OLYMPIA, WA – The Artesians today have a home USL W League match against Eugene, Oregon’s USL soccer club, Lane United. Tonight’s 7:00PM kickoff at South Sound Stadium will be the last for Head Coach Ben Willis as he signed a professional soccer coaching contract in the USL Super League. The Super League is a new US Soccer approved pro soccer league that parallels the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League).
“I have really mixed emotions about leaving” said new pro soccer coach Ben Willis. “I’m so excited for my next step but I am really sad with leaving this amazing club, the players and the community.”
Ben Willis is currently undefeated in USL W League play having outscored opponents by a dozen goals across three matches (3-0-0). Willis came to the Artesians for his first ever head coaching appointment in USL soccer after playing years as a pro goalkeeper for Rio Grande and USL League Two seasons at Lane United.
I’ve felt the support right from the beginning and I’ve loved every second of it. This team is building something special and there is no limit to what this team can accomplish this year.
I am so excited to continue to follow this group throughout the rest of the season and to see the win some trophies and bring them back to Olympia.
-Ben Willis
The USL W League is a “path to pro” nationwide soccer franchise that serves NCAA female soccer players in the summer while they’re in between college seasons. The USL W also features pro athletes and elite high school players.
“Bittersweet but excited for Ben” said USL Club Owner Ryan Perkins. “We feel this is symbolic of this level of play and reinforces USL’s message to players, coaches and executives that the USL W and League Two are truly paths to the professional soccer.”
FC Olympia has hired Raphael Cox, current University of Washington Assistant Women’s Soccer coach to replace Ben Willis. Cox is a native of Tacoma, Washington and had a sizeable pro soccer playing career regionally and nationally including a stint at Real Salt Lake where his team won the MLS Cup Final in 2009. Raphael would then play a string of years with local pro teams and ended up winning an NASL Championship with Tampa Bay in 2012.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a talented group of players from across the country. They not only possess incredible talent but, more importantly, they demonstrate exceptional dedication and hard work.“
-Raphael Cox
Since then Cox has focused on coaching having been an assistant on the UW men’s soccer side from 2019 to 2021 and then getting the women’s assistant coaching position in 2023 where he currently coaches.
“The most exciting aspect of taking over such a top team is the existing momentum within the team and organization” said Cox. “My initial focus will be on observing and asking questions. I am to introduce a style of play that’s both fun and exciting to watch. Our goal will be to dominate every aspect of the game and create as many scoring opportunities as possible”
Fans can catch Raphael Cox tonight at South Sound Stadium. Lane United comes into the match looking for their first Northwest Division win in the USL W League. The two clubs met in Eugene in May with the Artesians winning 4-1.
Tickets to tonight’s USL W League match click here.
The match is featuring 40% off for all City of Lacey employees and kid’s 13 and under are free.
North Thurston High School Unified Sports will also be at the game to do introduction walkouts and will play on the field at halftime.
Stay tuned for more information on the USL W franchise and these midseason technical staff changes by subscribing below