FALL FUTSAL IS BACK AT FC RICHMOND!!
FC Richmond will once again be offering a futsal program this fall for players who want to keep a foot on the ball and improve their footwork. Futsal quickly builds technical skill, agility, and sharp ball control. Because the ball has less bounce it tends to stay in play longer and promotes close ball control. After playing in enclosed areas and learning to think and react quickly, players find, when they return to the full field, they react well under pressure. It also develops creativity as players are constantly placed in demanding decision-making situations.
Additional Details:
Learn more and register HERE
We would like to share with FC Richmond families that Mac Phillips, Assistant Director of Coaching, will be leaving the club in July to pursue new opportunities in Charlottesville. Mac has been an integral part of our club for several years, and we are grateful for the impact he has had on our players and teams. Please join us in wishing him the very best in his new endeavors!
FC Richmond is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Verbeek as our new Assistant Director of Coaching. Originally from The Netherlands, Mark moved to the United States and played for FC Richmond from U13 to U18 (2006-2012). During his high school career at Cosby High School, he contributed to multiple District and Region titles. Following his time in the US, Mark returned to The Netherlands to pursue higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in International Sports, Management and Business from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.
Upon returning to the Richmond area in 2020, Mark quickly reconnected with his former club, FC Richmond. He began coaching the U10 age group and has since expanded his coaching roles to include ADP, U11, U13, U15, and U17 teams. Mark also has experience as an assistant coach for the VA ODP Central District and at Cosby High School, where he helped the team secure the VHSL Class 6 State Title in 2024.
"Mark’s long-standing connection to FC Richmond, combined with his international experience and passion for the game, makes him a perfect fit for this role,” said Trip Ellis, Executive Director of FC Richmond. “His deep understanding of the club’s history and vision, coupled with his leadership and innovative thinking, will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen our community.”
In addition to his coaching work, Mark has been actively involved in the soccer industry since completing his bachelor's degree. His professional experience includes selling and implementing various software solutions for professional soccer clubs and federations worldwide.
“It’s an honor to join FC Richmond in a larger capacity after years as a player and coach. This experience has provided me with a unique lens through which to view our club’s potential, and I’m deeply committed to the vision we all share. This is an exciting moment to be part of FC Richmond, especially with the momentum from the MLS Next and GA announcements. I’m very appreciative of the trust placed in me by Trip Ellis, Trip Dunville, and everyone involved, and I look forward to contributing to the club’s continued success.” – Mark Verbeek
Please join us in welcoming Mark to this new role as we continue to grow and strengthen the FC Richmond community!
FC Richmond is proud to announce Lester “Coach Les” Dewee as our new Director of Recreational Programs. With a lifelong commitment to the game and a deep alignment with our club’s “Beyond the Game” values, Coach Les brings a player-first mindset and a passion for community-building to this important leadership role.
Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, Les began playing soccer at the age of six and quickly developed into a standout youth player. He competed with elite teams such as D.C. United and the academies of Bordeaux and Marseille (Ligue 1, France), earning four Maryland State Cups and two Regional Championships along the way. His youth career peaked with a U16 Ligue 1 national title while playing for the Marseille Academy. At the senior level, he played professionally in Sweden and earned trials with top clubs across Europe, including Lille, PSG, Crystal Palace, and Newcastle United. Les also proudly represented the United States at the U-14, U-15, U-17, and U-20 levels.
Before moving to Richmond, Les spent four years as the Head Academy Coach at Bethesda Soccer Club. After a brief hiatus while working as a software engineer, his passion for the game led him to FC Richmond, where he has made an immediate impact—serving as a U10 travel coach for Navy and Sky Magic Elite and most recently as Director of the Futures Program.
Coach Les approaches the game from a unique “player-first” and “people-first” perspective, valuing the holistic development of every child both on and off the field. A firm believer in the power of resilience, dedication, and education, Les is currently completing his psychology degree at VCU with the goal of becoming a sports psychologist. He also holds a USSF National “D” License and is actively pursuing his “C” License this year.
