Wynalda hired as Silverbacks manager

The Silverbacks have hired Eric Wynalda as their next manager, according to a person familiar with the hiring. He will be introduced on Tuesday.

Wynalda, a U.S. soccer hall-of-fame player, served as the team’s interim manager in 2012 before assuming the role as technical director, a position he has held since. A text to Wynalda wasn’t returned.

Wynalda will replace Brian Haynes, who was let go in December after leading the Silverbacks to the NASL championship game in November.

Wynalda is currently an analyst for Fox Soccer (now Fox Sports 1). He made 106 appearances for the U.S. men’s national team from 1990-2000, scoring 34 goals and appearing in three World Cups. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Wynalda’s experience as a manager mostly consists of leading Cal FC, an amateur side, to the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2012. During that run, Cal defeated the MLS’ Portland Timbers.

The Silverbacks started well under Haynes last year, winning the Spring title after accumulating 21 points in 12 games. But the team struggled in the Fall season, grabbing just 16 points in 14 games and fell to New York 1-0 in the title game.

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