FC Alliance Hires Sky Rosario

FC Alliance Announces Massive Additions to Build New Recreational Program

 

For the better part of a decade, FC Alliance has offered recreational soccer under the wing of the wildly successful ESL program, currently run by Caleb Lucas. Lucas has grown all aspects of the program tremendously. Due to this growth, FC Alliance decided this winter to form a stand-alone recreational program. To do so, quality and experienced leadership was needed. And the club delivered. FC Alliance has officially hired Skye Rosario, the director of One Knox’s Monsters program, and Chris Stanley, the assistant director, to run FC Alliance Recreational.

 

This is a massive hire for FC Alliance. The duo built a great program at One Knox, and their experience will allow them to work in tandem with ESL and Caleb Lucas to provide a broad structure for every level of soccer. They have big dreams at FC Alliance, and the club will provide them the platform and resources to reach them. This includes opening up satellite sites throughout the East Tennessee area, expanding recreation soccer to older ages, and having a dedicated staff for the program.

 

“We are so happy and grateful that Sky and Chris are joining us,” said Jon Schneider, FC Alliance’s Executive Director. “They have done an excellent job with recreational soccer in Knoxville. They’re both energetic and personable. We really look forward to them elevating our club.”

 

Rosario, a native of Puerto Rico, has a lifetime of soccer driving his love of the game. He grew up playing the sport, and his career led him to both college and semi-pro soccer. Although he was an outstanding soccer player, for a period of time he diverted his career to music production, as he went to Full Sail University on a music scholarship. When he moved to Knoxville, he did so as a teacher at Knoxville Christian. However, soccer was his true passion, so he eventually took a job with One Knox, where he lead a fast growing rec program.

 

Stanley, a native of Honduras, remembers falling in love with the game watching the 1994 World Cup as a young boy. Seven years later, he had a cousin play for Honduras in the 2001 Copa America tournament. From there, it was a family affair. Stanley would go on to play semiprofessional soccer before going into coaching. He eventually landed in Knoxville, where not only did he help Rosario grow the Monsters program, he also coached U12 and U15 competitive teams.

 

When speaking to both, the similarities make it obvious why they work so well as a team. They both cite technical skill, growing a passion for the game, and using sport to help with life lessons as the foundation of their coaching styles. And they both believe anyone can become a great player, not just the biggest and strongest.

 

“As we build the recreational program, we are going to focus on things like coordination,” Rosario pointed out, “We want to help set the foundation for the ability to be skillful. We are going to focus on cognitive growth. Things players really need for growth in the game.”

 

“And growing confidence,” Stanley added. “A player needs to love working with a ball, using all parts of their feet, and trusting their ability with it. Mistakes are okay- learning how to work out from mistakes is important. We need to help them develop that confidence.”

 

“Keep in mind,” Rosario said, “Everyone started somewhere. Maradona wasn’t very big; Messi wasn’t very big. Everyone needs a chance and that is our goal.”

 

This is the type of detail which truly elevates a program. Especially a recreational program which provides a platform for every level of athlete.

 

“We are really looking forward to them getting started,” Director of Coaching Josh Gray said. “They were by far our top candidates, and this a great step forward for our club.”

 

In his downtime, Rosario enjoys spending time with his wife Molly and their two children: a year-old-boy and a one-month-old daughter. Same for Stanley, as he and his partner Kathryn have a household of two boys, and they are expecting a third this summer.

 

More information is coming soon about the FC Alliance Recreational Program and ESL, which has been renamed FC Alliance Academy.