Women’s coaching staff

Head coach: Mike Idland (first year)

Assistant coaches: Dani Martinez (first year as coach, fourth year with club) and Kate Rachwal (first year)

FC Buffalo is thrilled to announce our 2026 coaching staff for the 2026 USL W League season.

The club conducted a deep search for our third women’s head coach following Greg Margolis’ hire to Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Coach Margolis and assistants Victoria Caruso and Emily Kelly are the best kind of people and we will cheer for them in every one of their endeavors moving forward in soccer.

We’ve found an exceptional group of coaches to guide us into the 2026 season, and we’re eager to watch them do their thing as preseason begins and the season asks so much.

Head coach Mike Idland is our new leader, and he’ll be flanked by former FCB midfielder Dani Martinez (Wales, NY) and recent graduate Kate Rachwal (East Aurora, NY) as the club embarks on the new campaign.

“We spoke with a lot of people in making this decision, which is a meaningful one after two great appointments in Coaches Bartholomew and Margolis,” said FC Buffalo co-founder Nick Mendola. “It was instantly clear in our conversations with Coach Idland that he shared the same drive and passion for the game and our area that launched our club in 2009, and we’re incredibly happy that he’s appointed two brilliant, local, competitive women in Coach Martinez and Coach Rachwal. We’re grateful to welcome all three coaches as part of the Blue and Gold.”

• Mike Idland Is a USSF A-licensed coach who recently has led the SUNY Brockport women’s team for a decade. He’s been conference coach of the year at Brockport and his first stop at Pitt-Bradford, which followed assistant roles at Canisius and Buffalo State.
• Dani Martinez was one of FC Buffalo’s first signings after a terrific collegiate career at D’Youville. The hard-nosed midfielder scored a goal with 2 assists during 23 matches with FCB.
• Kate Rachwal was a multi-sport captain at East Aurora before an award-winning career on the St. John Fisher women’s team from 2021-24 and is a coach with local club Aurora Arsenal.

FC BUFFALO WOMEN’S COACHING HISTORY

2025: Head coach Greg Margolis
Regular season record: 5-2-2
Assistant coaches: Victoria Caruso, Emily Kelly

2021-24: Head coach Nikki Bartholomew
Regular season record: 28-4-4
Playoff record: 4-4
Assistant coaches: Gabrielle Wilson, Trevor Lawler, Angela Nicholas-Tolsma, John Netter, Leah Ponticello