The FC Pennsylvania Strikers have a unique way of doing things. Mainly, their coaches do less, so the players can have more.

The Strikers club is essentially made up of one team. The coaches stay with the group exclusively through their developmental process and see them through graduation before a new group is adopted.

“It’s something that David (Shaw) started, and the idea is that a lot of times you have a coach who is leading so many different teams that don’t really have the time to put in,” said coach/trainer Jim McLoughlin, one of three main coaches who oversee the Strikers. “We’re now working with the third team the club has had, and once in a while we may have a team overlap, but for the most part we give the one team undivided attention.”

The Strikers system is one that abandons the win-now mentality of some programs and truly is dedicated to the development of the player.

Having said that, the Strikers are making pretty good headway on the winning side of things as well. Ranked No. 3 among U15 girls’ teams in TopDrawerSoccer.com’s TeamRank, the Strikers are coming off a second-place finish in the US Youth Soccer National League – the San Diego Surf took first.

The high placing allowed the Strikers to clinch a spot in nationals, a perk that will free up the team for the rest of the year.

“It really puts the team in a good light, because we don’t have the pressure of having to qualify through State Cup, etc …,” McLoughlin said. “Now we can practice different things, while still trying to win but with less pressure. It was a great experience for us to play against the best teams.”

The Strikers are undoubtedly one of the better teams around. Players like forward Brittany Ratcliffe, midfielders Dana Rosney, Carly Black and Taryn Tomczyk make for an imposing offense.

On the other side, goalkeepers Emily Armstrong and Jillian McVicker control the net.

“Our chemistry is excellent. From game to game we don’t know who the starting 11 are,” McLoughlin said. “We have a really good group. It’s not a team where we have to have the same players contributing. But I look at this team over a period of years. I don’t look at how we’re playing going into tournaments. The question is: Are we getting better and seeing improvement?

“I think we’re doing that.”