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Jill Ellis, the soft-spoken English-born coach who restored the United States to its position as the pre-eminent force in women’s soccer, is stepping down as coach of the women’s national team, less than a month after leading the Americans to their second straight Women’s World Cup title.
Ellis, 52, plans to coach the team through its coming victory tour before leaving the post, according to a U.S. Soccer official with knowledge of Ellis’s plans who confirmed her decision to step down. That valedictory tour will begin Saturday with a friendly against Ireland at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.