Stewart Kerr Hired as Orlando City’s Goalkeeper Coach; Marcos Machado Joins Pride Staff

Stewart Kerr, former Toronto FC goalkeeper coach, has joined Adrian Heath’s staff at Orlando City in the same capacity, per sources. Kerr replaces Marcos Machado, who has transitioned to coaching the Orlando Pride — a move the club announced earlier today.

Update: The club has confirmed Kerr's hiring.

"Stewart comes highly recommended as he has worked with some top goalkeepers during his time as a coach in the United Kingdom and in MLS," said Head Coach Adrian Heath. "With his knowledge and experience, we feel that he is a perfect fit for our young and talented goalkeeping core."

Kerr, 41, is a native of Bellshill Scotland, who was a goalkeeper as a player with Celtic, Brighton and Wigan Athletic from 1991-2002, before he was forced to retire at age 26 due to a back injury. He was hired as a goalkeeper coach in August of 2008 by Scottish First Division club Airdrie United and moved on to his country’s top flight with Motherwell in September of 2009. He left Motherwell in 2011 to join Toronto FC, where he worked with new Orlando City goalkeeper Joe Bendik in 2013.

Toronto replaced Kerr when Greg Vanney took over as head coach, hiring former MLS goalkeeper Jon Conway in September of 2014. Kerr spent three seasons in Toronto.

He helped develop Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy and Republic of Ireland stopper Darren Randolph. He has also worked with Julio Cesar and developed Canadian international Quillan Roberts.

As a player, Kerr made 75 appearances with Celtic between 1991 and 2001, with a brief loan spell to Brighton during that time. He made eight more appearances in 2001-2002 with Wigan Athletic. He earned 12 caps with Scotland's U-21 team from 1994-96.

Heath's staff has now undergone two changes since the season ended. Along with Machado transitioning to the Pride on the NWSL side, assistant coach Ian Fuller's contract was not renewed. Machado joins Khano Smith on Tom Sermanni's Pride staff for the team's inaugural season after serving with Orlando City since the club's USL days.

"We're excited to have Marcos join the Orlando Pride technical staff in the team's inaugural season," said Sermanni in a club press release. "Marcos brings extensive experience not only within the Orlando City organization, as well as his extensive work as a goalkeeper coach. We look forward to his contributions to our inaugural season."

"I am thrilled to bring my expertise to the Orlando Pride and work with Tom and his technical staff," said Machado in the club press release. "I'm grateful for my time with the Lions, and am eager to take all that I have learned and put that experience toward a successful first campaign for the Pride in 2016."

In addition, the club has also let go of trainer Dave Lagow. This move isn't surprising, considering Orlando City sustained one of the worst injury records in Major League Soccer last season.