The Northern Virginia Football Club (NOVA FC) eagerly announced today that Tom Torres, the current club Director of Coaching, will serve as head coach for the PDL Royals. Torres assumes the head coaching spot vacated by John Pascarella, who departed this week for an MLS position as the Kansas City Wizards goalkeeping and conditioning coach.

Torres takes the helm of the PDL Royals effective immediately. His role as the head coach for U15 Royals and U17 Majestics, both North American tournament semifinalists, remains unchanged. However, he will relinquish coaching responsibilities in both the Super 20 NOVA FC girls and the W-League Majestics (assistant coach).

The Super Y-League component of NOVA FC has seen unprecedented success under the coaching directorship of Torres. The club previously earned the number ten spot on the 2007 First 11 Club rankings released in last October, but surged ahead to the number five on this year’s list.  The club earned 32 youth player ODP National Camp selections and sent seven teams to the Super 20 and Super Y-League North American Finals in 2008. 

Torres, a native of Alexandria Virginia, began his collegiate playing experience at Virginia Wesleyan College (Norfolk) before transferring to Radford University in 1996. He excelled at Radford, earning Big South Player of the Week accolades that year.

Torres holds a USSF A License and NSCAA National Diploma as well as several other coaching credentials. He also serves as head coach for Westfield High School (Centreville) boys and Arlington Travel Soccer Club.  He resides in Burke, Va, with his wife Jen and son Grady.

“Tom’s transition from Y-League to the PDL won’t be a difficult one,” commented Royals owner Mo Sheta. “He has a complete understanding of our development program and remains an integral part of it.”

“I am very confident that Tom can step right in to lead our senior team,” concluded Sheta.

The Northern Virginia Royals face a challenging schedule of opponents in the Mid Atlantic Division in the upcoming season, including the Hampton Roads Piranhas and historical powerhouse Carolina Dynamo. The Royals will kick off their home season in May with a full schedule to be announced in late winter.