U.S. Soccer: Ellis resigns as U-21 coach

UCLA coach Jillian Ellis announced her resignation as coach of the U.S. under-21 national team. Ellis, who is in her third year with the U-21s and second as head coach, has decided to step down due to an illness in her family. She will remain the U-21 coach through a training camp scheduled to be held in conjunction with the WUSA league-wide camp in Chula Vista, Calif. “For personal reasons, the foremost being my mom’s battle with cancer, I am at a point where I need to prioritize my time,” Ellis said. “Working with the under-21 national team has been nothing less than amazing, and for that opportunity I am eternally grateful.” Ellis guided the U-21s to the 2000 Nordic Cup title in Weismain, Germany. Last December, Ellis led her Bruins to the Women’s College Cup in San Jose, where they lost to North Carolina in the final. Next fall will mark her third year at UCLA.