Independence hires head coach

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Philadelphia Independence announced the selection of Paul Riley as the team's first head coach.

Originally from Liverpool, England, Riley has had a long career coaching men’s and women’s youth, college, and minor league soccer, including two National Championships (2006 and 2009) with the WPSL Long Island Fury.

“I am thrilled to be selected to coach this team," Riley said. "I have gotten to know the organization over the past few weeks by helping evaluate talent at the European Championships in Finland and am very impressed with the front office and the goals and objectives it has for 2010 and beyond.

"I am also very pleased to be working with Assistant Coaches Staci Wilson and Paul Royal in preparation for our season’s start next April. There are lots and lots of world-class players available out there, and we are going to do our absolute best to bring top talent to Philadelphia through the league’s draft process and deliver a product our fans and communities are proud to watch and support.”

Riley's career includes many honors and awards as both a player and a coach. He has earned honors such as A-League National Coach of the Year; New York Regional Coach of the Year; Umbro A-League All-Star Coach Selection; and 5-Time New York Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. As Head Coach of the CW Post Pioneers (Long Island University) from 1991-1997, he accumulated a record of 98-48-11. In addition, under Rileyl’s direction, his Albertson Soccer Club youth teams have won numerous New York State Championships and are considered some of the most dominant in the country.

As a player at Adelphi University, Riley was MVP in three of his four years there, and still holds school records for all-time leading points and assists. He continued his playing career after college with the Albany Capitals, New Jersey Eagles, and Long Island Rough Riders, where he was part of the National Championship teams in 1994 and 1995.

When he is not coaching, Riley runs the Paul Riley Soccer School, which hosts regular training camps and skill sessions for players of all ages.

“Paul Riley is the perfect ingredient for this franchise," general manager Terry Foley said. "He is a former standout player, distinguished youth club coach and executive, and two-time WPSL National Champion.

"Paul has coached players on the U.S. National Team and in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league over the course of his career and is well-respected for his knowledge of the game and his ability to find and use talent. I am impressed with Paul’s positive rapport with his players and ability to bring diverse talents and skills together for successful results on the field. He is a tremendous asset to this team, its incoming players, and this city.”

“We are very pleased to have Paul Riley join the ranks of our distinguished WPS coaches” added WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci. “Paul will complement the terrific organization that is being built in Philadelphia for the Independence fans and we congratulate him on this selection.”