Washington Spirit Reserves News Release - www.washingtonspirit.com
Monday, February 17, 2014
BOYDS, Md. – The Washington Spirit announced that German Peri will take the head coaching reins for the Spirit Reserves W-League team for the 2014 season. Following a Final Four playoff run at the helm of Spirit Reserves squad last year, the Washington front office was equally pleased to confirm that JP Sousa will remain with the program to assist Peri this season.
A familiar name to Washington Spirit fans, Peri served as assistant coach to the NWSL professional Spirit team as part of Mike Jorden’s inaugural staff. Recently, Peri returned from a guest-coaching stint in Florida at the Major League Soccer combine.
As a youth coach, Peri boasts 17 separate Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) State Cup championships with both boys and girls teams. The Northern Virginia native also earned three regional titles and two national finalist finishes in his career, as well as led D.C. United’s U20 team in 2008.
In addition to moving into the W-League coaching ranks, Peri will also share duties as an assistant on the coaching staff for the senior Spirit professional side under NWSL head coach Mark Parsons.
Currently, Peri is also the Director of Coaching for Arlington Soccer Association.
“The excitement of working with the top caliber players in the W-League to advance both the professional first team Spirit and the future of women’s soccer is tremendous,” commented head coach Peri. “The experience opportunities for both our players and myself to build the program and club are incredible.
“I was fortunate enough to be given the initial opportunity under Mike Jorden. Working alongside Mark [Parsons], the Spirit Reserves will implement a mirrored program with the pro team to facilitate both player movement into the upper ranks and the overall club philosophy.”
After taking over the head coaching position vacated by the ascension of Parsons to the pro team, former Super-20 leader Sousa steered the successful reserve squad through the postseason and into the W-League Championship tournament in 2013. After ousting the regular season front-runner Virginia Beach Piranhas, the Spirit Reserves fell 3-2 in overtime to eventual champion Pali Blues.
“Having both German and JP leading our reserve side is a coup as far as any soccer manager would be concerned,” Reserves Director Tim Schweitzer said. “The player development track record both of these coaches bring to the table combined with working directly with Mark and the pro side are unheralded in the W-League.
“I cannot imagine a better situation in providing a straight path for our players into the professional ranks,” Schweitzer beamed.
The Washington Spirit Reserves face a challenging schedule of opponents in the Northeast Conference this season, including historic playoff contenders the Long Island Rough Riders and W-League veterans the New York Magic.
The Spirit Reserves kick off their season Saturday, May 17 against the Braddock Road Stars Elite at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Match time is currently slated for 3 p.m. and is the first match of a special doubleheader with the Washington Spirit professional side. The Spirit take on Abby Wambach and the Western New York Flash at 6:30 p.m.