This year, FC Richmond proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary—a milestone that honors not only the longevity of a club, but its legacy of excellence that has defined the organization since day one.

The roots of FC Richmond go back to 1971, when Dave Amsler launched the first summer soccer league in Richmond, Virginia. What started with a few players quickly grew to more than 1,100 youth athletes—a sign of things to come. In 1976, Dave took another bold step by founding the Richmond Strikers, the area’s first travel soccer organization. 

In 1985, Dave founded FC Richmond Magic Soccer Club. A second merger in 1990 with the Greenfield Dragons led to the formation of three iconic travel divisions—Magic, Mystx, and Metro—all under the FC Richmond banner.

Today, FC Richmond serves over 3,000 youth players through its Recreation, Futures, Advanced Development and Travel soccer programs, remaining true to the high standards that have shaped thousands of players over four decades.

Excellence on the Field, Growth Beyond the Game

From its earliest days, FC Richmond has prioritized more than just developing technically sound players. The club’s mission is centered on a personalized, holistic development approach—one that fosters character, resilience, and lifelong lessons through the game of soccer. That approach has led to the development of 26 professional players, 21 national team players, one National Gatorade Player of the Year, and nearly 1,000 NCAA athletes.

Beginning at the U13 level, FC Richmond players experience milestone trips across the country and internationally, giving them cultural exposure while playing the game they love. Through the club’s Junior Board of Directors, high school players step into leadership roles—helping to shape club events and community service efforts while developing leadership skills they will carry into the future.

Our Pillars of Success

FC Richmond’s player-first philosophy is built on three core pillars:

• Character: Developing the person behind the player.

• Competitiveness: Embracing the process of growth and pushing past limits.

• Community: Building meaningful connections through the shared love of the game.

These values drive who we are at every training session, every match, and every moment of mentorship.

Leadership Rooted in Experience

At the helm of the club’s soccer development are two leaders who embody the very roots of FC Richmond—Trip Ellis and Trip Dunville. Both began their soccer journeys playing for founder Dave Amsler on the original FC Richmond Magic teams, and today, they continue to carry forward his legacy.

Trip Ellis, FC Richmond’s Technical/Executive Director, has been in a leadership role with the club for 26 years. He holds USSF A and National Youth Licenses, was a Division I player and had a six year professional playing career.

Trip Dunville, FC Richmond’s Boys Director of Coaching, has served the club in a leadership capacity for 14 years. He also holds USSF A and National Youth Licenses, and during his playing career, he was a member of the ODP State and Regional teams, the NSCAA All-Area team, and later the US Virgin Islands National Team during their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Both Trip Ellis and Trip Dunville lead a seasoned coaching staff committed to delivering top-tier instruction and fostering each player’s individual journey.

Honoring the Legacy of Dave Amsler

No tribute to FC Richmond would be complete without honoring its founder, Dave Amsler (March 22, 1948 – June 4, 2021). Dave was a true pioneer of American youth soccer, earning one of the first 50 USSF A Licenses in 1975 and dedicating more than five decades to coaching, teaching, and shaping the future of the sport.

Beyond founding FC Richmond, Dave created the Virginia Club Champions League (VCCL)—now the Club Champions League (CCL). Through his programs, Dave directly influenced the development of more than 800 college players, 24 professionals, and 20 national team athletes.

He was more than a coach. He was a mentor, a visionary, and the heart of FC Richmond.

Looking Forward

As we honor our past, FC Richmond continues to build toward the future—creating a culture where dedication meets opportunity, and where players are empowered to grow into successful athletes, leaders, and people.

We’re proud to celebrate 40 years of shaping not just soccer players, but confident young men and women prepared for life Beyond the Game. Here’s to the next 40!