Head Coach - Twila Kaufman

Twila Kaufman enters her first season as the Head Coach of the LA Legends W-League Team. She has spent the past 5 years as a member of the Pepperdine University Wave’s coaching staff. Kaufman is involved in all phases of the program, including conditioning, practice planning, academic affairs and game management. Kaufman is also the recruiting coordinator and has brought in nationally ranked freshmen classes from 2005-08 according to Soccer Buzz, including a program-best #15 ranking in 2007. Since Kaufman joined Pepperdine, the Waves are 40-25-15 (.594) in four seasons and have been to two NCAA Tournaments, including the 2005 Sweet 16.

 

She is also currently working as a Region IV ODP staff coach and with the Camarillo Eagles Soccer Club. She previously had stints with the Cal South ODP system.

 

Before coming to Pepperdine, Kaufman served as a volunteer assistant coach at Northern Arizona . Kaufman also served as co-director of the Northern Arizona Training Academy in Flagstaff, Ariz. , and accumulated three years experience as an assistant coach for the Arizona ODP system. While living in Arizona, Kaufman also had coaching jobs with Salpointe Catholic High School , The Foothills Soccer Club and the ASUSC Black Hawks.

 

Kaufman was a four-year starter at the University of Arizona , where she served as team captain and finished her career ranked in the top 10 in eight different statistical categories, including #1 in matches played. She was selected to the Pacific-10 Conference’s All-Academic team three times and was a Mary Roby Award recipient for four years. Kaufman was also named the Wildcats’ Rookie of the Year in 1998.

 

She reached the pinnacle of her playing career while competing for two seasons with the Arizona Heatwave of the W-1 League, which was affiliated with WUSA.

 

A native of Los Angeles, Kaufman attended nearby Harvard-Westlake High School . As a club player, she played for the Las Virgenes Blazers (now Real Southern California) before moving to the Southern California Blues Soccer Club, where she played for Hugh Donald and won two state championships (1997 and 1998). Kaufman was also a member of the Cal South and Region IV ODP teams and was in the national pool.

 

Kaufman graduated from Arizona with a bachelor of arts degree in 2003. She holds a USSF National “B” license. She currently resides in Calabasas.

(Bio. & photo courtesy of Pepperdine University)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assistant Coach - Kristy Kieley

Kristi Kiely will coach under Twila Kaufman as an assistant coach for the LA Legends women’s team.

Kristi Kiely graduated from Westmont University in 2005. At Westmont, she served as the primary assistant coach for the women’s soccer team. As a student-athlete, Kristi was a part of Westmont’s three national championship teams from 2001 through 2003. As a midfielder, the three-time All-GSAC performer scored 13 goals and tallied 30 assists.

 (Bio. & photo courtesy of Westmont University)

 

 

 

Assistant Coach - Ali Malaekah  

Ali joins the LA Legends after being assistant coach for the Vanguard women’s soccer program. Malaekeh will assist Twila Kaufman, the Head Coach.

Malaekeh’s coaching resume’ includes stints as an assistant coach at University of Louisville and University of Southern Indiana, as well as extensive club experience. He served on the staff of the Olympic Development Program for Regions II and IV, and has coached with the United FC and Slammers FC.

Malaekeh graduated from University of Southern Indiana in 1983 and brings a wealth of experience to the LA Legends Women’s team.

Ali and his wife Karen were married last November and attend Saddleback Church.

 (Bio. & photo courtesy of Vanguard University)

 

 

Goalkeeper Coach - Chris Swift

Chris joins the LA Legends women’s soccer coaching staff this summer, focusing his time and efforts on the goalkeepers. Chris is a former goalkeeper for the Vanguard men’s team, Swift will use his playing experience, knowledge to train the goalkeepers for the LA Legends.

Swift played five years in Vanguard’s men’s program, including one redshirt season, and was a three-time Academic All-GSAC and NAIA Scholar-Athlete. Notching 138 saves, 13 wins, and four shutouts in goal for the Lions, Swift was also the epitome of a team player during his career and was a part of the 2004 GSAC Championship team.

Swift’s coaching experience includes working with San Juan Hills High School, Aliso Niguel High School, and the United Football Club. This experience will be a great addition to the LA Legend’s coaching staff.

Chris graduated from Vanguard with a Bachelor’s degree in History/Political Science in 2006. He and his wife Marissa, a former VU women’s goalkeeper, live in Costa Mesa.

(Bio. & photo courtesy of Vanguard University)

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ramon Reid - General Manager

Ramon Reid is the General Manager for the LA Legends. He already has great experience with women’s soccer. This experience will serve as a great addition to the LA Legends women’s team.

Ramon has served at a staff coach for Slammers FC for the last four years. He most recently served as Slammers FC College Recruiting Coordinator. As the College Coordinator Ramon has established dozens of relationships with college coaches throughout the U.S. Ramon principally works with our oldest teams on the girl’s side and helps prepare them for State, Regional, and National competitions.