FC Richmond is excited to announce that Spring Recreational Soccer and our Spring Advanced Development Program (ADP) are officially open for registration!

Our Recreational Program is the perfect entry point for young players of all experience levels. With a focus on fun, friendships, and learning the fundamentals of the game, Rec offers a welcoming environment for kids to grow their love of soccer while building confidence and teamwork.

For players ready to take the next step, the Advanced Development Program (ADP) provides a bridge between recreational and travel soccer. Led by professional and volunteer coaches, ADP introduces age-appropriate technical, tactical, physical, and mental development. The program is designed to prepare players for 7v7 travel soccer while keeping the experience positive and engaging.

Rec Registration CLICK HERE

ADP Registration CLICK HERE

Futsal is a fun, fast-paced game that challenges players in ways no other indoor format can, and the benefits directly transfer to the outdoor game. At FC Richmond, we believe that building a strong foundation of skills at younger ages is essential for long-term success. As players move up through the age groups, the demand to perform under limited time and space increases—making decision-making the most critical factor in becoming a well-rounded, effective player.

Futsal provides the perfect environment to sharpen those abilities: more touches on the ball, more opportunities to develop footwork, frequent 1v1 situations, and countless transition moments that require full focus and quick thinking.

Learn more about Rec Futsal HERE

Learn more about Travel Player Futsal HERE

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!

FC Richmond is excited to launch our new Brotherhood and Sisterhood programs for the 2025–2026 season! Each older team is paired with a younger team, creating opportunities for mentorship, role models, and stronger bonds across age groups. We kicked things off at our annual Season Opening Festival with plenty of fun and games to help teams connect. Throughout the season, partner teams will attend each other’s home matches to show their support and build lasting connections. We believe these partnerships will strengthen our club culture while giving players of all ages a sense of unity, encouragement, and pride.

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!