David “Mac” Phillips joins SOCA as Coordinator of Challenge Program and staff coach for Skyline Elite.

The Soccer Organization of the Charlottesville Area has hired David “Mac” Phillips as the club’s Challenge Program Coordinator.  Mac will lead SOCA’s innovative Advanced Recreational Program, overseeing a league with more than 50 teams, U10-U15, boys and girls.  In addition to his role as Challenge Coordinator, Mac will co-coordinate the Winter Indoor Soccer League in the SOCA Fieldhouse and serve as head coach for two Skyline Elite Girls teams in Fall 2025.

Phillips comes to SOCA by way of FC Richmond where he served as their Assistant Director of Coaching and Director of Goalkeeping.  In that role he was involved in the management of over 35 travel teams in 4 different leagues while actively coaching multiple FC Richmond teams.  Additionally, he founded and managed FC Richmond’s Advanced Development Program and constructed the club’s first ever game model, formalizing the “FC Richmond approach” while standardizing a club-wide process for Individual Development Plans.  Prior to FC Richmond, Phillips served as the Assistant Coach at Hampden-Sydney College for three years and was a four-year Division 1 player at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg.  He is completing his USSF B License this spring and holds the USC Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma.

SOCA’s Challenge Program is an essential step in SOCA’s player development pyramid.  Classified as an Advanced Recreational Program, players must participate in a player placement process to earn a position in the program based upon merit, but training and games are local unlike a travel program.  Teams are balanced by talent with geographic consideration to create meaningful and competitive games each weekend.  The elevated developmental platform provides an essential step between SOCA’s Recreational and Travel Programs and is unique to the club.  Challenge represents the highest level of play available in Charlottesville for the U10 age group.

You may welcome Mac to his new position at his email address:  [email protected].

New SOCA Challenge Coordinator, Mac Phillips said:

I am extremely thankful to have the opportunity to make an impact in the Charlottesville area. Thank you, Matt and Andy, for entrusting me to oversee the Challenge Program. I am excited to help guide coaches and promote the development of our youth through sport. Also, I would like to thank Ashley and Jimmy for giving me the ability to coach on a national platform, while representing Skyline Elite Soccer Club and SOCA. I am ready to get to work, and I can’t wait to learn more about the families and communities we serve.

I would also like to thank FC Richmond, without the guidance of Trip Ellis and Trip Dunville and their willingness to promote my personal growth I would not be in this position.

Executive Director of the Virginia Soccer Alliance, Matt Wilson said:

“Mac is a great fit for our club.  His experience with FC Richmond gives him valuable insight into youth soccer club culture and best practices, and his college playing and coaching experience will be a tremendous asset as well.  I’m excited to welcome him to Charlottesville.  I know our players and coaches will benefit from his energy, ideas and fun personality.”