Terry Boss’ dreams are coming true with Lexington Sporting Club
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Terry Boss had one thing on his mind when he was in the market for a new job. He wanted to be a head coach in the United Soccer League Championship (USLC).
Luckily for him, there was an opening in Lexington. Boss is the third head coach in the club’s history for the men’s professional team, who will begin its first season in the USLC in 2025.
“I knew that I had learned and grown a lot. I was looking for an opportunity to take some of the things I’ve learned and make them better,” said Boss, who had a love at first sight feeling with Lexington SC.
The native Oregonian says that he’s excited and thankful for not just his new job, but also who he’s working with.
“This is a place that I wanted to be,” said Boss. “The way they’re going about it and the way they want to do it is aligned with who I am and the experiences I’ve had.”
The Big Step
Terry Boss on his first day at work. Credit- Lexington SC
Connecting with people is key for Boss to galvanize support from his players to win for Lexington. He feels that the USLC is a great league for him to use his leadership skills to mentor every player from young professionals to experienced veterans.
“For me, leading people is leading people,” said Boss.
Despite not holding a head coaching position in professional soccer until now, the longtime coach has been in charge of some big names.
In the top flight with Austin FC, eleven year MLS veteran Gyasi Zardes and Argentine designated player Sebastian Driussi were two talents under his direction.
As a goalkeeper coach with the United States men’s national team, Boss coached Zach Steffen, Sean Johnson, Brad Guzan and Ethan Horvath.
The four keepers combined for nine clean sheets out of 18 matches during that calendar year.
The Style of Soccer
Boss is looking for confident and aggressive players who can propel Lexington into the opposition’s defensive third as fast as possible.
“We want to be dominant with the ball. We want to disorganized the opposition. We want to get behind the last line as quick as possible. We want a mix of guys who have really good ball security and really good game understanding,” said Boss. “We want a front three who have a real verticality and a frightening aggression to get behind the last line.”
Cameron Lancaster (left) and Ates Diouf (right) celebrate after a goal. Credit- Lexington SC
Two of those players who fit that profile, returners Ates Diof and Cameron Lancaster, are a great start to building a robust attack to solve Lexington’s past goal scoring woes.
Last season, LSC was in the middle of the United Soccer League One (USL1) pack in goals scored with 35, but was tenth in shots on target per 90 minutes with 3.73.
The Pride of Lexington
Winning would be welcome to Lexington’s supporters after two dismal seasons as bottom dwellers in the USL1.
With a new stadium and training facility worth $80 million dollars as well as financial backing to build a team, excuses for losing will be hard to find.
Boss doesn’t seem like a manager who will rationalize losing. He says he will demand winning and doing so with an identity that fights for the badge.
“I’m never not going to understand that this is a game, but I think we’re naive to not recognize the power and responsibility that this sport has.” said Boss.
