Rich Costanzo - Assistant Men's Soccer Coach - Men's Soccer Coaches

Rich Costanzo

Title:
Assistant Men's Soccer Coach
Email:
richard.costanzo@usma.edu
Phone:
2463

Rich Costanzo completed his third season as an assistant coach for the Army men’s soccer program in 2016.

Costanzo helped guide the Cadets to a 9-8-2 overall record, including a 4-4-1 mark in Patriot League competition during the 2016 season. Under Costanzo’s assistance, Army qualified for the Patriot League Tournament for the fourth season in a row and defeated Navy for the second year in a row, with a 1-0 win over the Mids on Sept. 23 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa.

Five Army players earned All-Patriot League honors in 2016, as freshman Zac McGraw was named to the first team, and seniors Christian Clark and Tanner Vosvick, junior Marcos Arroyo, and freshman Rex Epps were recognized on the third team.

Epps finished with 11 goals during the 2016 campaign to mark the most by a Black Knight since John Brence (USMA ’91) scored 12 goals in 1988.

Costanzo helped lead Army to a 5-8-5 record and its third consecutive Patriot League Tournament appearance in 2015. The Black Knights also defeated service academy-rival Navy for the first time 2008, with a 2-1 victory over the Midshipmen on Nov. 3, 2015 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

Three Black Knights were selected to All-Patriot League teams at the conclusion of the regular season, including Cameron Niccum (second team), Christian Clark and Tanner Vosvick (third team).

In 2014, he helped oversee an Army squad that finished 6-8-6 overall and advanced in the Patriot League Tournament for the second time since 1996. The Black Knights drew the sixth seeded in the tournament and played to a 0-0 draw at third-seeded American in the league quarterfinals before winning a 4-3 decision on penalty kicks.

Costanzo holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “B” Coaching License and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Premier Diploma. For his coaching achievements he was named to the NSCAA’s “30 under 30” class of 2015. This is a year-long education and mentorship program for a select group of up and coming coaches who are making soccer their career.

Since 2015, Rich has also served as a U.S. Soccer Network Scout for the Northeast Region. He works to evaluate United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) Players for recommendation to their respective Youth National Team. He also evaluates USSDA Teams during their training sessions and takes part in Market Training Centers.

Costanzo arrived at West Point following a five-year professional playing career from 2009 to 2013 that included stints with the Minnesota Thunder, Rochester Rhinos and Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League (USL).

Costanzo played the 2009 season with Minnesota, scoring a goal in 20 appearances at right back before playing two seasons in Rochester, where he scored four goals in 39 games. During the 2012 and 2013 seasons, Costanzo served as captain of the Riverhounds, playing in 43 games with three goals.

"Rich brings a championship pedigree to our program both as successful former collegiate and professional soccer player but also as a talented hard working emerging coach," said Army head coach Russell Payne at the time of Costanzo’s hiring. "We are very excited to have him join our West Point family."

In 2012, Costanzo founded the Pittsburgh Soccer Academy (PSA), an organization geared toward training young soccer players. Costanzo served as the owner and director of PSA, where he directed training with individuals, groups and teams, while also conducting camps and clinics. Through PSA, Costanzo also worked with youth soccer groups to assist in teaching fundamentals and proper techniques.

Costanzo was recognized for his accomplishments with PSA by Pittsburgh's Whirl Magazine in a feature titled "13 under 30" that recognized 13 young professionals and entrepreneurs in the Pittsburgh area.

Before his professional career, Costanzo played collegiately for one season at Penn State before transferring to Maryland. Costanzo was named the 2004 Big Ten Freshman of the Year following his freshman campaign with the Nittany Lions, while also earning Freshman All-America honors by Soccer America, Top Drawer Soccer and College Soccer News.

Costanzo transferred to Maryland prior to the 2006 season before being named team captain in 2008 and leading the Terrapins to an ACC Championship and an NCAA Division I national title.

He graduated from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business in December 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Business.