USL1 Richmond Kickers

Richmond Kickers Add Mike Keeney to Staff

Published on July 24, 2023 under United Soccer League One (USL1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, Va. - The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce Mike Keeney as the newest member of Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky's staff as the Player Development Manager. Keeney will start in his new role at the beginning of August.

As part of the partnership with Richmond United and the establishment of a full-player pathway in the RVA Community, Keeney's primary role in Richmond will be the U17 and U19 Head Coach for Richmond United, and he will further enhance the player development, college placement, and pro pathway pursuits for all players.

The youth-to-professional player development pathway in the United States is evolving at a rapid rate on both the men's and women's sides of the game. The addition of Mike Keeney reflects the RVA soccer community's commitment to evolving to keep pace and push the envelope to make sure the players in Richmond who want the professional pathway have the skill set and opportunity to chase that dream.

The goal of playing college soccer will remain intact as part of the pathway, but it may not be for those wishing to chase the professional dream earlier. With Keeney's experience coaching and his vast network in the college game, players from Richmond will truly have the opportunity to maximize their path, whether it leads to college, to pro, or to college and then pro.

Over the course of his 25-plus years of coaching, Keeney has enjoyed success with teams and individual players. Among his stints, he has coached at both the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, with a variety of professional clubs in the top division in Finland, Fluminense FC (Brazil)/STK Samorin (Slovakia), and most recently, with the IMG Academy.

Beyond his impressive record in individual player development and team success, Keeney is a United States Soccer Federation A Youth License Educator and he also holds a UEFA PRO License - the highest possible license of coaching - and he is certified as a UEFA A License Educator.

Mike Keeney said:

"I am looking forward to joining this fantastic project at Richmond United and with the Richmond Kickers. Working within a vertically integrated pathway [from youth to first team] allows coaches to focus on individual players within a team/club setting so players have the opportunity to develop to their full potential. Having worked in similar roles in Europe, I have seen just how successful this type of organizational model and club philosophy can be in a player's long-term development and overall success."

"I would like to thank Rob Ukrop, Darren Sawatzky and Mika Elovaara, and the Richmond United Executive Committee for this wonderful opportunity to join the RVA soccer community at an exciting time, and I look forward to working together with everyone there."

Darren Sawatzky, Richmond Kickers' Head Coach and Chief Sporting Officer said:

"We are working to unite the soccer community within the player pathway to help the local players reach the highest levels of the game in Richmond and beyond. A shared methodology, ideological approach, and ultimately, a shared culture across all teams within Richmond United to the professional men's team, and the new W-League team for the women, will mirror the successful player development pathways the world over. Mike Keeney brings a vast pedigree to this ambitious goal and we welcome his experience both with the youth players on their ascension and with the professional players looking to reach their potential."

Mika Elovaara, Richmond Kickers' Head Assistant Coach and Director of Methodology and Player Development said:

"Keeney will help enhance player development in both the Richmond United and the Richmond Kickers environments. Richmond United just had the most successful season ever as a club, and it is important that we do not become complacent. We have signed four Richmond United players to academy contracts this season, and we expect to add to that number somewhere in the near future. Mike will be in an important role to make this happen. Our program is about the people, and about providing the best possible day-to-day environment for all players while pursuing championships. Mike is one of the few American coaches who has had a sustainable career overseas, and we are thrilled that he wanted to join our staff and the project we have to make Richmond the model of player development."

Giovani Fernandes, FIFA Senior Coaching Development Manager said:

"With 25 years of managerial experience, Mike's diverse coaching skill set has enabled him to endure over 14 years of management at the professional level in European Football. Mike has demonstrated through his career he puts the team and players' needs ahead of himself. He has helped develop a number of players who have played for national teams and performed at the UEFA Nations League and FIFA World Cup. Mike has also been a driving influence on my personal and professional development."

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