“Les is a valued part of our coaching staff, and his passion for player development and community building makes him the perfect fit for this role. I’m excited to see the energy and leadership he’ll bring to our recreational programs.” — Trip Dunville, Director of Coaching
Off the field, Les is an avid reader and runner, and he is passionate about mentorship and service, having previously volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
"I am super excited about this opportunity and really grateful for what Darien McClurg has done for the Rec program over the last few years and look forward to adding to it and working with the team to continue building a more comprehensive landscape for youth soccer in the Richmond area.” - Les Dewee
Please join us in welcoming Coach Les to his new role!
Recreational Soccer is primarily devoted to the development of youth soccer players.
FC Richmond is a family-oriented soccer club that provides an opportunity to play organized soccer at the recreational, developmental and competitive levels for players at ages 3 – 19 years old. We offer challenging programs that place the focus on the development of the whole player within a team environment.
FC Richmond is committed to providing the best technical and tactical overall athletic development for each individual player while offering players, their families and coaches an enjoyable soccer experience. We are dedicated to helping players reach their full potential while fostering a love of the game.
Learn more HERE
FC Richmond Welcomes Marty Beall as Girls Director of Coaching
FC Richmond is pleased to announce the hiring of Marty Beall as our new Girls Director of Coaching. Marty brings over two decades of coaching experience at both the collegiate and youth levels and a proven track record of developing players and programs with integrity, energy, and excellence.
Most recently, Marty served as the Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was responsible for scouting, recruiting, and practice planning. Prior to that, he was the Head Coach of the University of Richmond Women’s Soccer Program (2018–2022), where he led the Spiders to their highest A10 win total since 2011 and fewest goals against in over a decade.
Marty made his mark nationally during his nine-year tenure as Head Coach at High Point University, becoming the program’s all-time winningest coach. Under his leadership, the team captured 4 Big South Tournament Championships, 4 Regular Season titles, and he earned Big South Coach of the Year honors twice. He began his collegiate coaching career at Francis Marion University, where he led the program to a Peach Belt Conference Championship and a DII NCAA Tournament appearance, while being named Coach of the Year in 2004.
"We are excited to welcome Marty Beall as our first Girls Director of Coaching! His extensive background will be instrumental in guiding our coaching staff and athletes towards their goals while building a structured, supportive developmental pathway for our younger players to grow and thrive. We are confident that between Marty and Gabby Muncy, our female players will experience a renewed level of attention, support, and programming. Together, they bring the leadership and vision we needed to elevate the girls' experience at FC Richmond." - Trip Ellis
In addition to his extensive college coaching résumé, Marty brings deep experience in youth development. He served as a head coach with Richmond Strikers, was on the ODP coaching staff in North Carolina and South Carolina, and worked in leadership roles at Piedmont Triad FC and in Florence, SC, helping shape club methodologies and developing both players and coaches.
Marty holds a USSF “B” License, NSCAA Premier Diploma, and NSCAA Master’s Diploma, and his coaching philosophy emphasizes player development, character, and leadership—values that align perfectly with FC Richmond’s mission.
“I’m extremely grateful to Trip Ellis for this amazing opportunity. It’s truly an honor to join the FC Richmond community and partner with their incredible staff to have a positive impact on each player’s development.” – Marty Beall
“I am thrilled to have Marty join us on staff! We worked together for two seasons at VCU so I can testify to the excellence of his coaching and character. With decades of collegiate and youth experience coaching young women, I know he will make an immediate impact both on and off the field. Looking forward to collaborating once again as we serve the girls program and their families.” – Gabby Muncy
We’re excited to welcome Coach Beall to the FC Richmond family as he begins this next chapter leading our Girls Program.
Complimenting this exciting addition, we are pleased to share that Trip Dunville will serve as the Boys Director of Coaching. Trip’s steady leadership and deep connection to the club provide a strong foundation for continued growth and development on the boys’ side. Together, Marty and Trip bring a wealth of experience and a shared vision that will strengthen our entire FC Richmond community.
