Girls Only Program (G.O.)

Taking action to increase Girls participation in Soccer!

G.O. - Girls Only Program Underway! 
Columbus Force SC is thrilled to kick off the first year of the Girls Only Program (G.O.)! This initiative is designed to provide a dedicated space for young female athletes, fostering their growth both on and off the field by our female staff.

As Girls Only Program Director Kirby Valle emphasizes:

"The importance of safe, inclusive, and fun environments for young girls within sports is paramount in their decisions to continue to play and love exercise later in life. My goal for this program is to help the players thrive in the power of being strong and capable female athletes, but also to build a community of like-minded and supportive girls around them. I'm passionate about creating more opportunities for the girls in Central Ohio!"

We can’t wait to see how the players grow throughout the rest of the session and how they continue to embrace the values of strength, creativity, and teamwork that this program was built upon!

A Note From Our Girls & Boys Directors

By: Kirby Valle & Ben Neer

Boys Director, ECNL-RL Director & U13-U15 Boys Director

Winter 2 training has officially kicked off, and there is an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm throughout Columbus Force. After a well-deserved holiday break, it's clear that all our teams are coming back re-energized and ready to hit the ground running. The training atmosphere is stronger than ever, with both players and coaches fully committed to putting in the work. Everyone is locked in, focused, and motivated as we approach the next phase of the season. We understand that preparation is a crucial part of our club's success, and it's evident that our players and staff are all dedicated to achieving great results.

At CFSC, we are deeply committed to our core values: Commitment. Humility. Integrity. Respect. Passion. (#CHIRP). We’ve created an environment where players can continue to grow, improve, and enjoy the game. We consistently encourage our players to make the most of every session they attend. It has been truly inspiring to witness the tremendous buy-in across the entire club, and this success is a direct result of the collaborative effort from everyone involved in establishing and maintaining the high standards we aim to uphold.

It's important to recognize that creating the right culture and standards is not just the responsibility of the players—it’s a collective effort that involves everyone within the club. Coaches, players, and staff alike are all working toward the same goal: cultivating an environment that promotes growth, dedication, and success. This shared commitment to excellence is what sets Columbus Force apart, and it’s what will continue to drive us forward. Together, we are building something special. I am confident that by maintaining this collective effort and dedication, we will achieve continued success in all that we do.

As we move forward, we will continue to push the boundaries of what we can accomplish, ensuring that Columbus Force remains a place where players thrive and the pursuit of excellence is at the core of everything we do.

Girls U16-U19

The U16-U19 girls teams have been very busy since the start of 2025 with four training opportunities each week.  Currently, the teams are training with their team coaches once per week at TOCA in our indoor space and once per week at outdoor synthetic turf fields (winter weather permitting).  Sessions 3 & 4 are a combination of TOCA training for an hour and an hour session with our Director of Sports Performance, Mario Suarez.  The ability to offer strength and conditioning as part of the winter training is a unique feature that we are able to offer at Columbus Force SC, and our players are already seeing great benefit from Mario’s programs! 

Outdoor training at local high school synthetic turf fields have been at a premium with the heavy winter weather after the holiday season.  Teams are ready to get outside (& bundle up) to apply the concepts learned this winter to a full-sized field.  Several teams have scrimmages scheduled against local competition, so fingers crossed for some cooperative weather. 

Training at TOCA has been centered around skill and technical development while continually moving into tactical concepts.  Spatial awareness, movement off the ball, decision-making, and speed of play are crucial components right now and we’re seeing great coachability in our groups so far.  Additionally, classroom tactical training is helping advance the way our players view the game and helping see the coaches’ visions.  Keep up the great work girls!   

Leading off the 2025 spring season, Coach Pat Ferguson and the 2006/07 E64-R team participated in the Tennessee Soccer Club College Showcase on January 24-26th in Murfreesboro, TN.  Although it was chilly, it was still favorable weather compared to the frigid temperatures Ohio has seen in the last month.  Prior to this showcase, the team had no opportunities to train on a full size field due to the cold temperatures and snow.  Despite this, the team played well and made adjustments as the showcase ran over the three day period.  A strong start saw the team pick up a 2-0 win on Friday vs Salvo SC 06/07G Orange with goals by Giada Gerosa and Alana Snyder (08G E64 R).  On Saturday, they played well despite running into the buzzsaw of the showcase champion, TSC Murfreesboro 06/07G, falling 0-4.  On Sunday, the team had a strong performance with a 1-2 loss vs TSC Williamson 06/07 with the goal coming from Giada Gerosa for her 2nd of the showcase.  Solid start to the spring season!

