FC Copa Announces Staffing For USL Academy

---

Current FC Copa Directors Billy Englishby and Andrew Santos

Appointed To Lead USL Academy Efforts

METUCHEN, NJ - FC Copa Academy announced today the addition of Billy Englishby and Andrew Santos to direct their USL Academy teams, which begin play later this year. With their appointments, Englishby will serve as FC Copa’s USL Academy Director and Santos has been named USL Academy Assistant Director.

“We are thrilled to appoint these two senior members of our staff to lead us as founding members of the USL Academy,” said FC Copa Academy President and Founder Roberto Aguas. “Billy and Andrew are two of the premier coaches in our region, and have an expert understanding of our players throughout all levels of FC Copa. Their dedication to achievement and unique understanding of our culture will undoubtedly create a seamless launch of our USL Academy boys teams this year.”

Englishby serves as Boys Technical Director and has been with FC Copa Academy for the past four years. Englishby has worked with FC Copa Executive Director of Coaching Roberto Aguas to administer the academy’s unified curriculum, oversees coaching education and most recently has worked to define and implement an updated “play model” for the academy. He has also overseen the coaching duties of a number of its teams, leading the 2020 U18/U19 class to the #1 ranking in the State of New Jersey. Prior to joining FC Copa, Englishby amassed over fourteen years of coaching experience at the youth level and, more recently, at Division I men’s programs at Drexel and Campbell Universities. As a player, Englishby was the starting goalkeeper and team captain for Campbell University. Coach Englishby is completing his USSF A License and currently holds a USSF B, United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and Sports Management from Campbell University.

“FC Copa Academy continues to grow in size and stature every year, and the recent addition of our USL League Two and USL Academy Teams is merely another example of the dedication and success of our Club,” said Englishby. “We have seen an incredible amount of interest through player inquiries and two weeks of tryouts already conducted, and we are confident that the pieces are in place to have a successful year one and beyond.”

Andrew Santos is an FC Copa legacy having been with the club for thirteen years as a player, coach and director. Last year Santos was named to EDP’s Promising Young Coaches Under 30 List, recognizing thirty coaches participating in EDP Soccer leagues for their hard work, dedication and ability to develop players and teams.

In addition to serving as an Academy Coach, he is FC Copa’s Director of Operations and Director of Futsal Academy. Santos attended John F. Kennedy Memorial High School, where he played four years at the varsity level and was named captain of the team his junior and senior year. He graduated from Manhattan College after playing four years of Division I college soccer, earning the team's Most Valuable Player of the Year Award for the 2014 season. He rounded out his playing career with New Jersey Copa FC’s NPSL team. Coach Andrew has led multiple teams at FC Copa to a Top Five State Ranking. Santos is completing his USSF C License.

“I’ve been a part of FC Copa since I was a youth player, and the Academy has given me a special opportunity to grow as a player as well as in my coaching and professional life,” said Santos. “Playing in the USL Academy will provide an additional layer for our players to represent the FC Copa badge against some of the best competition in the region.”

In addition to competing as a Founding Member of the USL Academy this year, New Jersey Copa FC is scheduled to begin its inaugural preprofessional season in USL League Two in May.

For information about FC Copa’s USL Academy Tryouts, visit www.fccopa.com/usltryouts

For more information, visit www.fccopa.com

Follow @FCCopa and @NJCopaFC on social media.