FC Richmond’s Travel Soccer Programs, Futures Program and Recreational Soccer Programs are under the direction of Trip Ellis, Technical/Executive Director, and Trip Dunville, Director of Coaching.  Trip Ellis holds both a USSF A and National Youth coaching license, played professional soccer with the Richmond Kickers, Philadelphia Kixx, and the Raleigh Capital Express.  Trip has more than 20 years of coaching experience to his credit.  

Trip Dunville holds both a USSF National A and National Youth license. Trip was one of the original members of the FC Richmond Magic program.  During his time as a player, Trip was a member of ODP State and Regional teams and a member of the NSCAA All-Area team in 1985 and 1986. After high school Trip headed Davis and Elkins College to play for the nationally ranked Senators soccer program. After college, Dunville became a member of the US Virgin Islands National Team and competed with the national team in their 2006 World Cup Qualifying campaign.

FC Richmond Founder, Dave Amsler, March 22, 1948 - June 4, 2021

Dave was a professional soccer teacher for 50 years. In 1975 he was one of the first 50 coaches to earn the USSF "A" coaching license -- American soccer’s highest license.

Dave was the Director of Coaching for FC Richmond from 1985 until he transitioned to Technical Director in 2017.

In 1976 Dave founded the Richmond Strikers Soccer Club and continued as its director until 1985 when he founded FC Richmond Magic. He was active in both the boys and girls Olympic Development Programs for 20 years as a Region I staff coach and a Virginia State team coach. Dave served as Director of the JCP State Coaching School for 10 years and has been a frequent lecturer for youth soccer coaches in the South. Dave was also Co-Director of the Randolph Macon Soccer Camp for eight years and was a high school soccer coach for three years. 

In 1997, Dave founded and was President of the Virginia Club Champions League (VCCL) for 18 years and now exists as the Club Champions League (CCL). The Club Champions League (CCL) is the first, and largest, club-based youth soccer league in the United States.  With four distinct competitive divisions, the league has over 13,000 participants, and over 72,000 registered youth soccer players within CCL member clubs.  The CCL is larger than many state associations. The league is one of, if not, the most competitive league in the region and/or country. 

As a soccer player and coach, Dave has traveled to thirty (30) different countries. Over eight hundred (800+) former players in his programs have played in 100+ different US colleges and universities. Over the years, Dave and his staff has coached and participated in the development of twenty (20) National Team players; several college (6) and high school (15) All-Americans; twenty four (24) professional players; three (3) professional-level coaches; and the only current FIFA-licensed referee in the State of Virginia.

While attending Campbell College in North Carolina, Dave was voted team MVP all four years, was a 3-time All-South All-American, and captained Campbell College for two years. In 1969 he captained the team to a 5th place finish in the nation in the NAIA National Championship and was inducted into the Campbell University College Hall of Fame in October 2000. Dave earned his B.S. in Health and Physical Education while attending Campbell College.

Dave was married and had three children, four stepchildren and three grandchildren. Dave passed away on June 4, 2021.

History of FC Richmond 

In 1971 Dave started the first Summer Soccer League in Richmond, Virginia. The league quickly grew to more than 1100 youth players.

Dave founded the Richmond Strikers in 1976, the first Travel Soccer Team in Richmond.  The team traveled each week to play in a Northern Virginia league. They won the league in their first year of competition. FC Richmond's Jeff Rogers, was on that team.

In 1980, the Richmond Strikers merged with the Three Chopt Recreation Association, retaining the Richmond Strikers name.

In 1985, Dave founded the FC Richmond Magic Soccer Club. Three years later FC Richmond merged with the Greenfield Dragons Athletic Association. The FC Richmond name was retained and three travel soccer divisions were formed: Magic, Mystx, and Metro.

Today FC Richmond serves and develops 2,500 young athletes in Recreation, Futures, and Travel soccer programs. FC Richmond’s high standards of excellence have helped countless players develop skill and character through commitment to the game.