Greater Lowell Rough Diamonds Reintroduced as the Alexandria Reds

Greater Lowell Rough Diamonds (Lowell, MA) will be reintroduced as the Alexandria Reds (Alexandria, VA).  The Alexandria Reds will compete in the NPSL’s Mid-Atlantic Conference in 2022.   

Alexandria Soccer Association (ASA) was launched in 1970 and offers soccer programming to kids of all ages.  The club has grown in size and program offerings for the community over the past 50 years, and one addition over the past decade was the ASA Reds.  The Reds, a high-level men’s team, has a storied past of competing locally in the Washington Premier League thanks to three championship titles.  Most recently the Reds were Fall 2021 champions in the American Premier League.

The Alexandria Reds are led by ASA Executive Director Thomas Park and Head Coach Will Hanna.

Park oversees the overarching strategic direction at the club.  He works closely with the board of directors, executive staff, and community stakeholders to push ASA towards defining and achieving its outcomes.  Park joined ASA in 2011 initially serving as both Executive and Technical Director.  Prior to working at ASA, he gained valuable experience coaching the D.C. United U-20 team and at DeMatha High School.  He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Washington and a master’s degree from Georgetown University.  Park has earned the USSF “A” Coaching License, National Youth License, Unisport (Brazil) Coaching Certificate, and was a USSF Coach Instructor.

“The leadership team of the Greater Lowell Rough Diamonds relocated to Alexandria, VA during the pandemic introducing the opportunity to bring high-level amateur soccer to Alexandria through the NPSL,” Park said. “Alexandria Soccer Association, its 50-plus years of tradition serving the community, and its 6,000 annual participants offered the best platform to maximize the benefit of the league platform.”

Hanna has led ASA Reds for the past three years.  He coaches two high-level MLS Next youth teams at ASA and oversees their nationally recognized Futsal ID program. He played semi-professionally with Paducah Premier in the PASL and earned his bachelor’s degree from Marshall University.  Hanna holds his USSF “B” Coaching License, NSCAA National Diploma, and several futsal coaching licenses. 

“ASA Reds are coming off two exciting seasons of growth and success, and the transition into the NPSL is exactly the challenge we’re ready for,” Hanna said. “As we continue to build our talented player pool and kick off training for 2022, we’re looking forward to representing Alexandria and competing against top teams from around the region.”

The Reds’ roster is made up of local talent, former ASA Academy participants, and regional standouts. The Reds help provide a pathway for talented players looking to play beyond high school and college.  

More information about the club can be found at alexandria-soccer.org or by following the club on Facebook (@Alexandriasoccer), Instagram (@AlexandriaSoccer), and Twitter (@AlexandriaSoc).