We are excited to offer Recreational players U7-14 the opportunity to play futsal this Summer 2025. This is an excellent opportunity to get extra touches on the ball in a smaller space indoors. The season will consist of 7-8 games between 5/31-8/2.
Location: Guardian Christian Academy's indoor facility (6851 Courthouse Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832)
Cost: $175.00/player + $10.00 VYSA fee for Futsal Registration (if your player did NOT play FC Richmond Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 Rec soccer)
Learn more and register HERE.
We are excited to announce that our U13 – U19 Girls Elite teams will compete in the Girls Academy ASPIRE League. ASPIRE serves as a critical bridge between the Girls Academy top-tier league and the highly competitive landscape of elite youth soccer. ASPIRE introduces a performance-driven model where clubs must apply and meet specific criteria for acceptance, ensuring that every team competes at the appropriate level while upholding the highest standards of player and club development.
Our acceptance into ASPIRE comes after a substantial evaluation process and marks yet another key milestone for FC Richmond. As we continue to strengthen our girls’ program with new staff leadership and enhanced programming, this development couldn’t come at a better time. ASPIRE shares our goal to propel girls’ soccer forward and create an environment where every player has a place to develop, compete and succeed at the highest level possible. We hope you will join us as we continue to strengthen our girls’ program and compete in this new and exciting league. Learn more about ASPIRE HERE.
Dear FC Richmond Community,
We are thrilled to announce that our club will be joining MLS NEXT’s new competition tier starting September 2025. MLS Next is the top boys soccer league in the country and FC Richmond will be the first and only club in Richmond to join this league – marking a historic moment for youth soccer in Richmond.
Our U13 – U19 boys’ teams will compete in this league alongside some of the most talented young athletes and reputable clubs in the nation. Joining this league will afford our players the opportunity to train and compete at the highest level while bolstering talent identification opportunities for college, professional and national team scouts to evaluate our players on a regular basis.
Prior to expanding, MLS Next executes a rigorous application process for potential new clubs across the country, evaluating facilities, training plans, coaching expertise, player pathways and more. Our selection underscores the success of our club’s mission to produce young athletes who reach their full potential on the field and beyond the game and is a testament to the hard work of our players, coaches and staff.
While we are growing our facilities, introducing new staff and joining the top boys soccer league in the country, our club culture and mission remain the same. It is our commitment to our core principles, and most importantly to our players, that has afforded us success over the past 40 years and will successfully guide us in this new era.
We encourage you to join us as we compete in this new and exciting league. Tryout registration across all groups to join FC Richmond Travel Teams is live for the 2025-2026 season and information and registration links can be found on our website HERE. Learn more about MLS NEXT New Competition Tier HERE.
If you, or any prospective player, have any questions, feel free to contact us at: travel@fcrichmond.com.
Sincerely,
Trip Ellis
Executive Director, FC Richmond
FC Richmond is pleased to offer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) for young athletes with physical or developmental disabilities. This free program is designed to enable all children the opportunity to play soccer in an environment that is safe, fun, supportive and inclusive.
Learn more HERE
FC Richmond is excited to announce that tryout registration for the 2025-2026 season is now LIVE!
Our mission is to produce young athletes who reach their full potential on the field and beyond the game.
Entering our 40th year as a club, we are ushering in this new era of youth soccer with players committed to developing their game at one of the best soccer clubs in the region. FC Richmond is large enough to attract top talent and compete at a high level, but small enough to ensure each player is given the individual coaching they need to reach their full potential.
Our dedicated and experienced staff has produced some of the best talent to ever play in Richmond, including 24 professional players, 21 national team players, a Gatorade National Player of the Year and nearly 1,000 NCAA college players.
If you are committed to developing your game in a high-level environment with some of the best coaches and players in the region, sign up and join our legacy of success at FC Richmond today.
Learn more HERE