Brandon Ponchak is always up for a challenge. He has gained a reputation as the go-to coach in non-traditional markets. We are talking about places where soccer is still gaining ground, in markets without professional teams, and in places where people say soccer can’t grow. You might as well call him “The Johnny Appleseed of Soccer” for all the work he has done to push the beautiful game forward. “I really enjoy going to non-traditional markets because there are always hungry minds and
“Find your passion.” “Chase your passion with every fiber of your being.” “Never let anybody outwork you.” Three pieces of advice from Coach Joe Zakowicz. Three lessons he shares with his players. Zakowicz is one of the good guys in the American game. Someone of great faith, character, and passion for the sport we all love. He is the mastermind behind both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Ave Maria University in Florida. He also recently signed on as the head coach of
One thing is for certain. The University of Akron is known for soccer. Caleb Porter helped put the Zips on the soccer map, but the women’s program is now the program on the rise. The program experienced an encouraging 2012 fall season that showed progress on all fronts, including setting the program record for attendance on September 28th. But the biggest reason for optimism is a strong coaching staff, led by head coach Vernon Croft and assistant Keri Sarver. Many regard Sarver
The Columbus Crew have experienced success at every level. Everybody knows that the Black & Gold were the 2002 U.S. Open Cup Champions and the 2008 MLS Cup Champions. But, their youth system has been just as prolific, having been the 2010 and 2011 Super-20 National Champions as well as the 2010 and 2012 McGuire Cup U-19 National Champions. Even more success at the lower levels has made them one of the top youth setups in North America. Don’t
Andy Hoggarth is a rising star in the world of coaching. The head coach of NPSL side AFC Cleveland and both men’s and women’s soccer at Thiel College, Hoggarth is regarded as one of the best young coaches in the Midwest. He is known as a skilled tactician that gets the most out of each and every player. He helped Cleveland advance to the posteason in 2012, claiming hardware in the form of the Rust Belt Cup and the Great
Chase Neidig is a Renaissance man in American soccer, having served in every single capacity in the beautiful game. He has spent time at the high school level, the pros, in grassroots movements, internationally, and now in the collegiate game. He has even served on the media and front office side of the sport. Simply put, Neidig has done it all. One thing is always constant: Neidig’s love for soccer and his drive to make it work in America. An eternal optimist, the
The coaching world needs a lot more people like Florida Gulf Coast University assistant coach Danny Cepero. He is a former MLS and USL player that has taken his game and a new career in coaching to the collegiate level. Florida Gulf Coast is an emerging program with loads of potential on the national scene. Cepero couldn’t pass up an opportunity to serve as the team’s goalkeeping coach under the expert tutelage of Head Coach Bob Butehorn. The Baldwin, NY native
Gordon Kljestan has been around the beautiful game his entire life. His father placed a soccer ball in his crib and the rest is history. Gordon became a star at Seton Hall before going on to play for the LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Cleveland City Stars, and Tampa Bay Rowdies. His incredible journey in the pros also included a stop in the MISL, playing for the New Jersey Ironmen. Now his return is to the Galaxy is in a
“I always tell them to live in the moment. It will be gone before you know it. Enjoy every minute that you can play. It could be gone tomorrow, in a week, or in four years if you are a freshman in college.” These are the words of Ohio Galaxies WPSL head coach Chris Black, one of the top young coaches in all of the Midwest. Where did this valuable lesson come from? In part it was something he learned from his high school