Looking Ahead

Showcase season is upon us and the 06/07 E64-R team isn’t the only team getting in on the act.  See the February/March showcase schedule below and what we’re looking forward to in each. 

February 15-17th

Two teams will be heading to the Penn Fusion Girls Winter Showcase:  2006/07 E64-R & 2008 E64-R (Pat Ferguson).  The teams will make the trek to Eastern PA (near Philadelphia) to face some great competition from the New York and Northeastern U.S. regions.  Great event for collegiate scouting and raising the level in preparation for E64 league competition.

February 21st-23rd

Four teams will be heading to the Ohio Elite College & Junior Showcase:  2009 E64-R (Travis Morrow), 2008/09 Blue NPL (Dennis Buckler/Macy Torres), 2010 E64-R (Kirby Valle/Kelly Bryan), & 2010 Blue NPL (Dennis Buckler/Macy Torres).  This is a great opportunity to play regional teams and apply the concepts learned so far in our winter training.  We hope the schedules allow for teams to support each other in the greater Cincinnati area! 

March 21st-23rd

Pat Ferguson’s 2006/07 E64-R & 2008 E64-R teams will unite again and travel to Glen Allen, VA for The Jefferson Cup.  This showcase is one of the oldest and most respected in the club soccer circuit.  Our teams will get to compete with programs from the southern and east coast U.S. regions and be seen by a wide range of college coaches. 

Dennis Buckler and Macy Torres’s 2008/09 Blue NPL & 2010 Blue NPL teams will head down I-71 South again and tackle the Kings Hammer Turf Classic in the greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky areas.  The turf fields will ensure games regardless of weather conditions, and the teams will be ready to compete.

E64 RL & NPL League Games

E64 Regional League games are slated to begin the weekend of March 16th for our 2006/07, 2008, 2009 & 2010 squads against Elite FC.  NPL League games will begin on March 15th for 2008/09 girls against the Cleveland Kickers.  The 2010 NPL girls will start the NPL  season on April 5th vs North FC. 

Coaches Corner

Girls College Symposium Recap!

A huge thank you to everyone who attended our Girls College Symposium! It was an incredible evening filled with valuable insights into the recruiting process and the demands of playing at the collegiate level.



We are especially grateful to our panelists for taking the time out of their busy schedules to share their knowledge and experiences with our players:

•  Gavin MacLeod – Associate Head Coach & Recruiting Coordinator, Ohio State University Women's Soccer
• Maddy Ireton – Assistant Coach, Ashland University Women's Soccer
• Sarah Brink – Head Coach, Denison University Women's Soccer

Your guidance and expertise are truly appreciated, and we are thankful for the opportunity to learn from you. Events like this help our players better understand the path to collegiate soccer and what it takes to succeed at the next level!

This summer also marks the introduction of our first women’s Ohio Valley Premier League (OVPL) team, coached by Evan Wherley.  This will provide a competitive platform for collegiate club players, incoming college athletes, and high-level club players a chance to train and compete during the summer months.  We hope to see some of our rising junior and senior girls joining this incredible opportunity.  Please contact Even Wherley for more information - ewherley@tocafootball.com.

Let’s go Force!!

Kelly Bryan

#CHIRP

Boys U16-U19

Visit Raleigh Showcase

Our Columbus Force U15-U19 squads had a mixed but valuable experience at the Visit Raleigh Showcase, showing a mix of resilience, growth, and learning across their respective age groups.

The Columbus Force ECNL-RL teams’ participation in the Visit Raleigh Showcase was a valuable experience across all four age groups, providing each team with the opportunity to compete against high-level opposition, gain critical exposure to college coaches, and identify key areas for improvement. While the results varied, standout performances from the U16s and U15s highlighted their growth, and the U17s and U19s gained invaluable exposure to top-tier soccer that will contribute to their development, and attract attention from college recruiters. Each team will use the lessons learned to continue progressing through the season, with the overall takeaway being that a strong foundation for success is in place across the board.

