Graham Chandler, who spent six years as the women’s soccer coach at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is expected to replace Mike Morgan as the coach of the first-year Maine Tide soccer team in the Premier Soccer League.

Husson College men’s soccer coach Seth Brown, the general manager of the Tide and their male counterparts, the Maine Sting, will assist Chandler.

“Due to circumstances beyond his control, Mike had to accept a full-time coaching position with a club team. It was a matter of economics,” said Brown, who added that he was elated to land Chandler.

Chandler is currently the men’s soccer coach at Stanstead College in Quebec and previously spent two seasons as the head coach of the Atlanta Silverbacks in the W-League.

Brown said Chandler has coached several Canadian and American women’s national team players.

“He’s extremely organized. He understands what it takes to be competitive at the highest levels, and he’ll push these women to attain their maximum individual performances,” said Brown. “The women are very fortunate to have him as a coach.”

Chandler led Dalhousie to Atlantic University Sport playoff berths all six seasons and Dalhousie reached the championship game three times.

Brown said he will be Chandler’s “silent assistant.”

“I’ll be able to step in when his schedule doesn’t allow him to be here for training,” said Brown.

The Bangor-based teams will have their first training sessions at Boucher Field on the Husson College campus in Bangor on Sunday.

Chandler’s Maine Tide team will open its season at home against Soccer Plus (Conn.) on May 17, while Bill Ashby’s Maine Sting will open against A.C. Diablos on May 24.

lmahoney@bangordailynews.net

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