Sawatzky: 鈥榃e are working to further unite the community through the Richmond Kickers pro team鈥�
RICHMOND, Va. — Darren Sawatzky is the Richmond Kickers Chief Soccer Officer and Head Coach. He moved to Richmond in January 2020 and is currently coaching his second professional season here in Richmond. Darren was a nine-year professional player after playing college soccer for four years at the University of Portland. He has played for the New England Revolution (MLS), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Seattle Sounders (USL/MLS), and Portland Timbers (USL/MLS).
Darren has been coaching for over 30 years and holds a USSF A License and UEFA A French Formation License. Before moving to Richmond, Darren was the Youth Development Director for the Seattle Sounders, the head coach for the Sounders U23 team, the head coach for the Guam National Team, and he coached FC Tucson in USL League One.
Darren stated, 鈥淲e are working to further unite the community in Richmond through the Richmond Kickers pro soccer team and bringing people together from all walks of life to enjoy the game together. We missed the final in 2020 by one game and we are in the playoff hunt in 2021, but our most important goal is to be a community asset for all of Richmond. Rob Ukrop was my roommate with the New England Revolution in 1996 and it is great to be reunited with both Rob and the Ukrop family here in Richmond. The Ukrop’s do so much for the community and I am happy to be part of that. Rob is spearheading a soccer ball collection for the Afghan refugees and we are already on our way to getting a lot of equipment.鈥�
The Richmond Kickers won a U.S. Open Cup in the past along with a couple of USL championships at different levels. 鈥淲e are working to bring that winning culture back to Richmond and we are working every day toward that goal while also recognizing that people need unifying opportunities, especially over the past few years,鈥� said Darren. 鈥淲e want to be that for the community here. Come enjoy a cold beverage and talk with people you don’t normally have in your circle while watching your local pro soccer team. Our goal is to win as many games as possible and to sustain that winning culture. We understand that this takes time to develop and cultivate, so we are setting the foundation for years to come and with that comes bumps in the road. In 2020 we shot out of the gate with a new team and staff. For 2021 and beyond, we are working to sustain the high level for years to come.鈥� The Kickers season ends in mid-November but they start training again in early February.
In 2012, The Sounders U23 team won the first of two Western Conference Championship in USL League 2. From that team, many players were developed that are still playing professional soccer in the highest leagues in the United States and around the world. 鈥淚t is amazing to watch these players grow as people and have success,鈥� stated Darren. 鈥淟ife lessons show up every day and pro soccer locker rooms are microcosms of most of what is happening in the world. We are proud to be very diverse, with different political affiliations, different religious views, and many opinions. We relish this and work to use all of these great backgrounds for common goals within our team.鈥�
Developing and maintaining relationships that stand the test of time is the best part of working as a coach shared Darren. He expressed, 鈥淚 want players to call me to go to lunch many years down the road. To win together brings out so much of who people are and what they are willing to do together. Every day is an opportunity to be the best version of yourself, don’t allow anyone else to take that from you.鈥�
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