HE’S BACK
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Virginia Beach United is excited to announce that head coach Chris Mills will be returning next season for VBU’s 2025 campaign. This exciting news comes after Mills led Virginia Beach to its best season in franchise history in 2024. This past year, Mills’ United squad racked up an impressive 9-1-2 record in the regular season of USL2 play, which secured United’s first-ever postseason appearance. With Mills behind the wheel, Virginia Beach improved its number of goals scored from 2023 by sixteen, decreased its number of goals allowed by ten, and ranked in the top five nationally in scoring defense.
A large reason for Mills’ success in his inaugural season as head coach was his connection to players in the local area. The head man’s winning formula was largely crafted using Hampton Roads college players and former local high school standouts, like leading scorer Ethan Taylor and captains Jonathon Leiding and Alexander Moody. However, it wasn’t just local kids that Mills targeted in the signing process. The former Marlin used his resourcefulness to reach out across the country to find talents such as Juan Valiente and Sammy Murphy, two standouts United fans will hope to see return.
Virginia Beach United is not only thrilled to have Chris Mills returning, but for the culture he instilled to be coming back as well. Mills’ unyielding commitment to winning resonated with every player in the locker room in 2024, leading to a squad that was determined, energized, and hungry for every minute of every match. However, it was Mills’ attention to detail that gave United the edge it needed in its intense division matches.
“I had an unforgettable first year,” Mills wrote, “working with the group of guys we had and the success of the team. I’m looking forward to building off this past season’s success and continuing to grow our program. I’m also looking forward to all of the facility upgrades being completed and being able to put on a good show for the fans every night at the plex!”
Mills' commitment to a winning culture, a wide roster of talented players, and his ability to triumph in one of the toughest USL2 Divisions in the country leave Virginia Beach United excited to see what else the coach can do in 2025.
