MNUFC today announced the technical staff for the U13 and U14 Development Academy age groups. These age groups will launch the first phase of Minnesota United’s Academy program when it begins competition as an official member of U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy this fall.
Traditionally, each team within an age group has been run by a head coach and an assistant coach. This arrangement, though, can lead to coaches prioritizing wins for their team over player development at a crucial point for youth soccer players. The technical staff of Minnesota United’s Academy will instead function as a coaching wheel, with coaches working together and in a rotation to ensure that development is prioritized. By involving all members of the technical staff who are working within an age band, the staff is better able to address the individual needs of players, provide an environment that best suits each player and better determine when moving players up or down makes the most sense in their development. This model incorporates all the coaches in the decision-making process rather than just one or two who focus on a single team.
“Rather than being concerned with winning the U13 or U14 age group divisions, coaches now focus on each individual player within the age band and what is best for their growth and development,” said Tim Carter, MNUFC Academy Director. “Our main goal is to educate and develop young players so that one day they can possibly play on our first team. Soccer is a competitive game and we definitely want players who can compete at the highest level, but in order to achieve that goal it is important that our staff view the development process as more important than just winning trophies. This model helps our coaches to focus on the factors that are most important in the player development process.”
Manny Lagos, MNUFC Sporting Director, believes the technical staff assembled for the Academy will provide MNUFC with a strong presence in the club’s first year of Development Academy membership. “I’m excited about the staff that Tim has assembled for the start-up of our Academy and the manner in which we will integrate our first team staff. We’re looking forward to having a positive influence on player development and the long-term impact that our Academy will have on our club.”
The MNUFC Academy Technical Staff for 2017-18 are:
Tim Carter: Academy Director | Technical Leader U13–U14
Andy Seidel: Academy Coach U13–U14 | Technical Leader U12
Ryan Brooks: Academy General Manager | Academy Coach Goalkeeping U13–U14
Craig Mallace: Director of Camps | Academy Staff
Marius Rovde: First Team Goalkeeper Coach | Director of Goalkeeping
Jarryd Phillips: First Team Fitness Coach | Director of Fitness and Sport Science
Amos Magee: Director of Player Personnel | Academy Staff
Manny Lagos: Sporting Director | Academy Staff