SE Tennessee Showcase

The Columbus Force U15 and U16 teams made an impressive mark at the SE Tennessee Showcase, showcasing their talent, resilience, and determination throughout the competition. Both squads demonstrated exceptional teamwork, skill, and tactical awareness, each coming away with impressive results that reflect their hard work and commitment to excellence.

The U16s, crowned champions, exemplified top-tier play in all facets of the game, while the U15s, finishing as runners-up, showed that they have the skill and resilience to compete at the highest levels of their age group. The collective success of both teams highlights the depth of talent within the Columbus Force organization, and underscores the bright future ahead for these young athletes. With both teams gaining valuable experience and exposure, they are poised to continue growing, developing, and competing for titles in the seasons to come.

Looking Ahead and Training

As we approach the remaining events of the season with the ECNL-RL and NPL squads, we are excited for the Circle City, GLA Spring, and Blue-Chip College Showcases. These competitions will be key opportunities for our players to refine their skills, compete at the highest level, and gain valuable exposure to college coaches. Each showcase presents a unique challenge, but we’re confident our teams will rise to the occasion with hard work and determination.

We also want to sincerely thank our families for their patience and support, especially through the tough weather conditions this winter. Your understanding and commitment have been essential to our success, and we deeply appreciate your efforts.

Looking ahead, we’re excited for the upcoming showcases, knowing they’ll help prepare our teams for State Cup. Let’s continue pushing forward together as we head into the final stretch!

Vamos Force!

Boys U13-U15

As we move into Winter 2 training, we've seen excellent turnout at all of our training sessions. The teams are preparing for the Spring season, and the energy is high. The overall atmosphere is exactly what you hope for as a director. It's always exciting to see the players reunite after the holiday break and get back to training together.

At Columbus Force, one area where we truly stand out is our focus on player promotion within the club. Player development is a priority for us, and we are committed to placing players on teams that match their skill level. Since the Fall season, we've promoted three players from the U13-U15B age groups to higher-level teams. We take pride in celebrating our players' successes and will continue to reward them when coaches and directors recognize the need for it. If a player is showing signs of needing more of a challenge but isn't yet ready to be moved up, we'll provide them with opportunities during training or even potential gameplay to help them continue growing.

Here are three players that have been promoted:

Bakr Saad

2012B (U13)

Moved to 2012B Blue

ECNL-RL Boys Update

All of our ECNL-RL teams are currently in the midst of winter training, preparing for upcoming showcases and league play. Prior to winter training, both the 2012B (U13) and 2011B (U14) teams did an outstanding job kicking off the Fall season and representing Columbus Force. Looking ahead, the 2012B will compete in the Jefferson Cup in March, while the 2011B will take part in the Circle City College Showcase at the end of March. We’re excited for these events and confident that both teams will continue to demonstrate their talent and dedication on the field.

Player Recognition:

We want to recognize our players from the ECNL-RL platform for their exceptional development. The first three players are currently participating in the Columbus Crew Pre-Formation program, working hard to earn a spot in the Academy. We’re proud to support their growth and look forward to seeing them continue to reach new heights. These players have represented Columbus Force at a high level, and we’re impressed with their progress.

The players to be recognized are:

Dileh Sowa 

2011B ECNL-RL

Cody Richards (2011B ECNL-RL) and Jason Addo (2010B ECNL-RL) have been selected to participate in the US Youth Soccer ODP Inter-Regional Event in Orlando, FL. This prestigious event gathers top players from each age group across all regions to compete and showcase their skills. Regional staff will evaluate players throughout the event, and standout performers will have the opportunity to be invited to the USYS ODP National Select Team.

Roman Mazzoli from the 2011B ECNL-RL team has just returned from competing in the Gold Coast International Futsal Tournament in Australia. He was selected by United Futsal to join players from across the USA for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which featured over 250 teams from around the world. We are excited to watch Roman and all of our players continue to excel as they strive for greater achievements.

Roman Mazzoli

2011B ECNL-RL

Looking Ahead: League Play & Upcoming Showcases

Our 2007/06B, 2008B, 2009B, and 2010B teams participated in several showcases leading into winter training. The 2008B and 2007/06B teams competed in the FC Delco Fall Showcase, while all four teams took part in the Visit Raleigh College Showcase. These were both challenging events that greatly contributed to building team chemistry and preparing for the bulk of the season.



