Conner Cappelletti

{{short description|Guamanian footballer (born 1989)}}

{{good article}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Conner Cappelletti

| image =

| caption =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|1|17}}

| birth_place = Kent, Washington, U.S.

| height = 6 ft 0 in

| position = Defender

| currentclub = Richmond Kickers (assistant)

| youthyears1 = 2004–2006

| youthclubs1 = Valley FC

| youthyears2 = 2006–2007

| youthclubs2 = Birmingham United

| collegeyears1 = 2007–2008

| college1 = Wallace State Lions

| collegecaps1 =

| collegegoals1 =

| collegeyears2 = 2009–2010

| college2 = Valparaiso Crusaders

| collegecaps2 = 19

| collegegoals2 = 0

| years1 = 2009

| clubs1 = Indiana Invaders

| caps1 = 16

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2010

| clubs2 = Kansas City Brass

| caps2 = 14

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2011–2012

| clubs3 = Rocket City United

| caps3 =

| goals3 =

| years4 = 2013

| clubs4 = Lane United

| caps4 = 0

| goals4 = 0

| totalcaps = 30+

| totalgoals = 0+

| nationalyears1 = 2016

| nationalteam1 = Guam

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2017

| managerclubs1 = Lane Titans (interim)

| manageryears2 = 2017–2019

| managerclubs2 = Lane Titans

| manageryears3 = 2019

| managerclubs3 = Lane United

| manageryears4 = 2023

| managerclubs4 = North Alabama SC

}}

Conner Cappelletti (born January 17, 1989) is an association football coach and former player. Previously the head coach at Lane United, Lane Community College, and North Alabama SC, he is an assistant coach for USL League One club Richmond Kickers. Born in the United States, he represented Guam at international level, playing as a defender.

A native of Kent, Washington, Cappelletti grew up in Alabama and attended Bob Jones High School, where he was a three-sport athlete. After playing youth football with Valley FC and Birmingham United, he spent his first two years of college at Wallace State Community College before transferring to Valparaiso University. Cappelletti played while in school with Indiana Invaders and Kansas City Brass, both in the Premier Development League, and played three more years after graduating: two seasons in the National Premier Soccer League with Rocket City United and a pair of friendly matches with Lane United. Three years after ending his club career, he was called up for the first and only time by Guam, earning three caps at the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship.

Cappelletti transitioned into coaching during his playing career, taking charge of youth and high school teams before taking a job as an assistant coach with Lane United following his playing retirement. In 2017, he was named the head coach at Lane Community College, and in 2019 doubled up when he was promoted to head coach at Lane United. He stepped down from both positions in November 2019.

Early life

Cappelletti was born on January 17, 1989, in Kent, Washington, the son of Cap and Christi Cappelletti.{{cite web|url=http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/roster/2010-11/4139/conner-cappelletti/|title=Conner Cappelletti – Valparaiso profile|website=ValpoAthletics.com|publisher=Valparaiso Crusaders|access-date=September 20, 2019}} As a child, he lived in Tennessee and Germany before his family settled in Madison, Alabama, ahead of his sophomore year of high school.{{cite web|url=https://www.laneunitedfc.com/page/show/4947025-personnel|title=Lane United personnel: Head Coach Conner Cappelletti|website=LaneUnitedFC.com|publisher=Lane United|access-date=September 20, 2019|archive-date=September 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921040058/https://www.laneunitedfc.com/page/show/4947025-personnel|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eugenetimbers.org/about/coaching-staff/#cappelletti|title=Eugene Timbers coaching staff: Conner Cappelletti|website=EugeneTimbers.com|publisher=Eugene Timbers Fútbol Club|access-date=September 20, 2019}} Cappelletti was a three-sport athlete at Bob Jones High School, playing basketball, American football, and association football. He was on varsity in all three sports as both a junior and senior; with the Patriots soccer team, he was team captain and MVP and scored 15 goals during his senior season.

