Patrick Leonard Steps Down As Head Coach Of Port Orchard FC

PORT ORCHARD, WA—Port Orchard Football Club announces that Patrick Leonard has stepped down as head coach of the men’s semi-pro soccer team.

Leonard helped found the club in late 2022 and then went on to coach POFC for three seasons, 2023, 2024 and 2025. During those years Pat guided the club to a CPL2 championship and promotion to the Cascadia Premier League First Division. He took the club to three straight championship finals, most recently winning the CPL1 trophy in 2025.

Port Orchard FC has announced details of a head coach search in this release.

Leonard remains part of the POFC family and the club’s foundation will always carry our first gaffer’s DNA.

Please read statements below from Coach Leonard and POFC Staff.

Statement From Coach Leonard

I think it’s important to state that this decision to step away from my role is not an easy one, and not one I take lightly. In the end, this decision has come with a lot of reflection and time talking through things with loved ones. For me, this is coming at a time where I see the club entering a transition of chapters, and with that I feel my life is having similar transitions in chapters as well. POFC has been incredible to me and the decision is more so a life decision than a soccer decision.

The way I was brought in and trusted right from day one gave me the chance to try to play how I wanted to. David and Sam sat down with me when this club was just an idea and fully believed in me to go out and try to do things my way, for that I am forever grateful.

Then, when you think of the rest of the club’s volunteers and support staff; the support I have received on the coaching side has given myself and this club a true platform to create something that I hope represents our soccer community proudly. I know these are memories I will hold close to me for the rest of my life.

Frankly, I don’t know if I was deserving of an opportunity as special as this one when it came my way, but I tried my best everyday to repay this club for their trust. I hope when people connected to the club look at these past three years they can carry the same pride I feel. What we have all built together is special, and I’m just incredibly grateful I was fortunate enough to play a part in this great club’s story.

To the players and coaches that I have worked with these past three seasons, thank you. What we have accomplished together is special to the story of the local soccer community. I hope you all take as much pride in that as I do, and I hope this club continues to progress and develop as a platform for players and coaches in our area to show we are a hotbed of soccer ability.

Most importantly, to the support, your backing and embracing of me has moved me from day one. I have continuously been humbled and moved. I was a kid that moved to Bremerton at 13, didn’t know a single person, and have built lifelong relationships through this game and community. This club is an extension of that, and the way the POFC support backed me is a feeling I will always hold close to me. I could continue to talk about how fortunate I have been but in the end, just know I am forever appreciative of this support, the community that comes with it, and the memories we have made together. I look forward to being in the stands supporting this club with you all. I love ya, POFC, thank you for everything.

Statement From General Manager Sam Ironside

Even though he lives with the curse of being Scottish, it has been an absolute privilege to build this club with Pat and I consider him a great friend of mine.  We have come a long way from the day one meeting in the Fred Meyer Starbucks in Port Orchard my friend. It’s been one hell of a ride and I have enjoyed every pre-game and post-game chat, sifting through kit designs each season, every long away day drive, every registration session that went far longer than we ever wanted it to, every off season conversation that we’ve had along the way.   

Whilst his presence and quality will definitely be missed, his imprint has allowed POFC to become an established club and one that players, fans and staff have looked forward to being a part of year after year after year and will continue to look forward to being a part of. The passion, the drive, the work ethic from not only himself but what he hammers into players and myself at times has been of a different level and we aren’t where we are (two times champions and three times finalists) without everything he has brought to the club. You make PO better, you make me better and I appreciate everything you’ve done for the club in the last three years.  An absolute legend.

Statement From Operations Manager Tyler Brown

Not sure I’ve really processed the situation yet. Trying to find the words to explain what a guy like Patrick Leonard means to POFC, our community, our fans, our players, our staff & volunteers, and…myself. Not an easy task.

Before meeting Pat through POFC, I only knew him vaguely as ‘that CK coach that keeps winning.’ Over the years since the birth of POFC, the relationship grew and grew. Personally cannot thank him enough for the things he’s done for me in that time. He’s always reminding me that there’s a lot more to coaching than the things I stress about. Lots of things I’ve been excelling at. Things that get blocked from your own mind sometimes, and it takes a great coach, or, a good friend, to help remind you that you’re doing just fine.

While I am sad he is leaving, I know he is doing it for the right reasons. And he made a point to come talk to everyone on the staff face to face. That’s the kind of guy Pat is. Always intentional, and a true family man. Thankful for everything. Definitely gave us a pretty good start to our trophy cabinet, that’s for sure.

Gotta roll with it, gotta take your time. Gotta say what ya say and don’t let anybody get in your way.

Statement From Club Coordinator David Falk

Patrick is someone you don’t say goodbye to. Instead you say ‘until we meet again’ or ‘see you soon.’

All Port Orchard Football Club has ever known is Pat as our gaffer. Now he and the rest of us will help the club transition to its next era. Pat will be a source of information as we proceed. He’s agreed to assist the process in any way he can.

It’s a great thing to start up a club for a community. It’s even greater when you fuel the growth of that club with passion like Pat has. To lead us to three straight finals and two league trophies? It’s the stuff of dreams. But there was hard work and personal sacrifice behind those moments.

We all know how good we’ve had it when it comes to starting POFC. We truly care for each other and love the club’s mission of providing a place for our local elite players to compete. What a fun stretch of years and a great staff to experience it with!

Partings are emotional. There’s no getting around it. Lucky for us we’ll still see Pat in the Kitsap soccer scene, doing his thing with the Central Kitsap High program.

See you soon, Pat.