Additionally, our RL high school teams are preparing for league play against OESA, Cincy Elite, and Blast FC during the last two weekends of February. These teams will also participate in upcoming showcases, including the Circle City College Showcase and Blue Chip. We are excited to see all of our teams continue to represent the club with dedication and excellence as they strive for success.

Girls U13-U15

Winter Training: U13-U15 Girls' Teams

Our teams are now well into the second phase of winter training, a critical time of year when we refine key concepts, emphasize technical precision, and push for excellence in tactical understanding. The players have embraced the grind, working hard to improve individually and collectively. This period is about preparing them to execute under pressure, develop their soccer IQ, and become more dynamic in all areas of the game.

Here’s a closer look at the progress and highlights from this winter season:

2012 Academy

Coaches Erin and Ric have continued to guide the players through the challenging transition from 9v9 to 11v11 play—one of the most pivotal stages in their development. This shift comes with larger fields, bigger goals, and more expansive gameplay, requiring players to adapt both tactically and physically. The coaching staff has focused on instilling the principles of positional play, spatial awareness, and coordinated movement to ensure the team thrives on the full-sized pitch.

The players have shown incredible determination in training, embracing new challenges and working tirelessly to improve their technique and decision-making under pressure. Despite the limitations of indoor training, they’ve displayed resilience, consistently pushing their limits and enhancing their game understanding. The strides they’ve made in mastering their roles within the formation have been impressive and bode well for their continued growth.

2012 E64RL

Coach Kirby’s 2012 E64 squad is gearing up for their first competitive tests this winter, including scrimmages at Olentangy Liberty and the prestigious Ohio Elite Showcase in February. Building on last season’s successes, the team has committed to elevating their performance in high-pressure scenarios. Focus areas this winter include improving speed of play, recognizing overloads in wide areas, and executing line-breaking passes in the final third.

The players have worked with immense dedication, striving to improve with each session. Their efforts have been evident in their sharpness during training matches and their ability to retain and apply tactical concepts. The energy and discipline they’ve shown promise a strong showing in the upcoming competitions, and they’re eager to showcase the progress they’ve made this winter.

2011 Blue

Coach Danica’s 2011 Blue team continues to impress, having strengthened an already talented roster with the addition of a player who brings both athleticism and a solid tactical understanding. The focus this winter has been on fine-tuning tactical awareness, improving movement off the ball, and refining their ability to read the game and anticipate play. The coaching staff has challenged the team to think two steps ahead, enhancing their ability to react quickly in different phases of play.

The players’ commitment to hard work during training has been remarkable. They’ve embraced the grind, dedicating themselves to perfecting their skills in passing, finishing, and defensive positioning. Their consistency and willingness to adapt have allowed them to make tremendous strides, and they’re well-positioned for success as they approach the spring season.

2011 E64RL

The 2011 E64 team has bolstered their lineup with talented additions, further enhancing an already competitive squad. Following a strong start last season, the team is preparing to build on that momentum with a big push this spring, beginning with the Ohio Elite Showcase. Their winter training has focused on maintaining a high intensity, improving tactical flexibility, and developing chemistry within the group.

Throughout this phase of training, the players have risen to the challenge of exceeding their previous performances. The emphasis on first-touch quality, transition play, and maintaining compact defensive shapes has helped the team develop a well-rounded approach to the game. Their drive to improve each session has set a high standard, and they’re eager to translate their hard work into success on the field.

Each team’s dedication to their training this winter has been truly inspiring. These players continue to embrace challenges, elevate their skills, and embody the values of Columbus Force.

Boys U10-U12

We are excited to welcome back players, staff, and family to what is shaping up to be another exciting year of soccer here at Columbus Force! Over the past few months the age group has been hard at work focusing on improving their technical skills whether in team training or from our Supplemental Programming. At these young, formal ages, getting touches on the ball is the most important part of their development especially as we are stuck inside until the lovely Ohio weather allows us to get outside. When walking through the facility, you can see players juggling while waiting for their team training, participating in TOCA sessions, and always asking their coach if training is already over! It is great to see the hunger and desire from players to want to play all of the time! 