At club level, Cappelletti played two years with Valley FC and one year with Birmingham United. Without a Division I scholarship offer following his high school graduation, he elected to attend Wallace State Community College and play for the Lions' team in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).{{cite web|last=Galbreath|first=David|url=http://www.lcctorch.com/2019/03/titan-head-coach-to-lead-lane-united-football-club/|title=Titan head coach to lead Lane United Football Club|website=LCCTorch.com|publisher=The Torch News Group|access-date=September 20, 2019|date=March 26, 2019}}

Playing career

=College and amateur=

For two seasons, Cappelletti played college soccer at Wallace State, serving as a team captain as a sophomore. He earned NJCAA All-Region honors in both seasons, with the Lions going 15–3–0 under his leadership in 2008. Academically, he was named to the President's List in May 2009.{{cite news|url=https://issuu.com/wscc/docs/mane_issue_may_2009_work_the_mane_issue_template/8|title=Wallace State Awards Night Features College's Outstanding Students|work=The Mane Issue|location=Hanceville, Alabama|date=May 2009|access-date=September 23, 2019|page=8|volume=6|issue=6}} Following his two years at Wallace State, he was recruited and received a scholarship to attend Valparaiso University and play under head coach Mike Avery.{{cite web|url=http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/news/2009-10/9014/crusader-mens-soccer-adds-four-newcomers-for-2009-campaign/|title=Crusader Men's Soccer Adds Four Newcomers for 2009 Campaign|website=ValpoAthletics.com|publisher=Valparaiso Crusaders|access-date=September 23, 2019|date=February 4, 2009}} Joining Cappelletti in transferring to Valpo was his Wallace State teammate Roby Del Giudice, and the Crusaders' 2009 recruiting class also included Stefan Antonijevic.{{cite web|url=http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/roster/2009-10/|title=2009–10 Valparaiso men's soccer roster|website=ValpoAthletics.com|publisher=Valparaiso Crusaders|access-date=September 23, 2019}}

On September 1, 2009, Cappelletti made his Division I and Valparaiso debut, starting in a 2–0 victory over Eastern Illinois. He played the full 90 minutes, anchoring a Crusader backline that allowed just four shots on target.{{cite web|url=http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/news/2009-10/9108/bullard-scores-twice-as-crusader-men-capture-season-opener/|title=Bullard Scores Twice as Crusader Men Capture Season Opener|website=ValpoAthletics.com|publisher=Valparaiso Crusaders|access-date=September 23, 2019|date=September 1, 2009}} He went on to appear in 13 matches during his junior season, including starting in all three games Valpo played that year against ranked opponents.{{cite web|url=http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/boxscore/2009-10/1140/2223-michigan-vs-valpo-09-06-2009/#boxscore|title=Crusaders Battle in 2–1 Loss to #22/23 Michigan|website=ValpoAthletics.com|publisher=Valparaiso Crusaders|access-date=September 23, 2019|date=September 6, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/boxscore/2009-10/1141/valpo-vs-810-south-florida-09-08-2009/#boxscore|title=Crusaders Take #8/10 USF to Overtime, Fall 1-0|website=ValpoAthletics.com|publisher=Valparaiso Crusaders|access-date=September 23, 2019|date=September 8, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/boxscore/2009-10/1147/valpo-vs-25-michigan-state-09-30-2009/#boxscore|title=Valpo Drops Road Test to Nationally-Ranked Spartans|website=ValpoAthletics.com|publisher=Valparaiso Crusaders|access-date=September 23, 2019|date=September 30, 2019}} Cappelletti was chosen to play less as a senior: he appeared in just six matches for the Crusaders.{{cite web|url=http://cdn.streamlinetechnologies.com/valpoathletics/media/soccer-men/2010-11/boxscores_stats/TEAMCUME.HTM#TEAM.IND|title=2010 Valparaiso men's soccer statistics|website=ValpoAthletics.com|publisher=Valparaiso Crusaders|access-date=September 23, 2019|date=November 6, 2010}} His lone start of the year came in his final collegiate game, as he played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 victory over Detroit on November 6, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/news/2010-11/10242/crusaders-send-seniors-out-winners-with-2-0-victory-over-detroit/|title=Crusaders Send Seniors Out Winners With 2-0 Victory Over Detroit|website=ValpoAthletics.com|publisher=Valparaiso Crusaders|access-date=September 23, 2019|date=November 6, 2010}} Cappelletti played 19 matches over his two seasons with the Crusaders and was part of Valpo squads that earned two consecutive winning seasons for the first time in the team's history.

==Premier Development League==

While in college, Cappelletti spent two summers playing in the Premier Development League (PDL). Ahead of his first year at Valpo, he took the field with Indiana Invaders. In his lone season with the Invaders, Cappelletti appeared in 16 matches.{{cite web|url=http://soccerstats.us/bios/conner-cappelletti/|title=Conner Cappelletti at SoccerStats.us|website=SoccerStats.us|access-date=September 23, 2019}} He returned to the PDL ahead of his senior season with the Crusaders, this time playing with Kansas City Brass.{{cite web|url=https://www.laneunitedfc.com/uncategorized/lane-uniteds-conner-cappelletti-selected-to-play-for-guam-mens-national-team|title=Lane United's Conner Cappelletti selected to play for Guam Men's National Team|website=LaneUnitedFC.com|publisher=Lane United FC|access-date=October 16, 2018|date=October 18, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022142959/https://www.laneunitedfc.com/uncategorized/lane-uniteds-conner-cappelletti-selected-to-play-for-guam-mens-national-team|archive-date=October 22, 2016}} Cappelletti appeared in 14 games for the Brass during his time with the club and trained with Major League Soccer club Kansas City Wizards.

