The 2021 Fall Season will be Associate Head Coach Daniel Clitnovici 5th season with Villanova University Women’s Soccer team. Coach Clitnovici is one of the most respected coaches in the country with a reputable coaching background in the College game, Elite level youth game, Professional game, and International game. Clitnovici boasts professional coaching licensing of the United States Soccer Federation “A” License and European UEFA “A” License as well as a United States Soccer Federation Director of Coaching License. Daniel Clitnovici has been an integral part in the recent on and off field successes since joining the wildcat program in 2017. Clitnovici strengthens the Wildcats program in several areas; one of those areas being his recruiting network where he is connected to some of the best players, coaches and club directors in the country and internationally. Coach Clitnovici’s recruiting network ranges from professional teams right through to the highest levels of youth soccer across the world including youth and senior national teams.
Another area where Clitnovici has strengthened Villanova Women’s Soccer is the onfield soccer environment that he has left his print on. Daniel Clitnovici and staff manage all practices sessions at a professional level which focuses on creating a safe and highly competitive environment yet challenging for all. Daniel Clitnovici holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science & Kinesiology, and his team training periodization allows for all athletes to perform to the highest levels both physically and mentally possible whilst maintaining the right recovery necessary to perform tomorrow.
Clitnovici brings more than 15 years of professional coaching experience to the main line. Most notably with the Major League Soccer outfit the Colorado Rapids and head coaching the Colorado Rapids Women from 2011 through 2014, and also Assistant Coach of the Western New York Flash from 2015 to 2016 where he was also the WNY Flash Academy Director of Coaching, Clitnovici was the interim head coach representing the WNY Flash during the 2016 NWSL Draft.
During 2014 season Clitnovici head coached W-League expansion side Colorado Pride Women to a Western Conference Playoff Final and he established a defense that did not concede a single goal at home. Clitnovici was named 2014 W-League Coach of the Year. Clitnovici also led the Colorado Rapids’ U-20 ladies team to the USL U-20 national championship in 2012. Crowing the Colorado Rapids Ladies as North American Champions.
What they say about Coach Clitnovici:
Abby Dahlkemper- United States Women’s National Team
"I am very fortunate to have been able to work with Daniel during my career. His knowledge of the game, positive motivation, and passionate drive to help his players succeed have all personally helped me develop throughout my journey as a professional soccer player. I will forever cherish my time getting to work with Daniel on and off the pitch. Coach Daniel’s knowledge of the game and coaching style is one of the best I have ever worked with and I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be coached by him. Daniel made me a better player”.
Tom Sermanni – Former Orlando Pride Head Coach (NWSL) & former USWNT Head Coach
"I've known Daniel for several years and always been impressed with his quality of coaching and the care he displays for his athletes. He creates a positive, yet demanding high performance environment that encourages athletes to achieve their best. He is greatly respected within the soccer community by both youth and senior professional coaches and players. He is an outstanding coach".
Charlie Naimo- Current Technical Director North Carolina Courage NWSL
“I have had the privilege of coaching against and working alongside Daniel at the highest level of women’s soccer. His tactical awareness and professionalism were clear and was always at the highest of standards. It is no surprise that he has landed at such a fine University like Villanova where I am confident he will make an immediate impact”.
Lynn Williams- Current North Carolina Courage & United States Women’s National Team
"As a coach Daniel always instilled confidence and belief in me. Having a coach that believes in you and is willing to help you improve is half the battle, and Daniel was exactly that type of coach for me in becoming a better player and professional. Daniel drafted me in 2015 and I will always thank him for taking a chance on me. Daniel always puts the player first before anything else and I always knew Daniel was working hard to make me better on and off the field."
Sabrina D'Angelo- Current Canada National Team Player
"Daniel is a very passionate and dedicated coach and an even better person off the field. I was fortunate enough to have him coach me my first year in the NWSL. Coming into a new team and environment I immediately felt the support and belief from him. He pushed me and the other goalkeeper each day to test our limits. With Daniel’s knowledge of all soccer positions including goalkeepers and his ability to get the best out of me have made me who I am today. The different areas of the game I improved with his help in my first year are still assets that help me perform to the best of my abilities now.
The main thing I will always be grateful for is the trust from Daniel. As a player it means a lot to know I am trusted, and I always felt that way with him. To have someone so passionate about the game believe in you and your abilities does more for a player than anyone will ever know. Even though I don’t have the opportunity to work with Daniel anymore he still supports my dreams and me and I’m fortunate to still keep in contact. The players at Villanova will not only have a great coach who will push them every day to be better on the field but also to be better people off the field."
Kristin Edmonds- United States Women’s National Team
"Coach Daniel Clitnovici knows the game very well and knows how to get the most out of his players. He is a player’s coach where players love to be coached by him. He’s an amazing coach and an even better person. He treats his players with a great deal of respect, and I would jump at the opportunity to play for him again!
During his years coaching professional soccer, he coached with and against some of the best players in the world, the likes of Carli Lloyd, Sydney Leroux, Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Sam Mewis, Cristen Press just to name a few. He has also helped developed senior national team players including, USA’s Lynn Williams, Abby Dahlkemper, Sam Mewis and Canada’s Sabrina D’Angelo, Lindsey Agnew, and Nichelle Prince.
Before getting in to coaching, Clitnovici spent over 10 years playing professional soccer, including time with Gold Coast United FC in Australia, Universitatea Craiova in Romania, Barnsley FC in England and Apollon Athinon in Greece. In his final professional season in 2008-09, Clitnovici played in Spain for Elche CF and CF Illicitano.
Coaching Experience - Elite Youth
Northern Colorado Soccer Club - Technical Director 2008-2009
Magic City Soccer Club - Technical Director 2010-2011
Northern Colorado Soccer Club - Director of Coaching 2012-2014
Colorado Rapids (MLS) U20 – Head Coach National Champions 2012
Western New York Flash (NWSL) ECNL Academy - Director of Coaching 2015-2016
FC Bucks Academy Director (ECNL) – 2020-Present
U.S. Soccer Coaching Education Instructor 2010-Present
Coaching Experience - Professional
Assistant Coach Colorado Force (W-League) 2008-2011
Head Coach Colorado Rapids (W-League) 2011-2014
Head Coach Colorado Pride (W-League) 2014
Assistant Coach Western New York Flash (NWSL) – 2014-2016
Interim Head Coach Western New York Flash (NWSL) - 2016 NWSL Draft
Coaching Experience College
Rocky Mountain College Assistant Coach – 2010-2012
The Ohio State University Assistant Coach – 2016
Villanova University Associate Head Coach - 2017-Present
Coaching Education
United States Soccer Federation “A” License
UEFA “A” License
United States Soccer Federation Coaching Education Instructor
United States Soccer Federation Director of Coaching License
NSCAA Advanced National License
NSCAA Advanced National GK License
Football Federation Australia Grass Roots Diploma
