Coaches Woods and LaBrocca Return With FC Monmouth In 2019
FC Monmouth is excited to announce that 2018 Coaches Brian Woods and Nick LaBrocca will be back in the 2019 season to lead the team into their second season in the NPSL.
“The coaching staff played a big role in our successful inaugural season.” said General Manager Jacco de Bruijn. “The way Coach Woods took charge forming a new team and creating a special bond among the players was very impressive and something the players responded well to. Combined with Coach LaBrocca’s attention to individual player development as players want to get to the professional level, we’re glad the coaching staff is back with us in 2019.”
Coaches Woods and LaBrocca joined FC Monmouth prior to the 2018 season, leading the club to the Conference Playoffs thanks to a 6-3-1 (W-L-T) record and remaining unbeaten at home. The team won some individual awards with FC Monmouth defender Thomas Judge (James Madison University), midfielder George Akampeke (Monmouth University), and forward Jordan Saling (Wilmington University) having been selected in the National Premier Soccer League’s 2018 Keystone Conference XI. On top of that, Judge was also named in the 2018 NPSL National XI.
The first step towards a competitive team in 2019 is FC Monmouth holding an Open Tryout for talented local players. On Sunday January 20th at Count Basie Park in Red Bank any players that register can try and become part of the 2019 squad. Learn more about the 2018 team and the accomplishments in our inaugural season.
In addition to Coaches Woods and LaBrocca FC Monmouth is also glad we continue to work with John Killick and Joey DiCamillo who in 2018 supported the coaching staff throughout practices and games, and in 2019 will step up to take a more prominent role within the organization.
Brian Woods, former New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Coach of the Year, finished his 27th season as William Paterson University’s men’s soccer head coach in 2018. In addition to coaching the men’s program, Woods also founded the William Paterson women’s soccer program as a club sport and guided it through its first three varsity seasons. Besides his work with the Pioneers, Brian is a ECNL Academy Coach for Match Fit Academy.
Nick LaBrocca, born and raised in Monmouth County playing high school soccer at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft before going on to having a three time All-Big East career at Rutgers University, finished his professional soccer career in 2016 with Chicago Fire. Selected by Colorado Rapids in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, LaBrocca played over 250 MLS games with Colorado Rapids, Toronto FC, Chivas USA and Chicago Fire. LaBrocca also played in the 2011 MLS All-Star Game against Manchester United and received one call up to the senior US men's national team camp ahead of a World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala. LaBrocca now coaches for Cedar Stars Academy and Jackson Soccer Club.