Bill Becher Adds GM Title to Head Coaching Duties
Published on February 9, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA - The City Islanders have announced that Bill Becher, the only coach the City Islanders have ever known, has now added General Manager to his list of titles.
As General Manager of the Islanders, in addition to his responsibilities as Head Coach, Becher will oversee team operations while providing ongoing direction for the club on and off the field.
"Adding to Bill Becher's responsibilities only shows how much we value him as not only our Head Coach but also as a manager of this club," said City Islanders President Roy Mehl. "Bill has shown this organization, the United Soccer League, his fellow coaches and players his notorious ability to put together a competitive team year after year."
Becher enters the 2016 United Soccer League (USL) season with an impressive 125-94-59 career regular season record. His trophy case includes the 2011 USL PRO National Division Title, the 2007 USL-2 Championship Trophy, and the 2005 USL-2 Coach of the Year Award.
As the club's only head coach since the team was founded in 2004, Becher has developed a reputation of producing teams that have constantly contended for championships. Under his leadership, the Islanders have reached the post season nine out of twelve seasons.
From day one, Becher's effective coaching style and a host of connections built over a lifetime in the soccer world helped make the City Islanders a contender. He and his staff have brought a diverse collection of veterans, rookies, local products and capped internationals to Harrisburg. In addition to their league success, the City Islanders have proven themselves capable of beating Major League Soccer (MLS) squads. The City Islanders have beaten MLS teams in U.S. Open Cup competition five times: D.C. United in 2007, New England Revolution in 2009, New York Red Bulls in 2010, and two wins in 2012 over New England and New York and have reached the quarter-finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament on four occasions.
Becher's reputation of developing young talent is one that has inspired the club's success and has set apart the City Islanders organization in a continually growing league representing the largest markets in the United States and Canada.
"We have consistently been one of the younger teams in the league and that is by design. We know there are many quality players out there that just need a chance to prove themselves," Becher said. "Our goals each year is to put ourselves in position to win a Championship and to see some of our players move on to the next level whether that is in the MLS or overseas."
Under Becher, the Islanders have sent ten players to the MLS including Bilal Duckett (New England Revolution), Sheanon Williams (Houston Dynamo), Tiyi Shipalane (D.C. United ), J.T.Noone (Philadelphia Union), Yann Ekra (Philadelphia Union) Morgan Langley (Philadelphia Union), Tyler Rutherven (NY Red Bulls), Jose Angulo (New York Red Bulls), Andrew Ribiero (Chivas USA) and Chase Harrison (Philadelphia Union).
Others have found success overseas including Morgan Langley (St. Patrick's Athletic), Clésio Bauque (SL Benfica), Ciaran Nugent (Sligo Rovers) and Enric Valles (Sandefjord Football).
Becher brought decades of playing experience to his first professional head coaching job. After winning a national title with Sagamon State University in 1986, the St. Louis native enjoyed an acclaimed and lengthy professional career in the MISL (formerly the AISA and NPSL), scoring 280 goals and assisting on 254 others in 458 games. Becher spent the bulk of his indoor years with the Harrisburg Heat, with whom he notched 227 goals and 209 assists in 315 games from 1991-99 and served as the team's captain from 1997-99.
The City Islanders' ownership, front office staff, fellow coaches and players congratulate and thank Coach Bill Becher for his success and sacrifice that has allowed this club to continue to stay competitive and progressive in an increasingly competitive league.
Coach Becher and the Islanders kickoff the official 2016 Season Sat., March in Richmond and home opener Sat., April 22 against Louisville FC. For further information regarding the City Islanders, please contact 717-441-4625 or visit online at www.cityislanders.com.
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