W League RVA News

Thomas’ ‘great mentality and leadership’ will maintain a competitive edge for this new side in Richmond.

Richmond, VA – W League RVA is pleased to announce Keely Thomas will join the team for its inaugural season pending league and federation approval. A Richmond native and former Richmond United player, Thomas plays goalkeeper at Long Island University. 

“Keely is a competitor and will bring a great mentality and leadership to our team,” Madeline McCracken said. “We put a big emphasis on character and Keely is a wonderful part of building the culture we want in our locker room. She plays at a high level consistently and we are excited to welcome her to the team!”

Thomas played her redshirt freshman season in Fall 2023 at Long Island University (LIU) after transferring from Longwood University. At LIU, she started every match for the Sharks and did not concede a goal for the first 191 minutes of the season. Thomas ultimately had six shutouts in 2023, seven wins and two draws. She was named Northeast Conference (NEC) Rookie of the Week for the first two weeks of the season and NEC Prime Performer three times. 

“Her ability to communicate to the back line and organize from her position, that’s a key part of Keely’s play and her confidence,” LIU Assistant Coach Mel Couzis said of Thomas’s play. “When she’s communicating like that it keeps her in the game and focused and that’s when she shows up and makes big saves.” 

Thomas’s skill had been evident throughout her high school career as well. Playing and starting in goal for four seasons at the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Thomas won a state title as a freshman with three straight postseason shutouts, including a 1-0 victory in the championship game over Meridian High School. In her senior season, Thomas was named to the All-Region team for her outstanding play across her career. 

The keeper has also represented RVA on various area youth soccer teams since she was two, playing for Richmond United across multiple seasons and through to the summer before her freshman year. 

Thomas said coming back to play with some familiar faces will be an additional highlight for her in this opportunity. 

“I’m most excited to play with a lot of my old teammates and some new ones at such a high level of play,” Thomas said. “It’s a great opportunity to play a different style and develop in different areas during the summer. My goal during this season is to really take advantage of this pre-professional environment, and the coaches and players involved to develop my abilities and confidence.”

During her time with Richmond United, Thomas helped her club team to four Mid-Atlantic Conference Championships and three recognitions as national semifinalists. Having coached Thomas herself, W League RVA Head Coach Cummings says Thomas brings great leadership skills and a strong presence to the team.

“I have watched Keeley continue to grow over the last two years in her collegiate endeavors, as well as in her time at Richmond United,” Cummings said. “Her overall leadership ability and presence, every time she steps on the pitch, is something I really wanted to capture with our roster this year. Keeley is the type of player that is consistently looking to raise her level; adding her to our goalkeeping department is an important step in pushing the bounds of what can be possible this season!

Thomas says she knows City Stadium well as a fan and is excited to take to the pitch for Richmond soccer fans. 

“I grew up watching the Kickers pro team play at City Stadium with my dad,” Thomas said. “I’d never thought I’d be the one playing at the stadium with my dad in the stands, it’s such a full circle moment. Thank you to Richmond Soccer Fans for your initial support and encouragement for the inaugural season of the Richmond W League Team. I think it’s so amazing, the new opportunities in the area that are being offered for women’s soccer development.” 

Don’t miss the opportunity to see Keely and the rest of the squad in action all season! Become a member of the Founder’s Club today for season tickets, exclusive merch and an invitation to the brand launch party. Founder’s Club memberships are on sale until March 1 so get your tickets now at https://seatgeek.com/w-league-rva-tickets/ticket-packages. 

Hargrove, a “proud representative of Richmond”, returns home to play between the pipes for W League RVA

RICHMOND, Va. — W League RVA is pleased to announce that goalkeeper Lauren Hargrove will join the team in its inaugural season pending league and federation approval. Hargrove, a junior at Virginia Tech (Tech, VT) is originally from Richmond and played for Richmond United throughout her young career. 

“The opportunity to play for this new team holds immense significance for me, not only as a goalkeeper but also as a proud representative of Richmond,” Hargrove said. “Being part of this inaugural squad allows me to contribute to the team’s foundation and be a part of its growth from the very beginning. It’s a chance to showcase my skills, build new connections, and bring the spirit of Richmond onto the field.”

Hargrove put together a breakout sophomore year with the Hokies in 2022 after coming on in relief of their injured starter 36 minutes into play at William & Mary College. Despite the team facing a 3-2 deficit, Hargrove stepped up and made key saves without conceding another goal which allowed the Hokies to pull off a 4-3 comeback victory.

“We’re excited for this opportunity for Lauren and hopefully for some other kids,” Tech Head Coach Charles Adair said. “We’re excited to see what Richmond’s doing for the women’s game and for these student athletes to give them another avenue to play in, prior to going to preseason with us in the college game so we’re excited and looking forward to the season to watch how everything pans out.” 

During the 2022 season, Hargrove maintained a 0.695 save percentage and posted a winning record of 9-7-2. She recorded 57 saves which ranked seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference on the year. Five of those saves came against Syracuse to claim her sixth clean sheet on the season. And, earlier in the season, Hargrove notched two back-to-back clean sheets in ACC action against Wake Forest and NC State. 

