RENO, NV: Marco Merlo – who has spent the last 20 years as the most successful coach in the Reno soccer community – has been named as both the Technical Director and Director of Methodology for Players North SC, President Randy Ritter announced on Friday.
“Marco Merlo is exactly the type of person and coach we were looking to bring into our program in order to compliment the best coaching staff in the area,” Ritter said. “His passion, energy and commitment to player development, has allowed him to develop and send more players to college than any other coach in Reno. That drive, determination and proven track record of success, is why we are so excited for the future of our club and for our community.”
Players SC Director of Coaching Jason Goodson, will work hand in hand in an equal capacity with Marco in the oversight of all club related soccer activities and projects and had the following to say about today’s announcement:
“This is an opportunity and a partnership that I’ve dreamed about since first arriving in Reno,” Goodson said.” “With the 2 most acknowledged coaches in Reno now working together, the only thing our club and community is limited by is our imagination. As a colleague, a peer and as a friend, I can’t begin to describe how decisive and momentous of an occasion this is. Marco will make himself an irreplaceable part of our club, just as he already has for the community. His wife and 2 children are some of the finest people I’ve ever met and we’re fortunate to be adding them to our new Players Nation!”
As a USSF A Licensed Coach with a wealth of knowledge and as the only US Soccer D Licensed Instructor in Reno, Marco will play a major role in the development of several new club programs and initiatives, none of which will be more important than that of Player and Coaching Education.
“I want to thank Randy, Jason and Director of Operations Rob Range for entrusting me with this opportunity. The magnitude of what lies ahead is not lost upon me and I can’t wait to begin providing for the community what has so desperately been lacking,” Merlo said. “I want to thank my wife and kids for their unending support during this process and although I leave behind the fondest of memories with families, players, coaches and friends, I look forward to my new journey and creating those same types of relationships and memories here with Players SC. For far too long, our community has chosen to build walls instead of bridges and those decisions have unfortunately been to the detriment of those we serve and who we’re supposed to care the most about. Well today, that changes. A new bridge has been built and it’s a bridge of hope, opportunity and belief. A belief that we can and will be better than what we have been in the past.”
The future is most definitely bright and the club will be introducing Marco to players and families this Sunday during the return of our 150+ Player Academy.
