In Spring 2020 ASA is excited to unveil the top tier of our player progression pyramid with a pre-professional program, ASA Reds. This team will provide a high level avenue for players and will allow members of the community to stay connected to the club into adulthood. It will also provide a pathway for those players who do not have their sights set on college or who have graduated from college.
ASA Reds will draw directly from the ASA Reds U23 team, with U23 and high performing youth Academy players gaining first team experience when applicable.
“The addition of professional level teams to ASA and Alexandria are an incredible asset to our community. ASA Reds will be a platform for youth players to further grow their passion for the sport by watching high level soccer right in the City of Alexandria. Additionally the team provides a fantastic venue for players to continue competing for ASA into their adult years,” said ASA Executive Director Tommy Park.
ASA Reds will compete in various national competitions including the Rowland (US Open Cup) and Stewart (US Amateur Cup) cup titles. In the fall and spring Reds will compete in the Washington Premier League (WPL), a sanctioned USASA Elite Amateur League (12 week season). The WPL is regarded as the DMV’s top league outside MLS and includes regional powerhouses as well as current and former MLS, USL and NASL players.
As the WPL schedule is finalized we’ll be publicizing information about home games where we plan to create a fun and family friendly atmosphere in support of the team (World Cup walkouts, giveaways, concessions and more!).
The team staff will include Will Hanna as head coach, Tim Lenzo as manager and assistant coach, Ryan Alexander as director of strategy and lead scout and Tommy Park as team president. Reds Tryouts are open to any players ages 19 and over (ASA Academy players are eligible on an invite only basis — please contact Coach Will with questions).
“The growth of Alexandria Soccer in both size and quality presented a need for players to access the next level of development,” said manager and assistant, Tim Lenzo. “The WPL offers one of the highest levels of competition I have seen outside of my playing days at Marshall University,” said head coach Will Hanna. “The training and competitive game environment creates a unique opportunity for ambitious players to continue developing and pursuing a career as a full time professional player. I am grateful for the opportunity Alexandria has given to me to coach this team and excited to push our players to reach their maximum potential.”
Tryouts are free and open to the public but potential players must register. Lenzo said, “I am excited by the players’ in our current player pool, in addition to those who have expressed interest thus far, and excitement is growing.”
Tryout dates:
- March 19 | Witter Field | 8:30–10pm
- March 22 | Limerick Field | 8:00–10pm
- March 24 | Witter Field | 8:30–10pm
Tryouts for ASA’s U23 team will take place later this spring (dates TBD in May). The U23 team will compete in the CCL Pro 23 League again this summer.
