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The Washington Spirit announced today that German Peri takes the head coaching reins for the Spirit Reserves W-League team for the 2014 season. Following a Final Four playoff run at the helm of Spirit Reserves squad last year, the Washington front office was equally pleased to confirm that JP Sousa will remain with the program to assist Peri this season.
Recently, Peri returned from a guest coaching stint in Florida at the Major League Soccer combine. Currently, Peri is also the Director of Coaching for Arlington Soccer Association.
As a youth coach, Peri boasts 17 separate Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) State Cup championships with both boys and girls teams. The Northern Virginia native also earned three regional titles and two national finalist finishes in his career, as well as led D.C. United’s U20 team in 2008.
“The excitement of working with the top caliber players in the W-League to advance both the professional first team Spirit and the future of women’s soccer is tremendous,” commented head coach Peri. “The opportunities to gain experience for both our players and myself to build the program and club are incredible.”
“The Spirit Reserves will implement a mirrored program with the pro team to facilitate both player movement into the upper ranks and the overall club philosophy,” continued Peri.
After taking over the head coaching position vacated by the ascension of Parsons to the pro team, former Super 20 leader Sousa steered the successful reserve squad through the postseason and into the W-League Championship tournament. After ousting regular season front-runner Virginia Beach Piranhas, the Spirit Reserves fell 3-2 in overtime to eventual champion Pali Blues.
“Having both German and JP leading our reserve side is a coup as far as any soccer manager would be concerned,” commented Reserves general manager Tim Schweitzer. “The player development track record both of these coaches bring to the table are unheralded in the W-League.”
“I cannot imagine a better situation in providing a straight path for our players into the professional ranks,” beamed Schweitzer.
The Washington Spirit Reserves face a challenging schedule of opponents in the Northeast Conference for the season, which include historic playoff contenders Long Island Rough Riders and W-League veterans New York Magic.
The Spirit Reserves kick off their season Saturday, May 17th against the Braddock Road Stars Elite.
