VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach United is having one of those special seasons in soccer. It's amazing how one change can have a domino effect on a squad.
It starts with their head coach, Chris Mills who left Virginia Wesleyan University after 16 years to spend more time with his family.
That didn't last very long.
His wife Sara saw the signs of him needing to be back on the pitch and so he took the head job at Virginia Beach United. In other words....
"She said you can't be around the house", he said. "You got to do something this summer."
That decision turned the course of the team's success. They were 7-1-1 as they went into their friendly match with Ole Sporting FC. VB United won 1-0 Wednesday night with a second half goal from Micah Wayland who's headed to play at Old Dominion University.
Alexander Moody, who's a Churchland High School alum, was with the Marlins when Mills was head coach and isn't surprised at the team's success.
"We have a lot of quality players", he said. "Good quality coaching staff. Just players from home, but we find a lot of players from out of town."
Teammate Jonathon Leiding, who played at nearby Landstown added, "It feels like we have a great group of guys who are like brothers to me. I got love for all of them".
They've now got a date Saturday at archrival Lionsbridge who won their match against Christos FC 3-2. First place is on the line which makes it all the more exciting for defender Juan Hermoso.
"It's local. It's a rivalry that we have in the area and it's pretty good. I like those games".
For Virginia Beach United, it's all about redemption.