Edgewater Castle FC Announces Men's Coaching Staff
Edgewater Castle FC is proud to announce Duygu Erdoğan as our 2025 Men's First Team Head Coach, Sami Ismat as Men's First Team First Assistant Coach and Carlos Landa as Men's First Team Assistant Coach. Additionally, Al Stanković is returning to coach the Rooks U23 Men's Team.
Erdoğan (top left), a passionate and experienced coach, has built her career on a foundation of resilience, tactical intelligence, and attacking football. Beginning as a player fighting for women's football development in Turkey, she transitioned to coaching following an early end to her playing career.
With a wealth of experience across three continents, Erdoğan has worked with players of all levels, including teams such as Beşiktaş J.K.'s youth academy and leading the Rooks Women's First Team to the club’s first ever trophy. Her coaching philosophy puts an emphasis on possession of the ball and adaptability, which aims to foster a football culture rooted in discipline, passion, and growth.
Erdoğan's vision for ECFC includes expanding youth development and creating a thriving environment where both players and coaches can excel.
Sami Ismat (top right) is the First Assistant Coach for the Rooks Men's First Team. He has played for years with community clubs, experience he hopes to use in his new coaching role. Originally from Syria, Ismat moving around a lot and played with players from many different backgrounds. He says he admires Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach for Real Madrid FC, and Alex Ferguson, former Head Coach for Manchester United, and how their humbleness is a big factor on the pitch. His goal for the upcoming season is to win trophies after narrowly losing in the ISSA State Cup Finals twice.
Carlos Landa (bottom left), a former player for Edgewater Castle FC, is now the Men's First Team Assistant Coach. He has been with the club since 2018. He says his goal for the season is to win and earn the team a promotion to the next level. Landa says he is eager to work alongside Coach Erdoğan, believing there's always something new to learn from each coach's unique style. Excited about the team’s opportunity to grow, he enjoys watching returning players develop and thrive within the competitive environment.
Returning for his second full season as Head Coach of the ECFC U23 Men's Team is Al Stanković (bottom right). He rides off of the momentum of his debut season in the Greater Chicago Soccer League, where he led the team to the top of the table of GCSL's U23 Division Red.