Columbia names Armstrong, Ellinger

Columbia native Desmond Armstrong and UMBC soccer coach John Ellinger have been chosen by the Soccer Association of Columbia as its first full-time directors of coaching.

Armstrong, a former defender for the Baltimore Blast of the Major Soccer League, is a current member of the United States National team and competed in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. He is a former SAC player, and a graduate of Howard High and the University of Maryland.

Ellinger is a United States Soccer Federation "A" licensed coach. He is a member of the USSF national coaching staff, working at the U.S. Olympic Festival.

The SCA, with headquarters in Columbia, fields more than 200 recreational, select and adult teams. Armstrong and Ellinger will work with club coaches to improve the instruction at all levels.