Former NWSL and U.S. National Team GK coach Rade Tanaskovic joins Georgia Soccer

ATHENS, Ga. – University of Georgia soccer head coach Keidane McAlpine announced the addition of veteran coach Rade Tanaskovic (Rah-day Tah-NAS-KOV-itch) to his coaching staff. Tanaskovic joins the Georgia staff as an assistant coach, working primarily with the goalkeepers.

“I am delighted to welcome Rade to our staff,” McAlpine said. “He is a world-class coach with a long history of success, and I am excited for him to join us as we continue to build a special program at Georgia.”

“I cannot wait to get started working with Georgia Soccer,” Tanaskovic said. “I want to thank Keidane and his staff for welcoming me into their program. Georgia Soccer has already started to make history with Keidane at the helm, and I am thrilled to help him and the players reach even greater heights.”

Tanaskovic joins Georgia after spending the last five seasons as the goalkeepers coach for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL. During his time in Chicago, the club reached the postseason four times, including appearances in the 2019 and 2021 NWSL Championship and a runner-up finish in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. Last season, Red Stars keeper Alyssa Naeher ranked third in the league with 80 saves.

In addition to his work with the Red Stars, Tanaskovic has worked with the U.S. Soccer Federation for multiple years, recently helping the U.S. Women’s National Team win Concacaf W Gold Cup and SheBelieves Cup titles. He has also served as goalkeepers coach for U.S. U-23 National Team, worked at youth training centers in Atlanta and Cincinnati, and served as the ODP South Region Goalkeeping Director. He has earned NSCAA Goalkeeping Level 1 and 2 diplomas and holds a U.S. Soccer Federation C license.

Prior to Chicago, Tanaskovic served two seasons as goalkeeper coach at Iowa, where his team recorded 14 shutouts and 17 wins as the program returned to the Big Ten Tournament. Before Iowa, he spent two seasons at Louisville as their keepers coach, tallying 15 wins and helping Taylor Bucklin earn All-ACC honors. He also coached for two seasons at Columbus State, guiding the team to two conference tournament titles and the NCAA DII Elite Eight in 2014. His collegiate coaching career began with the Emmanuel College men’s program in 2012. He also worked with the Atlanta Silverbacks of the USL W-League.

Tanaskovic played collegiately at North Georgia, earning All-Peach Belt Conference honors in his final three seasons. He left UNG ranked seventh all-time in conference history with a 0.91 career goals against average, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education.

Prior to North Georgia, he coached at FC Red Star (formerly ZFK LASK) in his native Serbia, serving as an assistant and goalkeeper coach from 2004-07.