According to Adair, Hargrove’s best performance came in the NCAA Tournament in a 2-0 loss at West Virginia. Despite the result, Hargrove made six saves to keep the Hokies in the match and was singled out as the player of the match.

In her freshman season, Hargrove made two reserve goalkeeping appearances and finished with a clean sheet in one of those appearances. She logged 22 minutes during her collegiate debut, starting the second half during the Hokies’ 7-1 win against Elon. Hargrove will return to the Hokies after the season with W League RVA as a redshirt junior.

“For us, it was seeing Lauren’s passion for playing and her passion for sports,” Adair said of what drew them to Hargrove in the first place. “She’s got an enjoyment when she plays and an enjoyment with the sport and training so we enjoy that and her personality. She’s been a very good shot stopper. She’s someone who can step in and play in all different situations and we have been able to use her in different situations while she has been with us at Tech.”

Before college, Hargrove played for Richmond United (RU) throughout high school and served as the Douglas S. Freeman High School varsity starting goalkeeper for all four years as well. Under coaches Aaron Brunner and Andy McIntosh, Hargrove posted 15 clean sheets across 20 matches during the 2019-20 season for RU. In doing so, she helped Richmond advance to the Elite Club National League (ECNL) national qualifiers. 

“Watching Lauren play her youth career and be a role model for young Richmond United goalkeepers is exactly what I’m excited to watch her replicate again between the pipes for W League RVA,” W League RVA Head Coach Kimmy Cummings said. “She’s always been a player that gives everything she has in training and in games while challenging those around her to push their limits. Lauren’s comfort on the ball and willingness to play a high line to help build and support our attack is what I believe our fans will want to see in City Stadium! I’m excited to welcome her to the team!”

With Freeman High School, Hargrove helped the Mavericks reach the 2019 Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 5 semifinals. In 2018, she was named to the Richmond Metro All-Region Second Team and co-led the Mavericks to the 2018 VHSL Class 5 championship match.  

As a youth player, Hargrove was a goalkeeper for the Richmond Strikers from 2010 to 2016. Additionally, Hargrove played three seasons in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2015 to 2017. She competed in the ODP Virginia State Pool in all three years and jumped to the ODP National Pool in 2016. Across her ODP timeline, Hargrove participated in the annual U.S. Training Center events. 

“I am very excited to welcome Lauren to W League RVA!” Sporting Director Madeline McCracken said. “She plays with an intensity and passion that will be integral to the success of our team. Lauren is a natural-born leader and has immense quality as a goalkeeper. She will strengthen our backline in 2024.” 

Don’t miss the opportunity to see Lauren and the rest of the squad in action this season! Become a member of the Founder’s Club today for season tickets, exclusive merch and an invitation to the brand launch party. Founder’s Club memberships are on sale until March 1 so get your tickets now at https://seatgeek.com/w-league-rva-tickets/ticket-packages. 

The Virginia native continues her work in the Richmond area developing young goalkeepers.

Richmond, Va. – W League RVA is pleased to announce that Amanda Forester will join the team’s coaching staff as Goalkeeper Coach for the inaugural season. Forester currently serves as Director of Goalkeeping for the Richmond Goalkeeping Academy which she founded in 2008. 

“I am very humbled and excited to work with Kimmy, Madeline and our W League RVA coaching staff,” Forester said. “They are some of the best soccer professionals in the Richmond area and I look forward to adding my professional goalkeeping expertise to our culture and training environment. This is going to be a great inaugural season!”

Her coaching career began when she was just 17, when she became the youngest Director of Goalkeeping to be hired at Old Dominion Select Travel Soccer Club in Virginia Beach, VA. From there, she worked with various PDP programs and travel teams with the Roanoke Stars Travel Soccer, Richmond Kickers, FC Richmond, and she offered private coaching throughout the state of Virginia later founding the Richmond Goalkeeping Academy in 2008.  

“Amanda [Forester] has an excellent track record of success developing young goalkeepers,” Sporting Director Madeline McCracken said. “She also brings with her a wealth of goalkeeping experience and tremendous soccer insights. I’m thrilled that our players will have the opportunity to work with and learn from her.” 

Forester’s player experience includes being a member of the 2003 USL Super Youth League U-18 Hampton Roads Piranhas, the second team to the USL W League team of the same name. The Virginia Beach native helped lead her team to the 2003 USL Super Y League National Finals. 

For college soccer, she stayed in her home state and played at Ferrum College.

Forester’s coaching philosophy works to develop complete goalkeepers who are mentally and physically ready to serve as leaders on and off the field and able to step on the field at any moment.

Over the last 19 years, Forester and her staff have coached and mentored goalkeepers to help them move on to every level of collegiate soccer, ECNL, MLS NEXT Academy, Girl’s Academy, semi-professional and professional leagues. She has worked with Samantha Leshnak-Murphy of the North Carolina Courage and she has partnered in coaching with multiple professional goalkeepers including USWNT goalkeeper Casey Murphy. 

