Ken Krieger leaving Prince William for McLean after decades of success

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Prince William Soccer, Inc. is bidding a fond farewell to longtime coach and Technical Director of Coaching Ken Krieger, as he departs the club to join McLean Youth Soccer after nearly three decades of successful leadership both on and off the field.

A passionate teacher of the game who led teams of many ages to state, regional and national championships throughout his impressive coaching career, Krieger has excelled at the youth, high school and collegiate levels and played a major role in PWSI’s enormous growth over the past decade.

“Ken has served this club for almost 25 years, beginning as a dad coaching in our recreational program and climbing all the way up to the technical director post he accepted in 2002,” said PWSI Executive Director Mike Yeatts. “He has influenced countless players and coaches at our club and his commitment to excellence has set a standard for all of us to follow.

“We are grateful that he made PWSI his home, and wish him all the best in his new post at McLean Youth Soccer.”

Krieger’s accomplishments are numerous. He led PWSI teams to the US Youth Soccer National Championship semifinals in 1996 and the final in 2000, and his teams have won 15 Virginia State Cups over the years. As the boys soccer coach at C.D. Hylton High School he won two NSCAA Division I High School national championships and two regional championships, and with an overall record of 386-191-39, logged the most wins by a Virginia High School League boys soccer coach.

Over the years he also served as head coach at Hartford College, an assistant coach at American University and George Mason University, a US Youth Soccer Region 1 and Virginia Youth Soccer Association ODP (Olympic Development Program) staff coach and held prominent positions in the youth programs of professional clubs D.C. United and the Washington Freedom.

He holds a U.S. Soccer Federation “A” coaching license and an NSCAA Director of Coaching diploma, and was inducted into the VYSA Hall of Fame in 2010. One of his most successful pupils is his own daughter Ali, a standout professional player with the Washington Spirit and the U.S. Women’s National Team.

“Ken’s record is unsurpassed in U.S. soccer,” said Yeatts, “but his greatest legacy is his ability to inspire those around him to reach their full potential, in soccer and in life.”

Krieger will be succeeded by Mike Cullina, who steps up from PWSI’s Boys Director of Coaching position. Cullina joined PWSI last year after a successful stint at respected club Ohio Elite Soccer Academy.

“It’s difficult to say goodbye to Ken, but we feel very confident in the leadership structure he helped build,” said Yeatts. “Mike Cullina has proven in his short time here that he possesses the ability to lead us into a new era.”

Cullina will assume his new duties on March 1.