Granite City FC “Rocks” Welcomes Coach Zunuwala Jones

Coach Jones is from Monrovia Liberia and came to the states in 1997. He has been involved in soccer since he was a child. He played for his high school club while living in the Ivory Coast.

When he arrived in the States he got involved in adult soccer in Bloomington but soon found a powerful soccer community in Brooklyn Park. He quickly noticed a lot of Liberian young men struggling with life in America. and knew soccer could be a tool to help them. He played, coached and mentored these young men helping them be not only better players. but better more successful people

His first team to head coach was Laressa FC. Although only for a short time He is always grateful to the team for giving him the chance because it was there his vision and passion to coach deepened.

He went on to coach All Nation fc for about 3 years. last year, was selected to coach Might Barrolle for the Liberian independent day celebration in Minnesota. Then Coach Jones led Ajax AJex FC of the Brooklyn park league to the team’s first ever undefeated regular season

When asked about why Granite City FC, St Cloud and the UPSL coach replied

” I felt an instant connection with the Granite City leaders and the vision… St Cloud is an undeveloped soccer hot spot with great talent just waiting to be found…. The UPSL is a league I feel that will help me be a better coach and give me more opportunity to make even a bigger positive impact in the community. ” He went on to say. “I would like to give thanks to God for this opportunity. Thanks to Amer and the entire Granite city organization. I believe If we work hard, trust in each other, respect each other and play as a team, we will make our St Cloud community proud. “

On goals and objectives for his and Granite Cities inaugural season in the UPSL the coach was clear.

” I like simple effective football, and I like to win. I do not want to make any bold predictions or sound out of place but I expect finish near the top of the table get into the regional playoffs and then qualify for the 2019 US Open cup”

Granite City is looking forward to giving fans a great season with Coach Jones

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