LYNN — Lynn native Eric Moreno is ready to take on his new challenge as the head coach of the Classical boys soccer team.
Moreno replaces Dominick Steadman, who previously coached the Rams for two seasons.
The 26-year-old Moreno has a lifelong history of playing soccer and is the co-founder the Lynn United Football Club.
Moreno is the Team CEO, and had been playing at the amateur level with the Massachusetts State Soccer League, accepted a berth in the Champions Soccer League USA in 2017 — a semipro organization with teams throughout New England.
Moreno will meet with the players as soon as he and Classical athletic director Bill Devin get together to set a date after the April school vacation.
Moreno began playing for Lynn Youth Soccer, attended Bishop Fenwick and continued at Salem State.
He started Lynn United FC as an amateur team, but it grew into a semi-pro organization.
“I want to establish a winning culture,” Moreno said.
Last season, the Rams missed the MIAA state tournament.
Moreno’s goals as the new coach are to develop players and to help students get scholarships. Over a lifetime of playing, Moreno said he has acquired knowledge that he would like to give back to the Lynn youth.
Organization and discipline are going to be key components to his coaching strategy, he said, adding that he understands that these life lessons can be taken further in life off the field, and wants kids to be successful in college.
“Soccer has been a way of life for me,” he said. “It has shaped some of the values and habits I utilize day to day such as work ethic, respect, teamwork resilience and problem solving. I hope it will do the same for others that I touch through the sport.”
The values Moreno wants to reinforce in the players have helped him accomplish his personal goals. Moreno was the first person in his immediate family to graduate from college.
“The lessons I learned from the game helped in tough times when I had to balance a full course load,” he said. ” The work ethic I learned through the game gave me the drive to help found the Lynn United Football Club.”
Moreno wants to lead by example, hoping to be a positive role model for young players.
