FRANKLIN, TN - Tennessee Soccer Club is excited to announce that James Ritchie has been named the new Director of Goalkeeping, joining fellow Director of Goalkeeping Eric Vaughter. Ritchie will begin immediately in helping lead the TSC Goalkeeper Program consisting of over 175 goalkeepers and goalkeeper coaches.

"We are extremely pleased to bring on James to help lead our goalkeeping program," said TSC Executive Director Stuart Brown. "One particular quality that set James apart was his energy and enthusiasm. We look forward to him bringing that passion to our goalkeepers."

"I am very honored to be joining Tennessee Soccer Club," Ritchie said. "I would like to thank Stuart Brown and his staff for giving me this opportunity.  I am extremely excited to get on the pitch with the players and get to work with the keeper staff."

Ritchie comes to TSC from Sporting Oklahoma, an MLS affiliate youth soccer club where he has served as the Director of Soccer Operations, Director of Goalkeepers, as well as coaching teams. James brings a wealth of experience, coaching at all levels from youth (Sporting Oklahoma, Oklahoma Celtic SC), high school (South Kitsap HS, Dennis Yarmouth HS), college (Olympic College), and the professional ranks (OKC Energy FC, Kitsap Pumas). A native of Linlithgow, Scotland, Ritchie holds a Premier Diploma from United Soccer Coaches, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) "C" License, SFA Goalkeeper Level 2, and the SFA Youth and Children Level 3.

With the departure of former Director of Goalkeeping Lou Liberatore earlier this fall and the planned retirement of long-time director Vaughter at the end of the year, Ritchie is excited to build on the legacy of the program.

"I know I have some big shoes to fill as Coach Vaughter and Coach Liberatore have done an incredible job with the goalkeeping program," Ritchie added.  "I am looking forward to continuing to build on their great work."

For more information on the TSC Goalkeeping Program click here.