Local Players:
We highly recommend that you attend the open tryout on Sunday, February 22 in Newport News. This is your best and only opportunity to showcase your talents in-person for the Lionsbridge FC Senior Team coaching staff prior to the 2026 USL League Two season.
Out-of-Town Players
If you cannot attend the local, in-person tryout on February 22, please complete the form below and it will automatically be forwarded to the Lionsbridge coaching staff.
Coaching Staff
HEAD COACH: Chris Whalley (9th Year)
Chris Whalley has served as Lionsbridge FC head coach since the club formed in 2018.
Whalley has established Lionsbridge as one of the perennial powerhouses in USL League Two. The accomplishments include five straight USL League Two playoff appearances (2021-25), three Chesapeake Division championships (2022-24), two Eastern Conference Finals (2023-24) and one USL League Two final (2023).
Through eight seasons, Whalley's Lionsbridge teams have an overall record of 92 wins, 25 losses and 23 draws (74% winning percentage). Since 2021, Lionsbridge has turned TowneBank Stadium into a fortress, winning 48, drawing 11 and losing only 5 (84% winning percentage) and hosted 12 USL League Two playoff games (9 wins and 3 losses).
During the Whalley era, Lionsbridge FC has sent 21 players into the professional realm including two MLS draft picks, MLS Next Pro, 11 different USL clubs as well as clubs in England, Spain, Scotland, Sweden, Luxembourg, Australia and New Zealand.
Whalley brings 18 years of head coaching experience and is one of the most successful coaches in the history of NCAA Division II. The native of Nottinghamshire, England, is also the head coach at Chowan University in North Carolina, where he is the school's all-time wins leader.
Chris Whalley has served as Lionsbridge FC head coach since the club formed in 2018.
Whalley has established Lionsbridge as one of the perennial powerhouses in USL League Two. The accomplishments include five straight USL League Two playoff appearances (2021-25), three Chesapeake Division championships (2022-24), two Eastern Conference Finals (2023-24) and one USL League Two final (2023).
Through eight seasons, Whalley's Lionsbridge teams have an overall record of 92 wins, 25 losses and 23 draws (74% winning percentage). Since 2021, Lionsbridge has turned TowneBank Stadium into a fortress, winning 48, drawing 11 and losing only 5 (84% winning percentage) and hosted 12 USL League Two playoff games (9 wins and 3 losses).
During the Whalley era, Lionsbridge FC has sent 21 players into the professional realm including two MLS draft picks, MLS Next Pro, 11 different USL clubs as well as clubs in England, Spain, Scotland, Sweden, Luxembourg, Australia and New Zealand.
Whalley brings 18 years of head coaching experience and is one of the most successful coaches in the history of NCAA Division II. The native of Nottinghamshire, England, is also the head coach at Chowan University in North Carolina, where he is the school's all-time wins leader.
ASSISTANT COACHES:
MEDICAL STAFF: Riverside Health System
- Announcements coming soon
MEDICAL STAFF: Riverside Health System
- Team Physician: Dr. J.R. Barley, D.O. (9th Year)
- Head Athletic Trainer: Jamie Field (6th Year)
- Physical Therapy: Riverside Sports PT (9th Year)
Here's a look back at previous Open Tryouts:
Josh Spencer (4th Year) (Old Dominion)
Fernando Zuniga (8th Year) (Chowan)
Sahil Dhunnookchand (1st year) (IPFW)
Jamie Gunderson (5th Year) (Christopher Newport)
Richard Dearle (2nd Year) (Rio Grande)
Fernando Zuniga (8th Year) (Chowan)
Sahil Dhunnookchand (1st year) (IPFW)
Jamie Gunderson (5th Year) (Christopher Newport)
Richard Dearle (2nd Year) (Rio Grande)