As we continue to prepare our teams for their respective spring seasons, it is vital that we as a staff and parents take the time to educate our players on what it means to compete both within the training environment as well as in games. Focusing on our core values of C.H.I.R.P. (Commitment, Humility, Integrity, Respect, and Passion) will aid players in their growth to being a competitive athlete both on and off the field. Fostering that competitive mindset takes time and is one of our goals as an age group to showcase what that looks like to our players. Understanding that it is okay to fail in pursuit of your goals as it is an opportunity to learn as well as improve for the next time you face that particular challenge. This mental barrier, or block, is prevalent amongst all of our teams especially here at the younger ages. 

So how do we support our players in improving this area of their development?  Help them create a Growth Mindset! Re-define what success is to them. Maybe it is completing 8 out of 10 of your passes in a game rather than having to score a goal every game. Learn from the competition. What did those that I am playing against do to get the better of me? Perhaps they dribbled in front of me rather than beside me so I could not make a challenge on them. Connect winning with effort. You have to work hard for the things you want. Effort is not just making 3 sprints a game but rather making that fourth sprint and finally getting past your defender to score. The last thing we can do to support our players? Practice at home! This does not mean they are always with a ball (though as coaches we would love that!) but perhaps having a family game night where they compete against mom, dad, brother, sister and so on. I know personally that instilled a competitive mindset in me as I always wanted to be better than my siblings in everything we did! 

Putting in the hard work away from team training and in these various areas pays off in the end! Over the winter months we have recognized 3 players who have demonstrated the tenacity, the hunger, and the desire to improve, as well as representing our core values, that they have been promoted into the next team within their age group! Congratulations to Declan Mooi (2013B Pre-ECNL), Nirvaan Musyaju (2014B Blue), and Jude Issa (2015B Blue)! 

Jude Issa

2015B Blue 

Check out some shots of our Columbus Force SC teams at the 43rd Annual Force All Star Indoor Tournament in Cleveland!

U10 - U12 Girls and Technical Director

U10 - U12 Girls' Staff Holiday Outing! 

It was such a great time being able to get the staff together, outside of the game and enjoy each other's company in some fun competition of axe throwing! This make up of fantastic human beings work so hard at enhancing our young, female players! I am very proud to be able to work with these wonderful coaches and very much enjoyed being able to have some fun over the holiday break! They all do so much for our families and their dedication and passion are truly unchallenged. Thank you for all that you do for the club, these players and their families! 

USL - Youth Training Winter 2 Session Underway! 

We were very excited to begin the first year with our first USL - Youth teams over the summer of 2024. It was such a great experience for our players and staff that we were able to keep the USL - Youth training going over the winter months (November - March)! On Wednesday, January 22nd, kicked off our Winter 2 session for our USL - Youth training! We welcomed back the 2012/13 Boys as well as the 2012/13 Girls and were very happy to welcome a new group, our 2014/15 Girls! 

The groups got off to a fantastic start in their focus, determination and dedication to their continued soccer development! The program focuses on providing players with focalized ideas in our principles of play, while also allowing players to be provided a problem to solve. Within those solutions, players are guided to better understand the Force way, but with ingenuity and more comfortability with being creative in how they look to play the game! 

We are very excited to see how the rest of the session plays out and how the players absorb the styles in which the program provides. 

Boys & Girls U8-U9

Exciting Updates from the U8-U9 Boys and Girls Program!

We’re thrilled to share some exciting updates as we navigate through Winter 2 and gear up for the spring season. Several of our teams are making big strides, with the 2017 Boys Premier and 2017 Boys Blue teams both advancing from playing 5v5 to 7v7 this spring. The 2017 Girls Premier  team has also made the jump from 5v5 to 7v7, reflecting their continued growth and development. Additionally, the 2017 Boys White team has moved up a division within the 5v5 format, showcasing their hard work and progress.

On the girls' side, we’re excited to announce the expansion of our program with the addition of a new 2016 Girls team, which will be coached by the talented Macy Torres. Macy brings extensive experience and a deep passion for player development, and we’re thrilled to have her at the helm of this exciting new team. This addition underscores our commitment to providing opportunities for young female athletes to grow their skills, compete at a high level, and foster a love for the game. The energy and enthusiasm around our growing girls’ program is a testament to the bright future ahead, and we’re excited to see this team thrive in the upcoming season.

