STA Technical Director Tom Shields has been named as the Head Coach for the 2022 FC Motown STA USL2 season.
Shields, who holds a USSF A License has been the long time Boys ECNL Director at STA where he has overseen the commitment of more than 125 boys into the collegiate ranks alongside the successful capture of two US Club Soccer National Championships. Currently the Head Coach of STA’s U19 ECNL Boys team, he’s the former Assistant Coach at Rutgers University Men’s Soccer of the NCAA’s Big 10. A 10 time national staff coach within US Club Soccer’s Boys Id2 program and recently named as a Head Coach for the Boys ECNL National Selection game in Florida, he brings a wealth of experience to the role and is widely considered as one of the country’s brightest young coaches.
Of the opportunity Shields said, “I’d like to thank the ownership groups of both FC Motown and STA for entrusting me with this opportunity. I simply cannot wait for our USl2 season to begin and for the opportunity to get to work with these guys! When the partnership was first agreed, I spoke of my excitement at building something that our club and community at large could be proud of. Something that could inspire and ignite a true passion for soccer in the lives of our young players and their families and that’s exactly what I look forward to us trying to do. What a privilege it is for our staff and team to have that opportunity, and I am sure our group of young, hungry and extremely talented guys will embrace that challenge head on with the dynamic and attack minded brand of soccer they will play. I look forward to seeing as many friendly faces from across our STA and FC Motown families in the stands supporting us as possible, and thank everyone in advance for their backing. Here’s to a great summer!”
Joining Shields will be a technical staff not only packed full with quality, but also with significant experience across the men’s, collegiate and youth games. Alan McClintock (Drew University Men’s Assistant) is FC Motown’s Sporting Director. Matty Farrell (STA MO Director of Coaching) and Duncan Swanwick (STA U23 Head Coach) will act as Assistant Coaches while Dave Pecarek (FC Motown Goalkeeping Director) and Zack Roth (STA Director of Goalkeeping) will work as the team’s Goalkeeping Coaches. Lastly, Ed Duddy will continue in his STA role as the Head of Performance.
Should you be interested in representing FC Motown STA in USL2, please email tshields@stasoccer.org with an overview of your playing experience to date.