=Later career=

Following his graduation from college, Cappelletti did not pursue a professional career, instead returning to Alabama. He signed on to play with National Premier Soccer League club Rocket City United, with who he would spend two seasons.{{cite web|url=http://www.rocketcityunited.com/roster.cfm?subHeader=Roster&subMenu=Team|title=2012 Rocket City United roster|website=RocketCityUnited.com|publisher=Rocket City United|access-date=September 23, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917001108/http://www.rocketcityunited.com/roster.cfm?subHeader=Roster&subMenu=Team|archive-date=September 17, 2012}} While playing with Rocket City, Cappelletti also worked as a youth coach for his former youth club, Valley FC, as well as coaching at the high school level. He spent one year as the junior varsity coach at Sparkman High School and one year as the varsity head coach at James Clemens High School.

Cappelletti returned to the Pacific Northwest in 2013, joining newly-formed PDL club Lane United. Although the club did not begin league play until the 2014 season, they did play several friendly matches over the summer of 2013. Cappelletti appeared for the Reds in the first match in club history, a 3–0 defeat against Portland Timbers U23s on July 18. He did not continue as a player once the club began league play, however, and ended his club career by accepting a role as an assistant coach with Lane United.{{cite web|author=LUFC Media|url=https://www.laneunitedfc.com/news_article/show/1015515|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924042158/https://www.laneunitedfc.com/news_article/show/1015515|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2019|title=Meet the coaching staff|website=LaneUnitedFC.com|publisher=Lane United FC|access-date=September 23, 2019|date=April 24, 2019}} While serving with the Reds, he additionally worked as a coach for local youth club Eugene Timbers.

International career

In October 2016, three years after ending his club career, Cappelletti was called up for the first time by the Guam national team for the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship.{{cite web|last=Watson|first=Blake|url=https://pncguam.com/final-matao-roster-set-for-the-eaff-e-1-football-championship-semifinals/|title=Final Matao Roster Set for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Semifinals|website=PNCGuam.com|publisher=Sorensen Media Group|access-date=September 20, 2019|date=November 2, 2016}}{{cite web|author=PDL staff|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/news_article/show/710736|title=Lane United's Cappelletti Earns Guam Call-up|website=USLLeagueTwo.com|publisher=Premier Development League|access-date=September 20, 2019|date=October 18, 2016}} Although he was in the squad as a player, Cappelletti said he was excited for the callup as a "learning tool for coaching" and that he would be able to see firsthand what coaching is like at the national team level. He made his Guamanian debut on November 6, 2016, replacing Ian Mariano at halftime of an eventual 3–2 defeat against Hong Kong.{{cite web|last=Polenghi|first=Cesare|url=https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2017r2/result302.html|title=Hong Kong 3–2 Guam: Match Review|website=EAFF.com|publisher=East Asian Football Federation|access-date=September 20, 2019|date=November 6, 2016}} Cappelletti appeared in all three of Guam's matches at the tournament and was not called up again by the country.{{NFT player|id=65705|access-date=October 16, 2018}}