“I’m thrilled to add Amanda to the coaching staff to work directly with our goalkeepers on a day-to-day basis,” Head Coach Kimmy Cummings said. “Curating an environment that allows our goalkeepers to grow and compete is incredibly important to our overall success as a team. Amanda brings the right level of experience to our staff, and I’m excited for her to hit the ground running!”

Previously, Forester served as the goalkeeping and assistant coach for Marymount University’s women’s and men’s soccer programs from 2020-2021. In July 2021, she became the third woman ever to serve as a goalkeeping coach in NCAA D1 men’s soccer when she joined Longwood University’s men’s soccer staff.

She also worked as the director of goalkeeping for Skyline Elite’s ECNL Boys and Girls Academy in Charlottesville, Va

Forester’s passion for developing and mentoring young leaders in the sports world extends into the greater Richmond community. She has been invited to speak in various settings with both the youth and adults alike to share her background in business development, public speaking, and coaching.

“I am looking forward to bringing a high level and competitive training environment to our goalkeeper union, adding to the culture of the team, and encouraging our goalkeepers to be positive role models

Ready to kick off their inaugural season, W League RVA presents their 2024 schedule.

TAMPA, Fla. and RICHMOND, Va. – USL W League and W League RVA announced, Thursday, the full 2024 match schedule. The 2024 season will be the inaugural season for W League RVA. The schedule features 12 regular season matches, six at home and six away.

W League RVA will join the Mid Atlantic Division for their 2024 play. The division features eight teams: W League RVA, Charlottesville Blues FC, Christos FC, Eagle FC, Lancaster Inferno FC, Northern Virginia FC, Patuxent FA and Virginia Marauders FC.

5/11	vs. Virginia Marauders 6:00 p.m. at City Stadium
5/23	vs. Charlottesville Blues 6:00 p.m. at City Stadium
5/26	@ Virginia Marauders 7:00 p.m. Location TBD
5/29	@ Northern Virginia Time and Location TBD
6/1	vs. Christos FC 6:00 p.m. City Stadium
6/5	@ Charlottesville Blues 5:00 p.m. St. Anne’s-Belfield School
6/7	@ Lancaster Inferno 7:00 p.m. F&M College
6/13	Patuxent FA 7:00 p.m. at City Stadium
6/15	@ Eagle FC 6:00 p.m. Mountain View Middle School
6/19	@ Christos FC Time and Location TBD
6/21	vs. Eagle FC 7:00 p.m. City Stadium
6/28	vs. Lancaster Inferno 7:00 p.m. City Stadium

Season Opener (W League RVA’s Version) — Virginia Marauders FC

W League RVA will start their first season in the comfort of City Stadium. Taking on the Virginia Marauders, W League RVA will be pumped for an opening night that opens both the season and the team’s history in front of Richmond soccer fans.

The game will kick off at 6:00 p.m. at City Stadium.

New Kids On the Block — Charlottesville Blues FC

Second game of the season, W League RVA hosts the Charlottesville Blues at 6:00 p.m. Barely an hour away, the Blues are RVA’s closest opponent. The Blues are also celebrating their inaugural season.

W League RVA will look to control the middle of Virginia as we make a name for ourselves this season, hosting Charlottesville first on May 23 and facing them again, this time in Charlottesville, on June 5.

Regular Season Finale – Lancaster Inferno FC

W League RVA will host Lancaster Inferno at 7:00 p.m. in City Stadium to close out the season. The last two weeks of June will be a home stand for W League RVA. The back-to-back games will feature Eagle FC on June 21 and Lancaster on June 28 in the regular season finale.

Spend your June Friday nights under the lights with us at City Stadium!

Don’t miss any of the action this season as W League RVA starts to write its own history. Join the Founder’s Club for season tickets and access to exclusive opportunities and merch. As a member of the Founder’s Club, you’ll receive an invitation to our brand launch party on March 13. Get your tickets and your invitation now!

And, for just $50, fans can save up to $10 off their tickets to all City Stadium events, 15% off Kickers and W League RVA merchandise, and more with a CityStadium+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first five (5) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/csplus.

Stay tuned to the W League Richmond social channels on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X (formerly Twitter) for more updates ahead of kickoff in 2024 including technical staff, branding, jerseys, and more!

About W League RVA

Announced on July 15, 2023, W League RVA is one of the latest USL W League expansion sides. 22 Holdings, LLC, the ownership group that runs the Richmond Kickers, founded the W League side to create a new level of competition for women’s soccer in the region. The team will have its own unique identity and branding that will launch in 2024.

The W League RVA team competing in 2024 marks the first time Richmond has fielded a pre-professional women’s team since the Richmond Kickers Destiny that operated from 2005 to 2009. As players did while playing for Destiny, W League RVA players will have a platform to develop their talents as players and serve as role models to lead the growth of women’s soccer in our wider community.