Our U8-U9 program has experienced remarkable growth, achieving an impressive 11% increase in player numbers. This continued expansion is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of our players, coaches, and families, and it highlights the vibrant and supportive community we’ve built together.

We are also proud to recognize the following players who have been promoted so far this season: Josh Danziger, Nolan Savre, Matthew Hollandsworth, Victoria Biglione, Rushil Bidari, Zubin Indurti, Henry Schacht, Elliot Champer, Vaileen Valencia, Maxwell Smith, Sloane Wiley and Shreyan Kammari. Their hard work, determination, and skill have earned them these well-deserved advancements, and we can’t wait to see their continued impact on the field.

Additionally, we’re excited to offer supplemental opportunities to help our players continue their development this season:

• Intermediate GK Training: Register here
  - Sundays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Force Fridays 7v7 Sessions: Register here
  - Wednesdays 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  - Fridays 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Stay tuned, as we’ll be announcing even more opportunities for camps, clinics, and other supplemental programming in the coming weeks. Our goal is to provide a variety of avenues for players to refine their skills, deepen their understanding of the game, and stay engaged year-round. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure an exciting and successful season!

Juniors Programs!

By: Jessica Shelton

Our Juniors Soccer Program is off to a fantastic start, and we couldn’t be more excited about the incredible turnout and enthusiasm we’ve seen so far! 

The past 2 weeks, our junior players have been working hard on the fundamentals of the game—dribbling, passing, defending and shooting. These key skills are the building blocks of confident players and an essential step in developing the next generation of stars for our club.



We’re thrilled to announce that our Winter 2 session has brought in an amazing number of participants, showing the strength and excitement surrounding soccer in our community. The energy on the field during the first two weeks has been electric, and we’re proud to see so many young players eager to learn and grow.

At the heart of everything we do is our dedication to ensuring players grow in a fun, supportive environment. We want every child to love the game while developing their skills, building confidence, and fostering teamwork and sportsmanship. 

As part of our commitment to inclusivity, we’re also offering open spots in our girls-only classes:

• U7/U8 Girls: Monday nights, 7–8 PM
• U5/U6 Girls: Tuesday nights, 6–7 PM

These sessions are a fantastic opportunity for girls to learn the game in an encouraging atmosphere while forming new friendships, building confidence, and enjoying the sport.  If you know someone who might be interested, we’d love to have them join us! 

If classes are full, please add your name to the waitlist, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you in a future session. 

Thank you for your support of our program. We are thrilled to be developing your children’s love and passion for the game. Together, we’re building not only skills but a lifelong connection to soccer both on and off the field.

Visit out Juniors Academy webpage for more information and to register! Reach out to  jshelton@tocafootball.com with any questions!  We look forward to seeing your young athletes on the field!

Specialty Departments

Goalkeeping, Sports Performance & College Recruitment

Boys & Girls Goalkeeping

Upcoming events:

Last chance to get signed up for Intermediate & Advanced Supplemental Training!

Intermediate goalkeeper training is for those who want to learn the position or polish up some skills they already have. These classes will involve the basics such as:

• Contour catch
• Basket/Scoop catch
• Diving
• Punting and goalkicks!

Each session we will test the goalkeepers skills by taking live shots in the game we like to call keeper wars. Goalkeepers will go head to head trying to score on each other to try and win the game.

Advanced goalkeeper training is to push yourself as a goalkeeper. Working in advanced techniques as well as advanced footwork. Topics include:

• Explosive footwork
• Diving/Extension diving
• Collapse diving/High diving
• Back to bar saves
• 1v1’s 
• Reaction saves

Sessions will end with Keeper wars. Testing your shot stopping ability and applying new techniques learned. Having keepers go head to head for some friendly competition! 

Goalkeeper Spotlights:

Goalkeeper Vocab

Ball-line

What is a ball-line?: A ball line is an imaginary line through the center of the ball and center of the goal. 

How does a goalkeeper use it?

The goalkeeper should move with the ball-line in possession and out of possession. Out of possession remaining in the ball-line allows for the goalkeeper to reduce goal scoring angles when appropriately off their line. In possession, if the goalkeeper has the ability to get into their set position on the ball-line at the right timing on the shot, the goalkeeper will put themselves in the best possible position to make any necessary save. 

