AFC Cleveland of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is proud to announce that Carter Poe has been named their new head coach.
“We are excited to have Carter as our head coach,” AFC Cleveland CEO/President Terry Lawriw commented. “We would like to thank both Andy Hoggarth and Aaron McGuiness for leading our team over the first three years. They built a strong foundation for the club on and off the field and we are confident that Carter can carry on that tradition of excellence that they helped create.”
Poe is a familiar face within the organization, having served the team as an assistant coach (2014) and team captain (2012-2013). He was also named Team MVP by his teammates after the 2013 NPSL season.
“I’m very excited about being named the head coach for AFC Cleveland,” Poe added. “I never thought growing up I’d be able to play for or coach a team that represented my home city, so to have this opportunity is amazing.”
The West Geauga HS product is also the head coach of the men’s soccer team for the University of Mount Union after previously serving as both the first assistant for the first team and head coach of the reserves.
Poe also works with the Cleveland Soccer Academy and Force Indoor Sports. He coaches a variety of CSA teams from age 6 to 17. As a trainer for Force, he runs individual and group training sessions and tryouts for teams in the Cleveland area in addition to serving as an instructor at various soccer camps.
He would also gain experience from working as a trainer at Solon High School in addition to working on the staff at the University of Akron I.D. Camp.
Poe was a standout at West Geauga before playing for Duquesne University from 2008-2012. He was a two-year captain who earned Atlantic-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and Academic All-Conference honors.
And he has clear goals for the season ahead, his first in charge of the Royals.
“First and foremost, we want to make the playoffs. I think with the talent this team has had in the past and with the experience of some of the players, that has to be the expectation. I believe the playoffs is where the club belongs, and once you get in, anything can happen.”
Poe is clearly focused and ready to begin, but he also recognizes the quality of the competition in the Midwest Region.
“In my opinion, it is one of the toughest in the country. There are so many good teams when you think about the likes of Detroit, Buffalo, and Erie. What’s more, new teams have come into the league playing a top level such as Lansing and the Indiana Fire.”
Poe has also secured the services of Brock Kertoy and Mario Gastaldo, who will serve on the staff as assistant coaches. Noulis Siamidis will serve as the team’s goalkeeping coach.
