As the 2016 League1 season approaches, FC London’s Men’s and Women’s coaching staff is grinding, getting creative and organizing their tactics for back-to-back Men’s and Women’s LEAGUE1 home openers at the German Canadian Club on Cove Rd. on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14.

At the helm of these teams as they play in the top league in Ontario are two highly-ranked individuals, Mario Despotovic, head coach of the Men’s League1 U23 program, and Michael Marcoccia on the women’s side. Both will have a great influence on the new face of FC London.

Despotovic, one of few UEAFA PRO License holders with experience coaching at the U15 and U21 level with Croatia’s Dynamo Zagreb, brings his expertise of periodization training with a goal of fine tuning the Canadian culture in football here in London.

“I came here for the International camp for AG London, and I saw there is a lot of talent here, but we are just missing some guidance through periodization and coaching education,” said Despotivic. “This could turn out to be a really nice story.”

The League1 men’s team faces the 2015 league champion Oakville Blue Devils on the first day of May. On May 13, the men finally gain home field advantage against the ProStars at the German Canadian Club.

Marcoccia, a former professional player with several years of head coach and technical director experience, will lead the FC women’s squad. Also following the periodization model, Marcoccia has set the bar high, and the quality and enthusiasm of his players is also high, especially for a first season club.

“We’re entering the season with a very young squad, so our preparation will be very important in order to compete against players that are 3 to 5 years older,” said Marcoccia.

“The addition of a League1 Women’s team gives London the opportunity to make a name for local talent,” said Ian Campbell, the majority owner backing this exciting new venture. “It also creates an environment for aspiring youth to strive towards something bigger, creating new pathways for females in this beautiful game.”

FC London has partnered with UMBRO for the 2016 season, and is happy to be aligned with Source for Sports who has been a dedicated soccer supporter for many years at all levels.

“The summer will also bring an opportunity for young fans to engage with players at games and in camps,” said Campbell, referring to both the post-game ‘Fan-Zone’ autograph area and the camps coached by FC LONDON players in July.

Fans have the option of individual or season ticket packages for the 2016 season, which will run from mid-May to mid-September, and with 20+ home games between the two teams, there will be plenty of high quality soccer action for fans to enjoy.

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