Real Salt Lake, Real Monarchs, and the RSL Academy are united by a shared mission of winning together through development. We are committed to building world-class teams by investing in people—developing players, staff, and leaders through collaboration, innovation, and a high-performance culture. If you’re passionate about soccer, coaching, and innovation, we invite you to grow your career with Utah Soccer.
SUMMARY:
The Set-Piece Coach leads the design, coaching, and analysis of all set pieces, attacking and defensive, for the first team, with alignment support to MLS NEXT Pro and the Academy (NWSL staffed separately). This role owns corner, free-kick, throw-in, and penalty strategy, ensuring clarity of roles, repetition in training, and measurable performance improvement.
This position plays a critical role in maximizing marginal gains by integrating video, tracking data, and opposition analysis into weekly preparation, delivering clear, actionable plans for players, coaches, and goalkeepers across men’s and youth programs.
The ideal candidate is a detail-driven on-field coach with deep tactical expertise in set-piece phases who translates analysis into simple, repeatable routines while collaborating closely with the Head Coach, assistant coaches, goalkeeper coach, and soccer analytics. Solid line to the Head Coach; dotted lines to the Sporting Director (strategy alignment) and the Director of Soccer Analytics (data and video inputs).
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Lead the Real Salt Lake’s set-piece strategy, covering attacking and defensive corners, direct and indirect free kicks, throw-ins, and penalties.
- Design clear, repeatable routines with defined roles, timing, delivery zones, and second-ball structures tailored to available personnel.
- Analyze opposition set pieces weekly using Hudl Sportscode and Wyscout video, supplemented by event/tracking outputs (StatsBomb, Opta, SkillCorner, Second Spectrum) via club analytics, to produce actionable scouting reports and match plans.
- Plan and deliver set-piece training blocks within the weekly schedule, ensuring efficient repetition, clarity, and player ownership.
- Coach individual delivery (corners, free kicks, throw-ins) and aerial and positional skills in coordination with technical and goalkeeper staff.
- Track set-piece KPIs (e.g., chances created and conceded, conversion rates, expected goals for and against) and report progress to the Head Coach and sporting leadership.
- Translate complex analysis into clear, actionable briefings for players, coaches, and goalkeepers through video, walkthroughs, and concise documents.
- Own matchday set-piece responsibilities, including final checks, in-game adjustments, and post-match review, as directed by the Head Coach.
- Evaluate emerging trends, technologies, and research in set-piece performance, driving continuous innovation.
- Promote knowledge sharing across MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, and Academy environments to elevate set-piece standards throughout the organization.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- USSF B License or UEFA B License (or equivalent experience; licensing equivalency review available) required; USSF A or UEFA A preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years coaching in elite football environments, with demonstrated impact on set-piece performance.
- Proficiency with Hudl Sportscode and Wyscout for video analysis and comfort interpreting event/tracking outputs (StatsBomb, Opta, SkillCorner, Second Spectrum) provided via club analytics.
- Extensive experience planning and delivering on-field sessions, including delivery mechanics, aerial organization, and zonal and man-marking structures.
- Strong understanding of game models, opposition analysis, and individual player development within set-piece phases.
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to manage weekly preparation timelines and matchday deliverables with accountability under competitive pressure.
- Ability to coach on the field, demonstrating techniques and managing equipment, mannequins, and training set-up.
- Ability to collaborate within complex, multi-team environments while maintaining alignment, trust, and accountability.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree and/or USSF A, UEFA A, or specialist set-piece certification strongly preferred.
- Experience delivering set-piece programs across men’s first-team and youth pathways.
- Playing experience in professional football, particularly in delivery-specialist or aerially demanding roles.
- Background in data-informed coaching, delivery biomechanics, or goalkeeper integration.
- Experience designing set-piece playbooks, video libraries, and coaching curricula.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The job requires regular on-field coaching, including standing, walking, demonstrating movements, and moving and lifting training equipment up to 25 pounds. The job involves outdoor work in varying conditions and frequent travel with the first team (approximately 30-40%), including evenings and weekends.
The Club provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.
Note: The need may arise to revise, supplement, or rescind portions of this job description, and the Club reserves the right to do so at any time. Employees shall be required to meet the qualifications and perform the duties of any revised job description.