesse Retan. “Marcus comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Marcus’ previously coached with Nomads a club with a strong tradition of player development and soccer excellence. I am proud to add him to our staff and looking forward to watching him grow soccer in our club and community.”

In 2019 Diaz moved to Michigan where he coached high school soccer with a successful record, earning Conference Coach of the Year honors twice. He also served as an assistant for USL2 club AFC Ann Arbor in 2019.

He later returned to San Diego and began coaching Nomads in 2021 for six seasons, winning two regular season titles and making the postseason five times. The Nomads also made the UPSL Final twice during his tenure, which included a pair of Conference Coach of the Year honors.

Following his playing career Diaz attended San Diego Mesa College where he was a placekicker for the football team.

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