Jimmy Nielsen is the Head Coach of Hartford Athletic. Prior to his coaching career, Nielsen competed for 19 years as a professional player in Denmark, England, and with the Major League Soccer franchise Sporting Kansas City. At Kansas City, Nielsen was captain, a two-time MLS All-Star, Goalkeeper of the Year (2012), and winner of the U.S. Open Cup (2012) and the MLS Cup (2013).
Nielsen coached the USL expansion club Oklahoma City Energy FC from 2014 to 2017. During his tenure with Oklahoma City, the team made the playoffs three out of four seasons including two appearances in the USL Western Conference Finals. Nielsen was also a finalist for the 2015 USL Coach of the Year Award after the Energy finished the regular season tied atop the Western Conference standings.