Former WNT standout and Penn State All American to become part of NY Surf’s leadership to develop next generation of metro New York’s top players

NEW YORK, NY June 19, 2017 — New York Surf Soccer Club is pleased to welcome Long Island native and 2016 Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame inductee Christie Welsh as our Assistant Technical Director and Academy Coach of NY Surf.

“We are honored and humbled to have Christie join New York Surf. Her distinguished career has included incredible accomplishments and she is a true standout in U.S. women’s soccer. Christie is one of the best female soccer players to have ever come out of Long Island and NY Surf is excited to be bringing her back to help develop the next generation of top players in New York. Christie is one of our region’s most coveted up and coming coaches and adding her to our coaching leadership is another important milestone to building a ‘player development first’ soccer leadership team that is unmatched in our region,” commented Matt Popoli, President of New York Surf.

Welsh, a native of Massapequa, is a Hermann Trophy winner, former U.S. National Team member, and was one of the most decorated players in Penn State and Big Ten Conference history. As a coach, Welsh served as an assistant coach in three USSF national camps with the U-14 Girls’ National Team, U-15 Girls’ National Team and was a part of the first ever Striker & Goalkeeper Training Camp held in December 2016. She has coached collegiately at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia (2012 – 2013) and at the University of Oregon (2013 – 2015). Welsh began her coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Penn State (2004 – 06) while she was competing with the U.S. National Team. She also worked as a volunteer assistant at Wisconsin in 2011. Welsh has also coached extensively at the youth club level working with boys and girls of all ages.

“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to join such a great group of coaches at NY Surf and give back to the New York soccer community that has done so much for my life and career,” said Coach Welsh. “My focus as a coach has always been on player development and working with the community, which I will continue to do in my new roles at NY Surf,” added Coach Welsh.

A member of the U.S. National Team from 2000 until 2008, Welsh tallied 20 goals over 39 international contests. An alternate for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she was part of the 2004, 2006, and 2007 Olympic and World Cup training residencies. In 2005, Welsh helped the U.S. National Team capture the Algarve Cup, tallying a team-best five goals, including the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Germany in the finals.

Welsh was the first Penn State player to earn NSCAA All-America honors in each of her four years, while leading her squad to four-straight Big Ten titles and two Final Four appearances from 1999-02. She was the first player in conference history to be named Big Ten Player of the Year three consecutive seasons. On the field, Welsh set the Big Ten’s record for goals (82), assists (52) and points (216), with her career points mark still standing. She was recognized as the top collegiate player receiving both the Hermann Trophy and M.A.C. Player of the Year honors.

Following her collegiate career, Welsh was drafted second overall in the 2003 WUSA Draft by the New York Power. Leading her team in scoring, Welsh would go on to play internationally for KIF Orebro of Sweden’s Top Division in 2004 and Olympique Lyonnaise of the French First Division in 2005.
Additionally, she helped the Washington Freedom to the 2005 W-League championship, and the NJ Wildcats to the 2007 title, garnering MVP honors along the way. Recently, she has played in the Women’s Professional Soccer League, competing for both the LA Sol and St. Louis Athletica in 2009 and the Washington Freedom in 2010.
A native of Massapequa, N.Y., Welsh led Massapequa High School to the 1997 New York State Championship and earned Parade All-American honors twice. The 1998 Gatorade Circle of Champions National High School Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year, she was named an NSCAA All-American as a senior.

Welsh currently holds an NSCAA National Diploma and a USSF F license.

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