Richmond, VA – (Monday, January 28, 2008) – The Richmond Kickers Future of the Premier Development League are pleased to announce the signing of new head coach Kyle Lessig. Future midfielder and captain Andy McIntosh will continue to act as a player/assistant coach.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Kyle to continue the Kickers tradition of player development,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Vice President, Soccer Programs. “Kyle has impressed the Technical staff with his dedication and commitment to the club and we are very pleased that he has agreed to be our PDL Head Coach for the upcoming season. He will have a squad of talented local Richmond players at his disposal and I know he will create a positive environment for those players to continue to develop.”
“I‘m honored to be appointed the Head Coach of the Richmond Kickers Future,” adds Lessig. “I look forward to creating a professional environment for players that want to get to the next level.”
A native of New London, Connecticut, Lessig brings six years of professional playing experience to the Kickers Future after stints with the Connecticut Wolves (USL-1), New Jersey Stallions (USL-2), Municipal de Goicoichea Costa Rica (First Division) and Philadelphia Freedom (USISL Indoor). Presently, Lessig coaches two teams with the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club, U-17 Boys Elite and U-12 Boys South, and has gained extensive youth coaching experience with the Richmond Strikers, AC Alliance (Director of Player Development), Colonial FC (Director of Coaching), Barrington FC and New London Sounders Premier (Founder, Director of Coaching). Additionally, he is the former Connecticut College men’s soccer assistant coach and currently acts as the head coach of the Richmond Rowdies, a new indoor team in the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL).
After one year at Philadelphia University, Lessig transferred to the University of Hartford where he captained the NCAA Division 1 soccer team and earned a degree in secondary education. He holds a USSF “B” License and has experience with the USSF Youth National Team Pool.
Prior to the 2007 season, McIntosh was named assistant coach of the Richmond Kickers Future, having four years of playing experience on the Future’s roster (2004-07). A leader in the midfield, he has made 41 appearances with the Future, notching eight goals and seven assists for 23 points.
Active with the Kickers organization for the past six years, McIntosh joined the Kickers front office staff prior to the 2006 season as Director of Soccer Camps. He manages the Richmond Kickers summer camp program, which includes over 60 camps at 15 locations throughout the Richmond area. As the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club Classic Director, McIntosh oversees all of the Classic Teams U-13 through U-18. A native of London, England, he graduated from Loughborough University (England) with a BSc in Sports Science and a graduate degree in teaching. He holds a FA “C” license, a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
In seven seasons in the Premier Development League (PDL), the Richmond Kickers Future has compiled an overall record of 57-38-14. The PDL is a blend of recent and current college stars, elite high school players, and savvy veterans producing an environment ideal for player development. The PDL provides an opportunity for these players to perform in a professionalized setting during the summer months while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. Last year, 63 PDL players were selected in the Major League Soccer Draft including three from the Kickers Future.
