Zach Prince (born March 30, 1988) is an American soccer coach and former professional soccer player who is currently an assistant coach for Major League Soccer club D.C. United. He spent his entire professional career as a midfielder with the Charleston Battery in the United Soccer League.
![]() Prince playing for Charleston Battery in 2016 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Zach Prince | ||
Date of birth | March 30, 1988 | ||
Place of birth | Columbia, South Carolina, United States | ||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2006–2009 | College of Charleston Cougars | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2008 | Colorado Rapids U-23 | 16 | (5) |
2009 | Chicago Fire Premier | 6 | (0) |
2010–2016 | Charleston Battery | 162 | (9) |
Managerial career | |||
2019–2021 | New Mexico United (assistant) | ||
2021–2023 | New Mexico United | ||
2024– | D.C. United (assistant) | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 27, 2016 |
Career
editYouth and College
editPrince grew up in Irmo, South Carolina and attended Irmo High School playing soccer all four years while also a member of the USYSA Region III Pool team in 2003 and 2005. He played four years of college soccer at the College of Charleston as a striker. During his college years Prince also played for Colorado Rapids U23's[1] and Chicago Fire Premier[2] in the USL Premier Development League, and was part of the Chicago squad which reached the 2009 PDL Championship game.
Professional
editPrince signed his first professional contract with the Charleston Battery on April 14, 2010. He made his professional debut on April 17, 2010, in a 3–2 win over the Charlotte Eagles.[3] He re-signed with the club for the 2012 season, his third, on January 13, 2012.[4]
Prince played most commonly as an outside midfielder for the Battery, but also filled in at numerous other positions including right back and defensive midfield and was known for his competitive, physical style of play. Following the 2016 season Prince announced his retirement from professional soccer, finishing his USL career with 162 league appearances and 9 goals.
Managerial career
editIn 2019, Prince joined the New Mexico United organization as the first assistant to then-head coach, Troy Lesesne. In addition to the time spent in the senior side, he worked with the New Mexico United Academy in its inaugural season of 2021. On November 15, Prince was announced as the manager for the senior squad, replacing Troy Lesesne.[5]
On June 3, 2023, Prince stepped down as New Mexico's head coach and technical director.[6]
Prince reunited with Troy Lesesne in January 2024, joining Lesesne's staff at D.C. United in Major League Soccer.[7]
Honors
editCharleston Battery
edit- USL Second Division Regular Season Champions (1): 2010
- USL Pro Champions (1): 2012
References
edit- ^ United Soccer Leagues (USL)
- ^ United Soccer Leagues (USL)
- ^ United Soccer Leagues (USL)
- ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2012-01-21. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ New Mexico United Names Zach Prince Head Coach/Technical Director
- ^ Carl, D. "New Mexico United Announces Departure of Head Coach/Technical Director Zach Prince". NewMexicoUtd.com. New Mexico United. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "D.C. United Appoint Zach Prince as Assistant Coach". DCUnited.com. D.C. United. Retrieved 23 January 2024.