The Arizona Soccer Association is pleased to announce the 2021-22 Olympic Development coaching staff.

 

Tryouts for this year's ODP will be held at the Grande Sports World on August 14th and 15th for the 05-12 age groups. ODP serves as an additional identification opportunity for those looking for additional exposure to college coaches and U.S. Soccer scouts. You can still play high school soccer and play for your club team while participating in ODP.

 

Register for ODP Tryouts

 

Following tryouts, the ASA ODP will hold pool training on October 24th, November 7th, December 4th-5th and December 18th-19th.  The 2021 ODP West Championships will be held at Reach 11 from January 7th-10th. It is at this event where players are identified and invited to the ODP West Region ID Camp and then the Boys and Girls Interregional Events. 

 

Numerous professionals from Arizona have competed in the ODP, including two-time World Cup champion Julie Ertz and MLS record holder for consecutive regular-season starts Luis Robles.  

 

2010/11 Girls

• Doug Shank (Head Coach - dougshank@azyouthsocer.org) has his USSF National "A" License and has previously coached at DI Stony Brook University.
• Raiff Gwinnett (Assistant) has his USSF National "B" License and played professionally in England for Torquay United and Weymouth United. In 2019, Raiff guided the 05 Girls to a title at the 2019 ODP West Championships. 
• Dany Gonzalez (Assistant) has his USSF National "C" License and he coached the 04 Boys to the 15U title at the 2019 ODP West Championship. 

 

2009 Girls

• Tom Hurdle (Head Coach - tomhurdle@azyouthsoccer.org) has his USSF National "B" License and is a U.S. Soccer Scout. In 2019, Hurdle guided the 2005 Girls to the 14U title at the ODP West Championships. Hurdle played collegiately at Grand Canyon University and currently coaches the men's and women's team at Scottsdale Community College. His fondest soccer memory was defeating Phoenix Rising FC in the 2nd Round of the 2018 US Open Cup with Sporting AZ FC and coaching Team USA 6v6 at the 2018 World Cup in Lisbon and 2019 World Cup in Crete. 
• Cortney Kellenaers (Assistant) has his USSF National "B" License, United Soccer Coaches Advanced National license, and his U.S. Soccer Grassroots Instructor license. He played collegiately at Kansas Wesleyan University. His fondest soccer memory was traveling to England with a regional select team to compete in tournaments when he was 14 years old. 
• Dan Soutar (Assistant) has his USSF National "C" License and has coached in the Player Development Centers in England for Southhampton FC, Arsenal FC, and West Ham United FC. 

 

2008 Girls

• Paul Lester (Head Coach - paullester@azyouthsoccer.org) has his USSF National "A" License, National Youth License, and is a regional staff coach. Additionally, he is a USSF Grassroots License instructor and first coached ODP in 1009 for Cal North and region team. As a player, Lester won the 1992 US Open Cup with San Jose Oaks Soccer Club and played indoor for San Jose Grizzlies. As a coach, Lester spent eight years with the UC Santa Cruz women's soccer team and has coached World Cup winners Julie Ertz, Tiffany Roberts, and Lorrie Fair.  
• Megan Johnston (Assistant) has her USSF National "C" License. She joins the Arizona ODP after spending the past 10 years with New Mexico's ODP. She played collegiately for Paradise Valley Community College and DII Belmont Abbey College. Megan also played for the US Deaf Women's National Team (USDWNT) from 2003-11 and won the gold medal in the 2005 and 2009 Deaflympics. Most people do not know about the Deaf Sports Federation or the US Deaf National Teams. learn more here: http://www.usdeafsoccer.com/home | https://usdeafsports.org/
• Vincent Gallegeos has his USSF National "C" License and guided his 03 girls to a State Cup title in 2021. One of his fondest soccer memories was playing futbolito in Lima, Peru. 

 

2007 Girls

• Jason Hammonds (Head Coach - jasonhammonds@azyouthsoccer.org) has his USSF National "B" License and currently coaches Casteel High School where he has guided the women's team to two state championships and four region championships in five years. 
• Trey Thompson (Assistant) has his USSF National "A" License. He coached the 03 Boys (2018) and 04 Boys (2019) to ODP West Championships titles and coached a 19U side in 2018 to an Arizona State Cup title. He played collegiately at Kansas Wesleyan University and was the 2018 Arizona Soccer Association Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. 
• Regina Cormier (Assistant) has her USSF National "C" License and played collegiately at the University of New Mexico. Regina is currently an assistant coach for the women's team at Paradise Valley CC. 