Coaching career

While still working as an assistant coach at Lane United, Cappelletti was named as the interim head coach at Lane Community College (LCC) on June 20, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.lanetitans.com/news/lcc-athletics-names-conner-cappelletti-as-interim-head-men-s-soccer-coach/|title=LCC Athletics names Conner Cappelletti as interim head men's soccer coach|website=LaneTitans.com|publisher=Lane Community College|access-date=October 16, 2018|date=June 20, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016165242/https://www.lanetitans.com/news/lcc-athletics-names-conner-cappelletti-as-interim-head-men-s-soccer-coach/|archive-date=October 16, 2018}} Without a formal announcement, he became the permanent head coach for the Titans before the 2017 season had begun.{{cite web|url=https://www.lanetitans.com/sports/msoc/coaches/cappelletti_conner?view=bio|title=Conner Cappelletti – Lane CC profile|website=LaneTitans.com|publisher=Lane Community College|access-date=September 24, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} His first game in charge of Lane ended in a 3–2 victory over Skagit Valley on August 24.{{cite web|url=https://nwacsports.com/sports/msoc/2017-18/boxscores/20170824_mp1s.xml|title=Lane 3–2 Skagit Valley|website=NWACSports.com|publisher=Northwest Athletic Conference|access-date=September 24, 2019|date=August 24, 2017}} Lane finished with a 5–9–0 record in Cappelletti's first season in charge but recovered to go 6–6–3 in 2018, the program's best record since being brought back from hiatus. In 2019, the Titans led their region of the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) through seven games;{{cite web|last=Lobaina|first=Julia|url=https://kval.com/sports/content/lcc-mens-soccer-on-the-way-to-historic-season|title=LCC men's soccer on the way to historic season|website=KVAL.com|publisher=KVAL-TV|access-date=December 8, 2019|date=October 10, 2019}} they ended up finishing second and qualified for the NWAC playoffs for the first time in program history.{{cite tweet|user=LaneMSoccer|number=1184668139692290049|date=October 16, 2019|title=With the final results today and 17 points on top of the table, the men's program clinches a playoffs spot for the first time in program history! ⚡️ With two games still to play, we are fighting for a chance to win the South Region🏆⁣ #Road2NWACPlayoffs #TitanPride #FirstTime}} Although the Titans were defeated in the regional playoff by Everett,{{cite web|url=https://www.lanetitans.com/sports/msoc/2019-20/boxscores/20191106_o31l.xml|title=Lane 1–3 Everett|website=LaneTitans.com|publisher=Lane Community College|access-date=December 8, 2019|date=November 6, 2019}} Cappelletti was named as the Southern Region Co-Coach of the Year.{{cite journal|url=https://www.lanetitans.com/sports/msoc/2019-20/releases/20191112p650z7|title=Titans have COTY and four All-Stars|website=LaneTitans.com|publisher=Lane Community College|access-date=December 8, 2019|date=November 12, 2019}}

Following the 2018 PDL season, Lane United head coach John Galas departed the club to become an assistant coach at FC Tucson; Cappelletti was promoted to become the Reds' new head coach.{{cite news|last=Haubner|first=Andrew|url=https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Cappelletti-leaning-into-new-role-with-LUFC-511632342.html|title=Cappelletti leaning into new role with LUFC|website=KEZI|publisher=Allen Media Broadcasting|access-date=April 25, 2021|date=June 21, 2019|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425185228/https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Cappelletti-leaning-into-new-role-with-LUFC-511632342.html|url-status=dead}} He became just the second head coach in club history.{{cite web|author=Lane United FC staff|url=https://www.laneunitedfc.com/news_article/show/1001248|title=FC Tucson names John Galas assistant coach|website=LaneUnitedFC.com|publisher=Lane United FC|access-date=September 24, 2019|date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=September 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924180935/https://www.laneunitedfc.com/news_article/show/1001248|url-status=dead}} To fill out his staff, Cappelletti hired his youth and college teammate Chace Zanaty as an assistant and brought in former American international Nate Jaqua as strikers coach. In his first game in charge of the Reds, Cappelletti and Lane United earned a 1–1 draw against Victoria Highlanders on May 10, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/game/show/24372053?subseason=583580&referrer=4731504|title=Victoria Highlanders 1–1 Lane United|website=USLLeagueTwo.com|publisher=USL League Two|access-date=September 24, 2019|date=May 10, 2019}} Lane United finished with a 5–4–5 record in Cappelletti's lone season in charge, equaling the best record in club history.{{cite tweet|user=LaneUnitedFC|number=1149894977951940608|date=July 12, 2019|title=Reds end the season at 5-4-5, equaling their best season in club history. Thank you fans, @redacessupportersgroup, @2townscider @agatealleybistro @hummelsport and @tensegrityphysicaltherapy for your support! #wearethereds #somoslosrojos #WATR #deeplyrooted #usl2 #path2pro}}

