Tacoma Defiance has hired Paulo Nagamura as the club’s sixth head coach, bringing the former Houston Dynamo boss back to MLS after a stint with Chicago Fire FC. The move, announced Tuesday, also sees recently retired Seattle Sounders FC midfielder João Paulo join the coaching staff as assistant coach.
Nagamura arrives with head coaching experience at the MLS level, having led Houston Dynamo in 2022 before serving as an assistant with Chicago Fire FC in 2024. He replaces Hervé Diese at the helm of Seattle’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate.
Sounders FC technical director praised the appointment, stating the organization is \”excited to bring Paulo into our organization as the new Head Coach of Tacoma Defiance. He understands the demands of the professional game and knows how to create an environment that pushes players while supporting their growth.\”
The addition of João Paulo represents a seamless transition from player to coach for the Brazilian midfielder, who retired following the 2025 season after a distinguished career with the Sounders. His appointment comes immediately after hanging up his boots, keeping him within the Seattle organization.
\”For me, this is about giving back – helping young players grow, sharing my experiences and continuing to represent the Sounders organization with pride,\” João Paulo said of his new role.
Tacoma Defiance opens the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season on March 1 against LAFC 2.
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