Kevin Sawchak leads the way for Crown Legacy FC's playoff push

By Brian Maurer

Photo Courtesy of Pitchside Brazil

Kevin Sawchak grew up in Atlanta and played for the Atlanta Fire as a kid. These were the pre-MLS Academy days when the pathway from amateur to professional soccer was far more hazy — an unbeaten path.

Sawchak ended up in Finland after playing college ball at UAB. During many years playing in Finland’s second division, he earned coaching badges, met his wife, and started building a family.

While the Atlanta native was in Europe setting the foundations for a coaching career, MLS was building the foundations for the pro pathway MLS Academy players have the luxury of participating in today. The expansion MLS has undergone to increase the amount of resources going towards academy projects and development teams has exponentially increased the amount of opportunities that young players have in the states.

“When I was coming up we didn’t have those opportunities…now I think the kids have a great opportunity to play in MLS NEXT Pro or the USL level” said Sawchak. MLS NEXT Pro also opened the door to other markets to create clubs that can join NEXT Pro without any affiliation to an MLS team. This has increased the amount of exposure and opportunity young players have even more. “Now that they're adding these expansion teams, some people don’t agree with it, but I think it's actually a good thing for the kids…the younger players get to play against Chattanooga in front of 3000 people, Carolina Core in front of 4000 people…I think it’s a really good opportunity for the kids here.”

Sawchak found himself back in Atlanta coaching for the new MLS expansion club at the time, Atlanta United. This first opportunity back in the States opened the doors for him to coach in USL.

First, he coached for Chattanooga Red Wolves SC before moving on to Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC. He joined Crown Legacy FC as one of José Tavares' assistants in 2023 after being an Assistant Coach at Northern Colorado during their inaugural season in 2022. Sawchak mentioned his experience working with Northern Colorado during their inaugural campaign likely helped him get the job for Crown Legacy’s first-ever season as a club.

Sawchak took over as Head Coach halfway through this season when Tavares decided he wanted to return to Portugal. As Interim Head Coach, Sawchak has led Crown Legacy to 25 points in 14 matches, which has helped the team climb back into the playoff picture. Crown Legacy now sits seventh in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference.

Photo Courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90

Making playoffs and winning trophies is the aim of any club, but Sawchak’s role at Crown Legacy is also tasked with developing players so they are prepared and able to make the jump to the First Team. “We are still a club that wants to win..but always the progress of the team is how many players can we help get to the First Team, that’s the biggest role of the team and how can we support the club in that” states Sawchak.

Taking over a new role comes with many challenges and lessons, one of the most important lessons Sawchak has learned is staying true to himself. “Stay authentic with my way of how I feel I need to do things…[Tavares] is a great coach and a great leader, it would have been really easy for me to think when he left that I needed to try to implement things the exact same way he was doing, but I have learned really quickly that I have to do it my way, it’s the only way to do it, it’s the only way the players will buy in, so sticking to what I think is right and going with my gut,” said Sawchak.

The Atlanta native has his work cut out for him in their final two games as five points separate fourth from tenth in the East. These are the moments when grit and determination will overshadow raw talent. One of Sawchak’s focus as a coach has been to ensure that his players earn every minute, every start. “It’s something we talk about as a staff all the time. Are we making it too easy for our players, how do we make them compete, how do we make sure they’re not being entitled to anything…you have to be intentional about it in your environment, which we are…making sure our players are earning everything” said Sawchak.

Sawchak also mentioned that even their players who are getting international recognition like Nimfasha Berchimas are not given starts. He also has to earn his minutes and role with the club.

These values that Sawchak wants to be instilled in his players ideally lead Crown Legacy to the playoffs. “We want to be the hardest team in the league to beat,” said Sawchak. Proving that with points on the road against Inter Miami CF II on September 29 would go a long way in cementing themselves in the playoff picture, as well as demonstrating how difficult they are to play against once the playoffs start.

Crown Legacy FC’s final two matches

At Inter Miami CF II on September 29

Vs Toronto FC II on October 6

MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Standings