On November 20, 2019, Cappelletti resigned his positions with both LCC and Lane United. He and his fiancée moved to Ohio, where Cappelletti took a position as a coach at Cincinnati-area youth club Cincinnati United SC.{{cite web|url=https://www.registerguard.com/sports/20191120/lanes-cappelletti-steps-down-as-mens-soccer-coach|title=Lane's Cappelletti steps down as men's soccer coach|website=The Register-Guard|access-date=November 4, 2020|date=November 20, 2019|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621031936/https://www.registerguard.com/sports/20191120/lanes-cappelletti-steps-down-as-mens-soccer-coach|url-status=dead}} He departed Lane United with a 5–4–5 record from his lone season in charge and ended his Titans tenure with a record of 16–18–9.{{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/schedule/team_instance/4362971|title=2019 Lane United results|website=USLLeagueTwo.com|publisher=USL League Two|access-date=December 8, 2019}} Cappelletti spent two years at Cincinnati United, then in 2021 was hired as an assistant coach for the Western Oregon Wolves, a brand-new NCAA Division II program. He was the first assistant in program history, but left the team before it ever played a game.{{cite news|last=Brandon|first=Steve|url=https://www.polkio.com/sports/men-s-soccer-coach-filling-out-roster-for-next-fall/article_cab76956-6e70-11ec-b078-4f6673b1b1ed.html|title=Men's soccer coach filling out roster for next fall|website=Polk County Itemizer-Observer|publisher=Eagle Newspapers|access-date=June 21, 2022|date=January 5, 2022}} In 2022, Cappelletti returned to Lane United as an assistant coach while also serving as an assistant for the Willamette Bearcats men's and women's teams.{{cite press release|url=https://www.laneutd.com/2022/03/09/conner-cappelletti-rejoins-staff-as-assistant-coach/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309235008/https://laneutd.com/2022/03/09/conner-cappelletti-rejoins-staff-as-assistant-coach/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2022|title=Conner Cappelletti Rejoins Staff as Assistant Coach|publisher=Lane United FC|access-date=June 21, 2022|date=March 9, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://willamettemenssoccer.totalcamps.com/Staff|title=Willamette Soccer Camps – Staff|website=Willamette Men's Soccer Camps|publisher=Willamette Bearcats|access-date=June 21, 2022}}

Ahead of the 2023 season, Cappelletti briefly joined North Alabama SC as the club's assistant director of coaching.{{cite news|last=Few|first=John|url=https://themadisonrecord.com/2022/12/01/former-patriot-named-assistant-director-of-coaching-at-north-alabama-sc/|title=Former Patriot named assistant director of coaching at North Alabama SC|website=Madison County Record|publisher=Madison Publications, LLC|access-date=January 19, 2023|date=December 1, 2022}} Shortly after, he was named as the head coach of the senior men's team, playing in USL League Two, and as an assistant coach for the senior women's team, playing in the USL W League.{{cite press release|url=https://www.northalabamasc.org/conner-cappelletti-named-usl2-head-coach/|title=Conner Cappelletti named USL2 head coach|publisher=North Alabama SC|location=Huntsville, Alabama|access-date=January 19, 2023|date=December 30, 2022|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120022909/https://www.northalabamasc.org/conner-cappelletti-named-usl2-head-coach/|archive-date=January 20, 2023}} However, after just one month in Alabama and without taking charge of a game, Cappelletti received a professional coaching offer and departed to become an assistant coach for USL League One club Richmond Kickers. The head coach of the Kickers, Darren Sawatzky, was the head coach of Guam when Cappelletti earned his three caps with the national team.{{cite press release|last=Heintschel|first=Nathan|url=https://www.richmondkickers.com/news/2023/02/01/conner-cappelletti-joins-kickers-technical-staff-as-an-assistant-coach/|title=Conner Cappelletti Joins Kickers' Technical Staff As An Assistant Coach|website=Richmond Kickers|publisher=United Soccer League|access-date=February 5, 2023|date=February 1, 2023}}

Career statistics

=International=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{Soccerway|conner-cappelletti/468445|access-date=September 17, 2019}}

National teamYearAppsGoals
Guam

|2016

30
colspan=2|Total30

=Managerial=

{{updated|February 1, 2023|{{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/31034512?subseason=583580|title=Conner Cappelletti at USL League Two|website=USLLeagueTwo.com|publisher=USL League Two|access-date=September 20, 2019}}}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=6|Record

GWLTWin %Ref.
align=left|Lane Titans

|align=left|June 20, 2017

|align=left|November 20, 2019

{{WDL|43|16|18|9}}

|

align=left|Lane United

|align=left|January 11, 2019

|align=left|November 20, 2019

{{WDL|14|5|4|5}}

|

align=left|North Alabama SC

|align=left|December 30, 2022

|align=left|February 1, 2023

{{WDL|0|0|0|0}}

|

colspan=3|Total

{{WDLtot|57|21|22|14}}

!

Honors

=Individual=

  • NWAC South Region Co-Coach of the Year: 2019

References

{{reflist}}