Sports Performance

Our Sports Performance program for our high performance teams is a full go! 

Our players go through a 10-week program to prepare their bodies physically and mentally for the upcoming season. As players know, in order to achieve the highest potential they need to take care of all pillars of the game. At practice players get a lot of tactical and technical applications throughout the season to prepare for games, showcases, and tournaments. Players must also train their physical and mental wellbeing as much as they do the tactical and technical. Hitting all 4 pillars achieves the holistic approach of player development that helps each individual attain their goals. 

Our goal for this program is to teach our players lifelong positive habits of commitment, humility, integrity  respect, and passion. When they go on in their next stage of development whether that be high school, college, or life they understand good habits and the focus, determination, and dedication it takes to achieve their goals. 

Our 10-week program hits 3 different phases: accumulation, intensification, and realization. 

The accumulation phase works on enhancing work capacity (building the engine), correcting movements patterns in the weight room, and technical efficiency in running form. The intensification phase focuses on muscular strength building in the weight room, and force production on the field (sprinting, etc). We do this through what is called progressive overload. As the players' patterns get better, we add intensity through volume (reps or added weight) to achieve the adaptation of strength preparing for the next phase. The realization phase is the conversion of strength to power. This is where we take the movements built on the field and in the weight room, and change our intensity block to hit power based movements and become strong and powerful or explosive. 

All these phases lead into the players ability to be faster, stronger, more agile, more durable, more injury resilient while achieving our overall goal so our players are better people on and off the field."

College Recruitment

Start with the end in mind. I’ve often told club players this when they start the recruiting journey. They sometimes misunderstand the “end” to mean where they will play collegiate soccer. In other words, arriving on campus as a first year student-athlete is the “end”; journey complete. That is far too short sighted. When I speak of starting with the end in mind, I am looking beyond their time in college. I am asking young people, to the degree they’re capable of, to view their collegiate undergraduate athletic experience simply as a four or five year window in the path of life – toward their own personal “end”. If they at least make this attempt, or view playing soccer in college from this perspective, it will provide much needed guidance in finding the best possible collegiate fit.

EDUCATION

From O’Bannon vs. NCAA to Northwestern Football players attempting to unionize, the past 10+ years has seen the NCAA undergo major changes, particularly at the D1 level. Statistically speaking, most high school players will not play D1 soccer. So why should all the change at the Division 1 level matter to most high school soccer players looking for a collegiate home? Well, in my opinion, there will be a trickle-down effect that impacts all division within the NCAA. Here are a few, albeit brief, summations of proposals that have passed or are pending that may be coming to D1 in 2025. This information is readily available to anyone with a computer of course 😊

• The NCAA passed roster and scholarship changes for Division 1 soccer, which include limiting roster size to 28 players. I included the word “limiting”, because many D1 programs have more than 28 players.
• NCAA D1 programs can now offer scholarships to every player on a sport's roster up to the new roster limits. This doesn’t mean they will offer a scholarship to all 28 players however. It simply means the NCAA allows it. Some universities will increase their scholarship budget, while others will not.
• The new policy removes scholarship caps and replaces them with roster limitations. Previously, soccer programs were capped at a certain number of equivalency scholarships (14 for women & 9.9 for men).
• The new model may require the elimination of walk-on athletes.
• The changes will take effect starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
• The elimination of Head Count sports, thus making all Olympic sports equivalency sports.

BEST PRACTICES

In the last newsletter, I mentioned the artificial nature of the recruiting process. My primary point was to highlight the parameters that are put in place which can make it difficult to clearly identify which college soccer program is the best fit. Limitations are placed on college coaches by the NCAA as to when they may contact a prospective student-athlete, what type of recruiting material may be sent, when those materials may be sent, when scholarship offers may be made, etc. In doing so, it limits a high school student-athletes capability to “get to know” the coaching staff, the program and to a lesser degree, the university (side note: I am of the opinion that at D1 & D2 institutions, the NCAA should deregulate all areas of the recruiting process – the bell has been rung anyway). One of the most important steps in bridging this knowledge gap is a campus visit. Ideally, there are some steps that should be included in a campus visit. I am not only a college coach, but I am also a father to former college athletes (albeit not soccer players however). Seeing the recruiting process from both points of view, I’ve included some considerations on the topic of campus visits. This is of course a non-exhaustive list.

