Soccer springs closer to home

Rocky high fives Andrew Hinson at the Rocket City United press conference held March 2 at the Madison YMCA.

Rocket City United has a new head coach.

Coach Gerry Cleary from Dublin, Ireland has signed on with the Eagles.

Cleary formerly coached collegiate soccer at Martin Methodist College and Christian Brothers University.

During his time as a collegiate coach, he won 12 conference championships, according to Andy Zorovich, president of Rocket City United. 

Cleary said the secret to the team’s success will be recruiting players.

“If you want to be a good coach, you get good players,” Cleary said. “If you want to be a great coach, you get great players.”

The Eagles also announced a partnership with the Madison YMCA soccer league.

“We really want to have a local impact on our community,” Zorovich said.

They will host coaching clinics to help develop local coaches and camps to develop skills in children of all ages.

“We’re really excited about our partnership with Rocket City United,” said YMCA Director Steve Shives. “Having experience from Rocket City United come and develop our kids is just essential.”

Rocket City United will also partner with the Madison Chamber of Commerce for their Business After Hours at 5 p.m. on May 5 for SoccerFest at the YMCA.

The community will have the opportunity to meet the players and watch them train.

The Eagles have also released their 2011 schedule. Home games will be played at 7:30 p.m. at the Madison City Schools Stadium.

The 2011 Schedule:

– May 7 at Knoxville

-May 14 home vs. Knoxville

-June 4 home vs. Atlanta

-June 11 home vs. Chattanooga

-June 18 at Chattanooga

-June 25 at Georgia

-July 2 at Atlanta

-July 16 home vs. Georgia

– July 28-30 NPSL Final Four and All-Star Game

Season tickets are $50 for adults, $35 for children. For ordering information, visit www.rocketcityunited.com.

Rocket City United President Andy Zorovich announced Gerry Cleary as the new head coach.