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From Mr. Mom to WUSA coach
By Dean Caparaz, Soccer America Former U.S. and indoor player Jim Gabarra wanted a coaching job that would keep him in the Washington, D.C., area, and found one with the Washington Freedom. Jim Gabarra was content to play Mr. Mom until the right job came around. Gabarra, who played for the U.S. national team in 1986-89, had been looking for a coaching position at the college or professional levels the last few years. His last pro coaching stint was with the CISL's Washington Warthogs (1994-98). But Gabarra, who played professionally indoors and outdoors in 1982-94, wasn't in a rush. Over the past two years, he spent some of his time working with ODP and club teams as well as with the Naval Academy's women's team, which is coached by his wife, former U.S. national team star Carin Gabarra (nee Jennings). "That and basically being a house dad, taking care of our little kids," said Jim, whose son, Tyler, is 3 and whose daughter, Abby, is almost 2. "I was waiting for an opportunity to come up in our area. We both had opportunities, but we wanted to continue to live in the D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis area.
"For her, obviously some college positions became available. For myself, I talked to MLS teams about assistant coach positions, and some college programs, ones I pursued mostly in this area." WUSA'S FIRST. Head coach of the Washington Freedom suited Gabarra perfectly, and he was the first coach hired in the WUSA. "Jim's name was always at the top of the list," Freedom general manager Katy Button said. "I can't say I ever saw myself in this league," he said. "I never thought a women's professional league would come about except a few years ago, when John Hendricks tried to start one. It's a great opportunity, and I'm more happy for women's players than I am for myself. It's a great opportunity for players coming out of college." Gabarra, who played in the ASL, AISA, MISL, CISL and NPSL, has mostly coached males. Before the Warthogs, he coached the NPSL's Milwaukee Wave (as a player-coach, 1992-93) and the AISA's Louisville Thunder (1985-87). He also coached in the adidas Summer League in 1998. He has coached females, at the youth level, as a volunteer assistant at Navy, and as a coach of the World team in the Discovery indoor tour. CREATING FREEDOM. Since his appointment, Gabarra has been scouting college and amateur games, building his team around the drafts, and hiring staff. He's brought in U.S. Olympic women's goalkeeper coach David Vanole, his former U.S. teammate, and Clyde Watson, a coaching colleague with the Warthogs, as assistants. In March, the league will conduct a preseason training camp for all eight teams at one site -- and Carin is due with their third child. The league had originally scheduled preseason March 17-31 but has tentatively moved the start date to March 21. The baby is due on March 22. "Carin was two days early with both of our kids," Gabarra said. "I'm glad they moved [preseason] back a couple days. We have a window to have the baby before the camp. We'll see." Dean Caparaz is an associate editor at Soccer America magazine.
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