-- For Immediate Release --

BENTONVILLE (AR) – Sporting Arkansas Soccer Club, an official Academy Affiliate of Major League Soccer professional club Sporting Kansas City, is excited to welcome Ryan Williams as its new Associate Director of Coaching. Williams will leverage his notable experience as a professional player and college coach to lead club-wide programming, aiming to elevate the club’s operations and player development strategies. 

In 2020, Williams retired from professional soccer after a distinguished playing career that included 31 appearances with USL Championship side New Mexico United and three seasons with Charlotte Eagles of USL League 2, during which he served as the captain of the USL League 2 side. During his time in Charlotte, the Eagles won the USL National Championship, and Williams was named MVP of that National Championship match. Most recently, Williams served as men’s assistant coach for John Brown University, his alma mater. In that role, Williams was responsible for training session design and implementation, match day prep, player development, and on-field coaching responsibilities.

Williams youth playing career saw him begin his development under legendary Hawaiian coach Aryen Hoxha at Hawaii Rush. At age 15, Williams made the decision to leave home in Hawaii to join the Colorado Rush Development Academy where he played in the USSF DA under several high-level coaches, including Sean Bushey (current director of Shattuck St Mary's MLS Next program), Erik Bushey (current Head Coach of Colorado Rapids 2 MLS Next Pro), and Tim Schulz (Founder of Rush Soccer, the world's largest youth soccer club).

In his new role at Sporting Arkansas, Williams is tasked with spearheading the development and execution of club-wide programming. This includes overseeing Sporting Arkansas’ region-leading Individual Development Program (IDP), clubwide Functional Training sessions, Speed-Agility-Quickness (SAQ) training, Finishing School, and organizing the club’s free weekly pickup and small-sided games (SSG). He will also direct the club's Berraco off-season training programs, which includes both Summer and Winter sessions that serve more than 500 players from NWA and surrounding areas. Williams will also coach teams during the 2024-25 season- the specific teams are still to be determined. This spring, he will work closely with teams from the club's 2012 and 2013 boys age groups.

Williams will also take on a role in club operations, managing field schedules for training and games at the club's home facility, Sugar Creek Soccer Park in Bentonville/Bella Vista.  

Williams will be pivotal in ensuring that Sporting Arkansas continues to provide comprehensive, high-quality soccer education and development opportunities to its athletes, and his appointment reflects Sporting Arkansas Soccer Club’s continued commitment to excellence and innovation in youth soccer training and development. 

Scott Marksberry, Director of Coaching for Sporting Arkansas said: “I’ve known Ryan since I went to recruit one of his teammates from Colorado Rush's Development Academy team back in 2013. Within the first 10 minutes of the game, Ryan's match intelligence, comfort on the ball, and competitive drive set him apart from every other player on the field, and he immediately became our top recruiting target for his grad class. Coach Ryan is passionate about the game, passionate about player development, and truly has a brilliant soccer mind. But most importantly, he has the character, competitiveness, and committment to servant leadership that we want as a model for our players. I can’t think of anyone better suited to lead our club's player development programming and help us push soccer in NWA to the next level.”

About Sporting Arkansas Soccer Club 

Founded in 1998 and based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Sporting Arkansas Soccer Club is the premier player development club in NW Arkansas and an Official Academy Affiliate of Sporting Kansas City. The club is dedicated to developing athletes’ skills, character, and love for the game by providing professional coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, and a nurturing environment. With a focus on excellence and sportsmanship, Sporting Arkansas is committed to helping players reach their full potential both on and off the field. For more information, visit www.sportingarkansas.com or follow the club on social media @SportingArkansas. 

For more information, contact: Scott Marksberry, Director of Coaching,  coachmarksberry@sportingarkansas.com

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