CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 14^th, 2022) - The Charlotte Independence Soccer Club (CISC) today promotes Mary Rea to Futsal Coaching Director. This is an exciting time for the community as the club looks to build the foundation towards competitive programs within the sport. Rea will oversee growing the game of futsal and materializing opportunities for existing Charlotte Independence Soccer Club players. Additional responsibilities include initiating the creation of new futsal programs, trainings, and leagues for our competitive and recreational players. As a new program, it is important that our staff, families, and the entire community is educated on the sport. Rea will be at the forefront communicating with everyone to improve and grow these efforts. In addition to Futsal, she will hold responsibilities in supporting club camps moving forward.

“Mary Rea is an exciting hire for Charlotte Independence and the Independence Futsal Program. Mary is one of the top Futsal Coaches in the country. Creating Futsal opportunities for thousands of Independence soccer players around their outdoor seasons is an enormous task,” said Director of Futsal and Camps Pat White. “The addition of Mary will help us create futsal programs and opportunities for more of our membership. We at Charlotte Independence understand that futsal is one of the most important tools to help our younger players build confidence on the ball, be more creative, and help players under pressure.”

For the past 10 years, Rea has worked with Barefoot FC where she coached futsal, beach, and freestyle soccer. During this span, she coached her teams to USFY National Champions, National Finalists, and USYF Regional Champions in three consecutive years with the 2007 & 2008 Girls. Her commitment to game showcases that Rea takes the time to develop players and watches them grow at every step in the process. This includes traveling internationally as a USYF coach where she has a USFY Level 3 License. Rea has traveled to Portugal and Argentina twice, Madrid, Barcelona, and Columbia.

Earlier in Rea’s career, she was the Varsity Head Coach for Legion Academy, Varsity Head Coach for National Ford High School, and JV Coach for Mauldin High School. Playing college soccer at Wofford College proves Rea has the experience, knowledge, and competitiveness to strive for success as she soon enters her new role.

“I am excited to start working with CISC's Futsal Program and especially looking forward to working with Pat White and Emily McMillian to help get more players and coaches involved with the sport,” said Mary Rea. “I am passionate about developing creative, intelligent players, and I believe futsal is one great way to do that. I have coached youth futsal at a high level over the past few years now, and I love the way the game cultivates players' technical precision and their ability to create and improvise tactically. I want to continue to learn and grow as a futsal coach, and I'm thankful to Charlotte Independence and Pat White for this opportunity. I hope to be able to share my love for the game and my knowledge with the club.” 

Rea will be joining a staff with the experience and pedigree that as a cohesive unit will transform the Futsal Program. Pat White has played futsal for more than 20 years. He was a part of the US National Futsal Team from 1996-2004. White is the only male Futsal or Soccer player in the US to win two CONCACAF Gold medals. He even played in the 2004 Futsal World Cup in Chinese Taipei. As part of the U.S. Futsal National Team, White played 23 games. He even played for the Milwaukee Wave of the National Professional Soccer League where he became 4X Champion within ten years. During the summer of 2022, White was one of 155 people named to the player eligibility list for the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Emily McMillian is another futsal staff member that Rea will work with. She guided the 2009 and 2010 Charlotte Independence Girls to the National Championships in Kansas City. The 2009’s took 1^st place and the 2010s 3^rd place.

More information on Futsal programs will be communicated to members and posted on our website.