 

2006 Girls

• Roberto Garcia (Head Coach - robertogarcia@azyouthsoccer.org) has his USSF National "A" License. He coached the 02 Girls to the 17U title at the 2019 ODP West Championships. In 2020 he was named the Arizona Soccer Association Male Competitive Coach of the Year. 
• Chris Sarafini (Assistant) has his USSF National "B" License and one of his fondest soccer memories was going to Italy to watch the 2006 World Cup. 
• Kiera McMorrow (Assistant) is back for her third year as an Arizona ODP coach. She previously coached at Scottsdale Community College and her fondest soccer memory was being in Ireland for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. 

 

2005 Girls

• Beny Sanchez (Head Coach - benysanchez@azyouthsoccer.org) has his USSF National "B" License and is on the Region IV ODP Staff. His favorite team is Real Madrid. 
• Paul Barron (Assistant) has his USSF National "C" License. Paul played collegiately for Grand Canyon University and served as an assistant on the men's team from 1999-2002 and on the women's team from 1996-2015. His fondest soccer memory was defeating then ranked #1 Richland College to secure a place in the NJCAA National Tournament. 
• Holly Jones (Assistant) has her USSF National "B" License and was a four-year starter for the NAU women's soccer team. Jones holds nearly every NAU offensive record including points, career goals, game-winning goals, multiple-goal matches, and shots. She was the first female soccer player to be inducted into the NAU Hall of Fame. She previously was an Arizona ODP coach from 2005-09 and an NAU assistant coach from 2008-12. 

 

2010/11 Boys

• Steven Day (Head Coach - stevenday@azyouthsoccer.org) has his USSF National "B" License, USC Premier Diploma, and National Youth License. He played college soccer at York St. John University (UK) and is a staff coach at the ODP Region. His fondest soccer memory was traveling to France with Hayes FC and keeping a clean sheet against the Lille Academy. 
• Mark Biagi (Assistant) has his USSF National "B" License and is the first team assistant coach for USL League One, FC Tucson. He is a U.S. Soccer Scout and the 2007 Region IV head coach. 
• Logan Sanchez (Assistant) has his USSF National "C" License. He played collegiately at Concordia University and currently coaches at Park University as an assistant coach for the men's soccer program. 

 

2009 Boys

• Alex Pozo (Head Coach - alexpozo@azyouthsoccer.org) has his USSF National "A" License in addition to a National Youth License. One of his fondest soccer memories was coaching youth players for FC Barcelona-Barca Escola program in Barcelona. He is a USSF Grassroots License intructor. 
• Steven Green (Assistant) holds his USSF National "C" License. He admires Marcelo “El Loco” Bielsa and credits the famous manager for tactical inspiration. Green enjoys nothing more than watching his kids play soccer.  
• Mark Aros (Assistant) has his USSF National "C" License. He played collegiately at Pima CC and his fondest soccer memory was attending the 2014 World Cup and watching Germany and France in the quarterfinals. 

 

2008 Boys

• Lee Christie (Head Coach - leechristie@azyouthsoccer.org) has his USSF National "A" License in addition to a National Youth License. He previously was a U.S. Soccer licensed coaching instructor. He served on the Region IV ODP staff for five years and his fondest soccer memory was watching his son play. 
• Derick Brownell (Assistant) enters his 13th year coaching in the Arizona ODP. He played professionally for MLS's San Jose (Clash) earthquakes, and USL's Monterey Bay Jaguars (National Title), A-League's Charleston Battery, and represented the US U-23 MNT in the University Games and Olympic Festivals. He played collegiately at Santa Clara University where he was West Coast All-Conference. 
• Asani Igulu (Assistant) is in his fourth season as an Arizona ODP coach. His fondest soccer memory was winning an Arizona High School State Championship in 2010 with Palo Verde Magnet High School. He has played for Scottsdale Community College, Temecula FC (NPSL), and coached the boy's team at Sahuaro High School. His favorite player is Sinedine Zidane.

 

2007 Boys

• Chris Behler (Head Coach - chrisbehler@azyouthsoccer.org) has his UEFA "A" License. Behler played professionally from the San Jose Earthquakes from 1986-1989 and won the US Open Cup in 1992 with the San Jose Oaks Soccer Club. Behler coached at DI San Jose State University from 2003-2015 and is a Region IV ODP Staff Coach. His fondest soccer memories were winning the US Open Cup and winning a National Championship as a coach. 
• Mike Duhaney (Assistant) has his USSF National "C" License. He played collegiately at DI UNLV and professionally for six years in Major League Soccer for the Tampa Bay Mutiny, MetroStars, and Columbus Crew. He was named the 1997 Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year. He also played one season for German second division team 1. FSV Mainz 05 under head coach Jurgen Klopp. He has represented the U.S. at the U23 level and currently coaches at Benedictine University, Mesa. 
• Jake Zimmerman (Assistant) has his USSF National "C" License. He won five Arizona State Cup titles as a youth player and was the 2015 Arizona Soccer Association Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. 

