Canadian Watson lands MLS assistant coaching job

Mark Watson (front row, second from right) will join MLS expansion team Orlando City SC as an assistant coach. (Matt Rourke/AP)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Former Canadian international and San Jose coach Mark Watson has joined Orlando City SC as an assistant coach.

The MLS expansion team begins play next year.

"As we continue to build our squad heading into our MLS debut, we are thrilled to add a coach of Mark’s calibre and experience to our staff," Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath said in a statement Monday. "Mark’s expertise complements our existing technical staff and we look forward to his contributions as we continue to build and prepare the team for our MLS debut."

Watson, who took over from fellow Canadian Frank Yallop in San Jose in June 2013, was fired last month by the Quakes after a record of 17-20-14. He served as an assistant coach in San Jose before that.

Watson joins fellow assistant coaches Ian Fuller and Marcos Machado in Orlando.

"It’s a great opportunity to join Orlando City at such an important time," said Watson.

Watson has also served as assistant coach with the Canadian national team and under-20 squad.

A hard-nosed defender, the Vancouver native won 77 caps for Canada between 1991 and 2004.

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