Newly appointed Assistant Coach Zach Prince is back to teaming up with Head Coach Troy Lesesne, a relationship that goes way back, beyond their days at New Mexico United.
Zach and Troy go back decades, where the Head Coach was coaching the Assistant Coach when he was still playing in college, then later as a professional.
But that’s not the only reason Prince is excited to join the club.
“Troy being the head coach is definitely a part of the equation,” Prince said. “But a massive part of the equation is the New York Red Bulls. The reason I say that is because I admire the club so much, I've studied this club, studied this style of play -- their way of approaching the game -- for a long time now."
Prince, 35, joined New York from New Mexico United in the USL Championship, where he has been since 2018. Prince served as an assistant coach under Lesesne from 2019 to 2021.
“It's just such a decisive club,” Prince said of RBNY. “They know exactly who they want to be, and they’re unapologetic about their style of play. I love that and it was something that I couldn't wait to be a part of, and couldn't wait to add to the group.”
Following Lesesne’s departure from NMU, Prince served as Head Coach and Technical director of the club since 2021. During his tenure at New Mexico United, he led the club to a 25-19-22 mark and helped New Mexico qualify for the USL Championship playoffs in 2022.
“I knew that he would do anything we needed for the organization to be successful,” Lesesne said of hiring Prince.
Prior to New Mexico, Prince played for the Charleston Battery from 2010 to 2016, where he made 153 appearances and scored 11 goals across all competitions. He won the USL Championship Final with Charleston Battery during the 2011-2012 season. Prince played collegiate soccer at College of Charleston from 2006 to 2009.
“It's a lot different from being a head coach, where you're having to manage a lot of different things,” Prince said. “I'm really excited about going a mile deep rather than a mile wide, really being focused on what my tasks are. I’m just excited to help us be successful. And continue the trend that we're headed in already.
In 2022, he led New Mexico to their highest points total, most goals scored, and highest goal differential in club history.
Goal scoring has been an important point in the days that Prince has been with the club, already tabbing it as one of the many focuses for Prince.
“We're confident in them and they're confident in themselves,” Prince said. “I'm excited to keep helping these players individually -- and collectively, as a group -- on making those final actions complete, because we're getting in some really good situations.
“It's right there,” Prince said. “Confidence is growing.”
Prince’s role will obviously handle normal assistant coach duties, but will also expand beyond the specifications of the job.
“To be successful right now, with me coming in, is the fact that we know each other really well,” Prince said. “I know how he works and how he wants to implement, not only his style of play, but -- most importantly -- the cultural change that he wants. I think I can help speed that process up a bit.”
Lesesne said Prince will also help continue to forge relationships throughout the sporting side of the organization.
“He'll be a connector between the first team, second team and Academy,” Lesesne said. “That's extremely important for someone to always be connected -- I hope to play that role, as well, because we have the resources. We have, from Academy to the second team, one of the best setups in the league.”
Prince, though, is still fully ready to dig in on match preparation, first team trainings and more.
“I love this type of stuff,” Prince said. “While it's a challenge, these are things that I look forward to.”
And this opportunity is one he will not take lightly.
“There's not one moment of one day that I'm not looking at this opportunity and saying, ‘I'm a little tired’ or whatever,” Prince said. “I'm so hungry for this opportunity. I’m so ready for this opportunity. I look forward to each and every moment that I'm here.”
