Steve Widdowson enters his seventh year on Harrisburg’s coaching staff and sixth year as Bill Becher’s assistant coach. Originally focused on working with the team’s goalkeepers, Widdowson’s role has evolved far beyond the nets to include a wide range of responsibilities as Bill Becher’s right-hand man.
During his tenure, Widdowson has helped greatly in the development of two local products who emerged as solid pros: Dave Kern, the club’s all-time leader in nearly every goalkeeping category, and Sam Bishop. Widdowson coached future MLS keeper Michael Behonick in 2004; Behonick went 4-3-0 with a 1.11 GAA. In 2007, he helped veteran Matt Nelson post the finest season of any keeper in team history (10-4-4, 0.61 GAA, 10 shutouts). In 2008 he mentored Danny Cepero, who posted a 1.00 GAA and six shutouts while on a season-long loan from the New York Red Bulls. Last year, his influence helped Chase Harrison (8-4-4, 0.81 GAA, eight shutouts) to an All-League second team nod.
Widdowson, who hails from England, currently serves as the Head Coach for the Millersville University Men’s Soccer Team. He was previously Head Coach at Centenary College (Hacketstown, NJ) and Assistant Coach at York College. Widdowson has also acted as the Coaching Director for the Metro Soccer Club of York.
Widdowson played professionally for the Reading Rage (now of the USL’s Premier Development League), and graduated from Rutgers University where he is still among the school’s all-time leaders in saves, shutouts, and games in goal.
