CLEVELAND— Cleveland Soccer Club has found its manager.
Cleveland SC today named Ryan “Ozzy” Osborne, assistant men’s coach at Notre Dame College, as the club’s first head coach in advance of the 2018 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) season.
Osborne has served in his assistant coach role at Notre Dame College since 2016, where he also serves as recruiting coordinator. Osborne has also served as developmental academy coach at Internationals Soccer Club since August 2016.
Originally from Wakefield, England, Osborne started his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Charleston. As a graduate assistant at UC, Osborne started the first ever UC-Beckley men’s soccer program in the fall of 2014. Prior to his coaching experience at UC, Osborne was also a star player for the Golden Eagles, winning four consecutive WVIAC titles and leading the team in assists in 2011.
Osborne’s post-graduate coaching career was spent as assistant men’s soccer coach at Marietta College, where he helped the program reach back-to-back playoff appearances in 2014 and 2015. Osborne also spent one season as a player for the West Virginia Chaos, whom he helped reach a club-best PDL Elite Eight appearance in 2014.
“Osborne is the perfect choice to lead our team given his previous work identifying talent, developing youth players and having an immediate, positive impact on the clubs he joins,” said Cleveland SC president Sam Seibert. “Osborne is a true student of the game, and we’re excited to see his ideas play out on the field this summer.”
Coach Osborne is glad to coach in Cleveland and looks to construct a competitive roster in time for the 2018 NPSL season.
“I am very excited to be named the first ever Cleveland SC head coach,” said Osborne. “I look forward to getting to work, finalizing our squad for the season and working hand in hand with Sam to help provide a team with longevity that the Cleveland area can be proud of.”
Cleveland SC begins its inaugural season this summer in the NPSL’s Midwest East Conference, competing against classic Cleveland foes like Erie Commodores FC, FC Buffalo and Fort Pitt Regiment.
Veteran leader Dec McGivern said that the team’s new coach has the attitude of the team.
“The players can expect a hardworking, organized and committed coach who will do everything he can to put us in positions to succeed and win games,” he said. “We have a team full of guys who want to win, and Ryan is no different. I think he’ll create a structured, professional environment that the guys will enjoy.”
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