 

2006 Boys 

• Phil Reid (Head Coach - philreid@azyouthsoccer.org) has his USSF National "B" License and is currently the assistant men's coach at Embry Riddle University (Prescott). 
• Mike Varela (Assistant) has his USSF National "B" License. As a player, he won a state championship with Apollo High School.
• Bobby Smith (Assistant) has his UEFA "B" License. He previously coached at Leeds United and Sheffield United. His fondest soccer memory was going to the San Siro and watching Leeds United defeat AC Milan 1-0 in the 2000/01 Champions League.

 

2005 Boys

• Joe Kiefer (Head Coach - joekiefer@azyouthsoccer.org) has his USSF National "A" License and played collegiately at the US Naval Academy where he was Colonial Athletic Conference champion. His fondest soccer memory was playing in Morocco against France, Morocco, Poland, and Tanzania in the World Military Soccer Championships. 
• Scott Dossett (Assistant) has his USSF National "A" License, USSF Instructors Licence, and National Youth License. He played collegiately at Augsburg. Scott joines the Arizona ODP after spending the past 13 years with Minnesota's ODP and Region II ODP. Fondest soccer memory was coaching Minato (Japan) to 2nd place at the Nation Tournament. 
• Josh Gibbs (Assistant) has his USSF National "C" License. He played collegiately at MCC and is now an assistant women's coach at Arizona Christian University. 

 

Goalkeeper

• Cory Robertson (Director of Goalkeeping) has his USSF National "B" License and is the goalkeeper coach for USL's Phoenix Rising FC 
• Mike Hewitt played professionally for Queen Park and Dundee Football Club in Scotland and the NASL's Tampa Bay Rowdies and San Jose Earthquakes. He was #5 on the NASL All-Time Goalkeepers 1970/80s. One of his fondest soccer memories was playing against the Pele led Cosmos. 
• Carmen Esnal played collegiately at Grand Canyon University and is now an assistant coach at Phoenix College. 
• Nate Kitchen played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside and coached at Parkside from 2017-18 and Northwestern University in 2019. His fondest soccer memory was helping Parkside win the regular season and conference tournament championships in 2017.

 

Staff Coaches 

• Chelsea Buckland has her USSF National "C" License and is a former Canadian National Team player. This is her fifth year on the Arizona ODP and she is on the Region IV ODP staff. 
• Michael Carr has his USSF National "C" License and has been coaching youth soccer in Arizona for more than 12 years. 
• David Damron has his USSF National "C" License and his fondest soccer memory was watching the Euro 2008 Finals in the fan zone on the streets of Vienna. 
• Anthony "Bubba" Delgado has his USSF National "C" License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, and USSF National Youth License. His fondest memory is watching his kids have the same passion and love for the game as he does. 
• Jarrett Galigher hails from Illinois and this is his second year on the Arizona ODP staff. 
• Rogelio Guerrero played collegiately at Glendale Community College. His fondest soccer memory was winning the State Cup as a player and now coaching at the State Cup level and watching his players develop.
• Mike Heintz has his USSF National "A" License and played collegiately at California University at Sacramento. One of his fondest memories was transitioning from player to coach and giving back to the game that started with coaching his children and then embracing the licensing process. Mike has coached dozens of youth teams over the last 35 years.
• Zachary Jens played collegiately at DII CSU Stanislaus where he won the CCAA Championships in 2012. 
• Lindsey Johnson has her USSF National "A" License and played collegiately at Santa Clara University alongside Julie Ertz. Lindsey was an All-American 2nd team and team captain her senior year. She played professionally for Sky Blue FC and represented the U.S. at the U14-U-17 levels. Her fondest soccer memory was defeating Notre Dame 6-0 in 2007 giving them their worst loss in history. 
• Ben Pada has his USSF National "B" License and his fondest soccer memories were winning a 19U National Championship in 1993 and being selected as a Metlife All-American in 1009. 
• Hector Rivera has his USSF National "C" License and was previously an assistant coach at Glendale Community College for the men's and women's teams from 2015-19.