1. Incorporate casual tours: If you are traveling (not just with your soccer team) to an area of the country that you could see yourself attending a university, try to incorporate a casual tour of the campus. You don’t necessarily need to meet with anyone. You could simply drive or walk around the campus in order to get a feel for it. Sometimes you will get an immediate impression of “yes, I could be here for 4 years” or “ummmm, no”. 
2. Meet with a member of the coaching staff: This is easily said, but not always easily done, particularly if you are not yet on their recruiting radar. The higher the level you aspire to, the more difficult it may be. It doesn’t have to be with the head coach. If you need help establishing a connection to set up a meeting with the staff, enlist the help of the admissions office, a respected club coach or perhaps an alum of the program.
3. Meet with current players on the team (away from the staff): In my opinion, when it comes to choosing the right soccer program, this is the most important step. When speaking with current student-athletes, their experiences may be different. For example, if you are speaking with a player who plays 90 minutes a game, that player may present their soccer experience differently than the player who doesn’t get on the field. That’s why you hear some players say “I love the coach and this program”, and others not so much. Your future experience will probably fall somewhere in between. Regardless, you will get the most accurate depiction of what it is like to be a member of the program and campus community from members of the team.
4. Meet with admissions & financial aid: This is not the most obvious step. It is important however, as they will be able to speak accurately to academic and financial considerations. This will remove surprises later.
5. Be prepared: When meeting with the aforementioned groups, don’t be a lump. Do your homework and ask prepared questions. It is okay to have a list written down. One thing that dissuades me from recruiting a player is if they show up for a visit and know nothing about our program, ask no questions and simply sit in my office in a semi-catatonic state. And while parents will understandably have questions, it is a red flag if, when meeting with a recruit, the parent does all the talking. I am recruiting the student-athlete, not the parent. In fact, some college coaches will not recruit a player if their parent(s) is/are overly involved.

EDITORIAL

THE BIG PICTURE

“I never felt one of our teams needed to win a national championship to validate my career as a teacher and coach.  I wasn’t obsessed with it.  Nevertheless, American society seems to recognize number one and nothing else.  It’s an uninformed and unrealistic mind-set.  For intercollegiate athletics to be worthwhile, there must be appreciation for teams and players that do their best, even if doing so doesn’t result in championships”

Dean Smith

Former North Carolina men’s basketball head coach

Retired with 879 victories (at the time a national record)

2 National Championships

11 Final Fours

96.6% graduation rate

This quotation by Dean Smith, former coach of Michael Jordan, almost sounds naïve, even overly idealistic. This could be especially true in light of where Division 1 athletics are today – win or you’re out. And if you think the “win or you’re out” philosophy applies only to D1, I would ask you, who is being naïve now? Regardless of the time, or the collegiate level, I still agree with Dean Smith. When I meet with recruits and their parents, I tell them there are two levels to what I do as a coach, be that club or college. Level 1 deals primarily with recruiting, systems of play, on field training, wins and losses, etc. Essentially, it is the most visible aspects of coaching, and the one in which we as coaches are, understandably, most often judged. Level 2 is a deeper and more significant level. In this level coaches, like Dean Smith’s quote, should be providing perspective. We should consistently synthesize both levels into a coherent whole. Most of the time, young people are not concerned about the second level. This does not excuse us as coaches (and parents) from our responsibility of making them aware of it. As Mark Twain once said “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” We may not see an immediate payoff from providing perspective. In fact, I’ve never had one of my 5 kids immediately say to me, following a perspective providing moment “wow dad, you’re so wise, now I understand life”. Chances are however, and this is supported by data, that it will indeed make a long term impact.

 A few habits we should expect from players which integrate Level 1 and Level 2:

• Learning to work collaboratively with teammates. It’s not all about you and it isn’t always someone else’s fault.
• Learning to win with class and lose with grace.
• Be respectful of officials.
• Be punctual. And if you’re late, don’t walk up to the training field when your teammates have already started – run!
• Give a full effort in training and games.
• Don’t settle for average. If you aren’t a starter on the team, get better! Don’t blame the coach.
• Do extra work on your own, either prior to or post training.
• Be process oriented, not product oriented.

QUOTE:  “Pressure squeezes effort out of winners and excuses out of losers”

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