United Soccer Leagues added yet another strong asset to its team services staff by naming former Canadian National Team coach Tony Waiters as a technical advisor.

One of the most respected coaches in North America, Waiters will work directly with USL National Technical Director Peter Mellor to support the development of all USL leagues from the Super Y-League to USL PRO.

Waiters, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, will focus mainly on using his wealth of coaching experience to promote and develop the USL pyramid in Canada while also supporting the growth of USL teams in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

"Tony has dedicated his entire coaching career to player development, and he's a true advocate of the USL pyramid within Canada, the U.S. and the Caribbean," Mellor said. "We are honored to have Tony's wealth of experience and knowledge at all levels, and when it comes to Canadian Soccer development and guidance, what's better than having Tony Waiters' opinions?"

Not only was Waiters the first Director of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Goalkeeping Institute, he remains a National Staff Coach for the NSCAA and U.S. Soccer. He also has served as an English FA Staff Coach, a Canadian Soccer Association Staff Coach, a coaching director at the Liverpool Youth Development Program, a member of the FIFA Panel of Instructors and a member of the CONCACAF Coaching Commission. He was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame as a builder in 2001.

Waiters is best known as the only coach to lead Canada to the World Cup Finals, accomplishing the feat in 1986. He also led the Vancouver Whitecaps to the 1979 title in the now-defunct North American Soccer League.

"I'm delighted to be joining USL," Waiters said. "With the infrastructure USL has in place our best young players, both male and female, have a proven ladder for development. The USL pyramid is something that, hand on heart, I can recommend to Canadian and other North American organizations. With USL, Canadian teams will be able to not only look East and West, but North and South as well. It's truly a continental opportunity.

"I would dearly love to not be the only coach to take the Canadian men's team to the World Cup Finals and I believe my position with USL can help make that a reality. This appointment also gives me another great opportunity to work with Peter Mellor, who I've teamed up with successfully on many occasions."