Swan City SC Leadership

Ria Popovic

U17 & U18/U19
Facebook post - 3

Coach Bio

- U17 & U18/U19

International Highlights:

  • Player – Serbian National Team
  • Player – Wimbledon
  • Player – Chelsea FC
  • Player – Fulham
  • Player – Millwall

National Highlights:

  • Player – Webber International University
  • Player – WPSL League

Biography:

Ria was born in London, England, to a soccer family. Her love for the game was inspired by her brother, a talented player for clubs such as Crystal Palace and Fulham. As she grew up, she enjoyed playing in the parks with her brother and friends. With her experience and aptitude for the game, she joined a boys team which lead to her signing with such clubs as: Wimbledon, Chelsea, Fulham and Millwall. Her career success lead to an invitation to play with the Serbian national team. Wanting to reach new heights, Ria flew to the US to continue her playing career. She graduated from Webber International University (2017) and went on to play, semi-professionally with the WPSL league.

Her love for coaching began at 16 years old with Fulham FC, while she played for the Club. Ria began coaching in the community in camps, schools and foundation programs all over London. She went on to coach boys and girls teams and spent a season as an Assistant with Tooting and Mitcham F.C.  Ria joined Lakeland FC in 2015 as a head coach on the girls side and later became the Club Registrar. She continued coaching with the club while also working with ODP program and as an assistant with Florida Southern College (2018). Today, she is the Girls, Director of Coaching.

Ria holds her USSF B license, National C and FIFA level 1 and 2 licenses.