LOUISVILLE, Ky.– The River City Rovers announced today that it has named Tyrone Marshall the new head coach of its PDL team. The former MLS all-star, HVFC and Jamaican international will lead the fourth-year franchise as it looks to grow and improve in 2014.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to join the Rovers organization,” said Marshall. “The potential for soccer in Louisville is tremendous and the vision Rovers has outlined for the future is something I wanted to be a part of.”
Marshall had a decorated career in MLS spanning 15 years and over 350 games with five teams, winning two MLS Cups (2002, 2005 LA Galaxy), three Lamar Hunt US Open Cups (2005 LA; 2009, 2010 Seattle), alongside being selected to two MLS All-Star games. Marshall also has over 12 caps for HVFC while on Loan from the MLS in 1996-97, plus 80 career appearances with the Jamaican National Team, including numerous appearances in World Cup Qualifying, tallying five career goals in the process.
“Tyrone’s playing career speaks for itself,” said Rovers President and GM Nathan Pitcock. “His playing experience will be an invaluable asset for players at the PDL level, as he knows exactly what it takes to make it at the highest level.”
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Marshall and his family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fl. when he was 14 years old. His journey next took him to Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky., where he played from 1994-95, winning an NAIA National Championship in ’95. Marshall then transferred to Florida International University where he played from 1996-97 before joining MLS.
After retiring from the Colorado Rapids in 2012, Marshall moved back to Kentucky where his wife Cari is from and finished his degree at Lindsey Wilson while coaching with the men’s team as a graduate assistant.
Marshall currently holds a USSF “A” License and in addition to his duties as Rovers PDL head coach, he will also be working with the Rovers Youth Academy.
“Being able to have Tyrone work with both the youth and the PDL side will help us immensely by ensuring there’s consistency across the entire club in terms of our style of play and coaching methods. This consistency is an essential part of the Rovers identity,” said Pitcock.
Stay tuned to roverssoccer.com and Rovers Twitter (@ROVERSSOCCER) and Facebook page (facebook.com/RiverCityRovers) for more exciting news to come and some upcoming features with our new coach!
About River City Rovers:
The River City Rovers are a fourth year soccer organization in Louisville, KY that consists of a senior team (PDL) and a youth club. The senior team competes in United Soccer League’s Premier Development League. It has has been home to three MLS draft picks in its first three seasons, including the first overall pick in the 2013 draft, Andrew Farrell of the New England Revolution.
The youth club, Rovers Youth Academy, is the premier youth club in the state of Kentucky; competing regionally and nationally in top leagues including US Club Soccer’s National Premier League and the Midwest Regional League, as well as some the top college showcases tournaments in the country including the Disney Showcase, Jefferson Cup, IMG Cup, and the Blue Chip Showcase.
About Premier Development League (PDL):
The top developmental men’s soccer league in North America, the 2013 PDL featured 64 teams within four conferences throughout the United States and Canada. The PDL season runs from May through July, consists of 14 regular season matches for each team, seven home and seven away, and provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world.