CHICAGO (May 15, 2024) — U.S. Soccer has appointed Everett Palache as the new head coach of the U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team. Bringing 20 years of high-level coaching and technical experience to the role, Palache will guide his first camp when the team reconvenes this July in preparation for the 2024 Deaf Pan American Games to be held Nov. 7-18 in Canoas, Brazil.
“I feel blessed to have the chance to represent our country and also the Extended National Teams program as a whole and I’m thankful to everyone involved for providing this opportunity,” Palache said. “I’m very much looking forward to this new challenge, and what I’m most excited about is the prospect of bringing a sense of togetherness, helping continue past traditions and building upon successes that have developed with the Deaf Men’s National Team over the years.”
Palache, 44, brings 20 years of coaching and technical experience on the national and local level, having served U.S. Soccer as a Coaching Educator and assistant coach in the Extended National Teams program. Locally, he has spent the last 13 years with Cleveland Force Soccer Club where he currently serves as Technical Director, guiding all sporting aspects for the organization. Prior to that role, he worked as the club’s Director of Soccer Programming and Director of Coaching from 2011-2018, and Academy Director, Director of Coaching and USL Technical Director from 2018-2021.
Concurrent with his time at Cleveland Force, Palache worked as Assistant Technical Director for Cleveland Soccer Academy from 2011-2015, and in various coaching roles with Cleveland United, Brad Friedel’s Premier Soccer Academy, Columbus Crew Juniors, Cleveland Alliance Soccer Academy and Cleveland Soccer Academy.
“I am delighted to welcome Everett as our Head Coach of the Deaf MNT,” said Stuart Sharp, Head of U.S. Soccer’s Extended National Teams. “He has impressed us throughout the recruitment process with his game philosophy and eagerness to further develop an already talented player pool. I know Everett is eager to get started in what is an important year with the Pan Am Games at the end of the year serving as the qualifiers for the 2025 Deaflympics. With his first camp around the corner, I am confident the players will relish working within the enjoyable and demanding team culture he creates.”
Holder of the U.S. Soccer National “A” License and Academy Director License, Palache has also earned the NSCAA’s Director of Coaching License. A 2002 graduate of Philadelphia University where he earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Psychology, Palache played collegiately for the Rams from 1998-2001, and also with Internationals Soccer Club, Cleveland Futbol Club and Cleveland United Soccer Club.
The U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team is one of nine teams under U.S. Soccer’s Extended National Teams program and includes eligible qualifying players who must have a hearing loss of at least 55DB in their “better ear.” Having joined U.S. Soccer in 2022, the Deaf MNT has played internationally since 1965, competing in the DIFA World Deaf Football Championships, the Summer Deaflympics and Deaf Pan American Games.
For more information on the Deaf MNT or to inquire about athlete eligibility, please email U.S. Soccer's Extended National Teams Department at extendednt@ussoccer.org.
About the U.S. Soccer Federation
Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer has been the official governing body of the sport in the United States for more than 100 years. As U.S. Soccer looks toward the future amid an unprecedented moment of opportunity, it has aligned its efforts around five strategic pillars: Grow the game by increasing youth and adult participation and accessibility to the sport; Foster best playing environments through quality of referees and coaches, and commitment to participant safety; Develop winning teams through solidified pathways and success of professional leagues; Grow the soccer economy to fuel reinvestment by increasing membership, fandom and commercial success; and Create a world-class organization through revitalized structure and culture, best-in-class talent, progress in DEIB and more. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision.
