RICHMOND, Va. — Many of the players on FC Richmond’s Magic U18/19 Elite boys soccer team, coached by Trip Ellis, have been together since they started their soccer careers at U10 in the Player Development Program. They have experienced their entire Club Soccer experience together and this is part of the reason for their success on the field. According to Kris South, Administrator for FC Richmond, “This group is one of the most successful groups to come through FC Richmond.”

To their credit they have achieved many State Cup Semi Finals and Finals appearances. And they made it to the State Cup Finals again on November 7^th this year. They’ve also been the Club Champions League winners on more than one occasion and are in position to do it again this season. Additionally, one of the team members has a commitment to play division I soccer at the University of Virginia.

The team has always been strong, but this year, with many seniors on the team, their goal was a State Cup Championship and a CCL National League Championship. Lead by Team Captains Parker Sloan and Ethan Nguyen, their chances were high. These two young men have been leaders on this team since U10. Also, a key player, Pierce Boerner, is the leading goal scorer on the team. “What makes these three vital to the success of the team is that they are the heart of soul of the group,” says Kris. “They are great role models for their teammates and the younger players in our program through their hard work, dedication, focus, and staying true to the FC Richmond way.”

The team has a pregame ritual where they form a tight circle away from the coaches and parents and visualize the game and discuss their opponent. They share all the details that they know about the team they are about to play, what they’ve gone over with Coach Ellis and any other details that will bring them success. New members are welcomed with open arms, but they are expected to share the same level of commitment, intensity, and desire to win. When scoring goals, the team keeps their on-field reactions to a minimum, saving their celebrations for after they’ve walked away with the win.

Many of these young men are college driven. They have a long history of success on the field and want to continue that success. These players are academically strong. “They represent the Club well,” says Kris. “Many of them work with the younger players in our program and are mentors with the utmost respect. They truly go Beyond the Game!”

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