FORMER Team USA scout Riccardo Marchioli is coming aboard as the new assistant coach of the Philippine national women’s football team.
Marchioli played a big role in the US national women’s team’s bid to secure an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Par-is Olympics.
“Riccardo’s analytical expertise and his ability to integrate technology into player development and tactical planning are incredibly valuable. He brings a strategic mind that will push us to think differently and prepare even more thor-oughly,” said Filipinas’ coach Mark Torcaso.
The Philippine Football Federation announced Marchioli’s inclusion to the team, days after the final draw of lots and groupings for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup were held in Australia.
The no. 38 Filipinas, who are seeking to be back at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, were bunched with two higher-ranked squads — host nation and World Cup regular Australia (no. 15) and AFC Cup 2022 runner-up South Korea (21). No. 68 Iran is also in the mix.
Officials of the PFF hope to enhance the Filipinas’ strategic capabilities and bring in a wealth of elite-level experience and a fresh perspective cultivated across diverse high-performance environments.
“We would like to welcome a new and valuable addition to the Filipinas’ coaching staff, Riccardo Marchioli. Riccar-do’s unique blend of experience – from contributing to an Olympic gold medal to his hands-on success in building and transforming football programs – is exactly what we need as we continue our ambitious journey,” sais PFF presi-dent John Gutierrez.
Marchioli was also instrumental in the Newcastle Jets becoming Champions in the A-League of Australia
