SAN FRANCISCO – Academy of Art University director of athletics Brad Jones has announced Alex Yi as the new head coach of the department's men's soccer program. Most recently an assistant men's soccer coach at the United States Naval Academy, Yi brings over 20 years of experience ranging from time as a professional athlete to work as a coach for the LA Galaxy and the University of San Francisco.

"We are pleased to name Alex Yi as our new head men's soccer coach," said Jones. "His passion, coupled with his experience at both the professional and collegiate level has us anticipating a bright future for our men's soccer program."

In his first season at Navy in 2017, the Midshipmen battled rival Army West Point to a 0-0 double-overtime draw in the Star Game and Army-Navy Cup VI, which was played in front of 8,143 fans at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa. The Army-Navy match was the third-highest attended college men's soccer match in 2017. As a team, Navy finished its 2017 campaign ranked first in the Patriot League and eighth in the NCAA in saves per contest (5.47) while senior goalkeeper Mac Burke ranked sixth in the country in saves per match (5.41) and eighth in total saves (92).

"I would like to thank Brad Jones for the opportunity to lead the men's soccer program at the Academy of Art University," said Yi. "I would also like to thank Tim O'Donohue and the special staff for my time at Navy. I am excited for the work ahead and the potential of this program. It is an honor to be a part of the great legacy of coaches who have been here before me."

Yi arrived in Maryland after spending the three seasons (2014-16) as the top assistant at the University of San Francisco. During his three years at USF, Yi helped the Dons win 24 matches and the program was 12-8-1 in West Coast Conference play. USF had an overall record of 11-6-2 and 5-2-0 in conference play in 2014. During Yi's tenure at San Francisco, two Dons received NSCAA All-Far West Region honors, four earned All-West Coast Conference First-Team honors, and seven players were named to the All-Conference Second Team.

Before USF, Yi served as an academy coach with the Los Angeles Galaxy for five seasons, working primarily with the club's U-12, U-15 and U-18 teams. In 2010, he helped guide the Galaxy's U-16 squad to an Academy National Championship.

Yi also was an assistant coach at the University of Dayton in 2008 and helped the team capture its first Atlantic-10 championship and NCAA Tournament berth.

Yi, who earned his bachelor's degree in history from UCLA in 2004, was named the Pac-10's Freshman of the Year and was a Second Team All-Conference performer for the Bruins in 2000. His collegiate accolades included a selection to Soccer America's All-Freshmen Team, being named one of five Players to Watch by the Missouri Athletic Club, earning a spot on the NSCAA All-American Third Team, and finishing as a 2001 MAC Hermann Trophy nominee. Yi started 41 games in his two-year playing career at UCLA.

A former midfielder and defender, Yi played three seasons (2002-05) with Antwerp FC of the Belgian Jupiter League, a feeder club of Manchester United. He made his Antwerp debut against Club Brugge in 2002 and the next season was voted as the Man of the Match for his outstanding play in a contest against Mons-Bergen. Yi was then picked up by FC Dallas in an MLS weighted lottery in January 2005 and went on to play three seasons with the Toros.

As an amateur, Yi was a member of the U-17, U-20 and U-23 U.S. Youth National teams and started all five games during the 1999 World Youth Championship in New Zealand, helping the U.S. team finish fourth. He also played in all three games during the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championships held in Argentina.

Yi earned a total of 57 career caps with various U.S. youth national teams, including six with the U-23 team, 12 with the U-20 team, and 39 with the U-17's. Yi made his international debut with the U-17's against Mexico on Feb. 13, 1998.

Yi attended McDonogh High School in Owings Mills, where he earned All-Met and All-County honors in 1998. He was a Parade All-American in 2000 and a two-time NSCAA All-American. He played club soccer with FC Potomac alongside future MLS players Kyle Beckerman and Oguchi Onyewu in addition to being part of the inaugural class of the U.S. Soccer Federation's Bradenton Academy with players such as Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, and Onyewu.