Homegrown Partner Program Announced

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – As a club committed to connecting the Rochester soccer community, Flower City Union is excited to announce it has appointed Zach Agliata as the club’s first Director of Soccer Development. Among other initiatives, Zach will lead its new Homegrown Partner Program which is focused on supporting Rochester’s youth soccer clubs with programming centered on player development as well as parent and coach engagement.

“As we build a vision for the club both on and off the pitch, we’re delighted we had the opportunity to attract a coach with Major League Soccer experience, who is also a Rochester native” said David Weaver, Principal Owner and President.  “Zach will play an integral part in building our club-neutral Homegrown Partner Program, as well as help us on the technical side of our first team.”

Based on our mission to “…positively impact the City of Rochester and its surrounding communities by fielding a competitive, championship-caliber team while supporting the development of youth soccer locally” we are focused on collaboration and not competition. There are no plans for a dedicated academy.  Rather, Flower City Union’s Homegrown Partner Program will create camps, clinics, and other supplemental experiences, as well as engage with the many strong youth soccer clubs in the area to help grow the game in Western New York. 

Zach comes to Flower City Union from the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer where he spent several years coaching at various levels.  In addition to his MLS experience Zach boasts an impressive soccer resume, which includes licenses with US Soccer and the Scottish FA, along with futsal & goalkeeping certifications.  He was also one of the first American coaches invited to attend the prestigious Johan Cruyff Institute in Amsterdam to obtain his Master’s in Coaching.

Zach grew up in Rochester and is a graduate of St. John Fisher College Sport Management, a strategic club business partner of Flower City Union. His deep connection and insights to the local soccer community combined with experience at NYRB, a leader in player development, will prove to be an invaluable resource as the club focuses on engaging the soccer culture of Rochester.

Agliata commented, “I’m really excited to be coming back home to Rochester; there’s such a special soccer history here and to have the opportunity to add to it and bring back the professional culture that this city deserves is a huge honor.“