Recreation & Competition Soccer
Bluffdale, Herriman, Riverton & South Jordan, Utah
Phil
Dean
Karen
Wunderli
Phil has loved the game of soccer from a young age. He started coaching his sons' teams about 10 years ago, when they were young. He currently coaches his oldest son's high school rec team and is also an assistant coach on Jeromy Walk's U12 competition Alliance team, where another son plays. He also enjoys watching his young daughter gently move the ball (sometimes) in the correct direction. All this makes for lots of games and training sessions!
He enjoys watching individual players come together to work as a team and learn that they can achieve more when they work together as team compared to doing it on their own. It is also rewarding for him to watch kids develop their soccer skills from whatever level they are at, whether it be a beginning rec soccer player first learning to dribble and pass the ball under pressure to an ODP competitive player learning to better manage the field and read the game.
Karen has been coaching with USA since the club formed. Karen was an All-State high school performer, ODP player and won 4 state cup titles with her club team, Devastation. She was a 4-year starter at BYU, and earned Academic All-WAC honors. Karen Robbins-Wunderli ranks in the top 10 all-time in goals and assists at BYU. She has a USSF D license and is married to John Wunderli.
Greg
Green
I’ve had the opportunity to coach the Region 4 U12 TOPSoccer team since our region organized a TOPSoccer program in 2010. My youngest daughter has epilepsy and cerebral palsy (a mild paralysis on her left side). I wanted to join the TOPSoccer program because it promotes a more active lifestyle for players with a physical or cognitive disability. The program is open to any youth player who is willing to come onto the field. It’s a great program that I wanted to be a part of.
I have three children who have been involved in USA recreation soccer and Salt Lake County indoor soccer programs since 2005; first as a parent, then assistant coach, then referee, then coach. I have been an E-license coach since June 2006, and received my TOPSoccer coaching certificate in February 2011. My older kids now assist on the field during weekly practices at TOPSoccer.
Individual abilities can range greatly across the team. Players can have high functionality or have a mobile impairment. They can be attentive to the game, or may need to be drawn into it with parent or buddy participation. It’s essential to understand what each kid is bringing to the game, then figure out how they help build a team. TOPSoccer can be challenging because there is significant individual focus on the field for player development, but with many more distractions. My daughter has had a seizure on the field in the middle of a game.
But the rewards are significant. Players and parents are committed to practices and games. I have truly devoted players who are excited to take to the field every week. In my fourth year as a TOPSoccer coach I can see development on the field through improved team-play, better personal engagements on and off the field, and some budding friendships. I’d had amazing experiences with other teams and coaches who volunteer on the field with my team.
The results are sometimes small, but always valuable; because what is learned is practical and real. It’s encouraging to see the TOPSoccer program is growing. I’m proud to be a part of a great organization that emphasizes player development and community participation that fosters good sportsmanship.
Clark
Dana
Unlike others before me who have received Coach Of The Week, I did not grow up playing soccer. Although active in other sports, I did not grow up with a ball at my feet. My introduction to soccer came as my sons U5 team was lacking a coach, and frankly, my wife signed me up and made me do it! I wasn't happy about it, but during the U6 season I realized how much fun I was having and how rewarding it was to be a coach. I heard about the E License and signed up immediately, and thereafter was asked to help Mark Osborn and Kelly Farr coach in the U7 Academy Program. I continued to learn. I have been a sponge, soaking up everything I can about the game of soccer, and about how to coach. I ask my "mentors" many questions and appreciate their patience and help. My newfound hobby also has me playing soccer myself in adult leagues and following professional soccer. The young U5 team I started with is now a U8 Academy team. Because I hope to continue coaching, I have begun my D License course. I have become attached to these great kids and feel honored to be their coach! So, my conversion to soccer is complete, and I love it.
As a coach, I believe in positive reinforcement, I believe practices should be fun, organized, planned with a purpose, and carried out so that the kids always have a ball at their feet. i believe in sportsmanship, and hope to be an example to my players and their families of enjoying the game, keeping perspective and emotions in check. I believe it is OK to lose and I believe it is OK to win. I believe that lessons can be learned from both experiences.
Thanks to USA and for all those who work hard and volunteer to make this work.
Clint
Guymon
Playing background: I played soccer at the College of Eastern Utah for 1 year. I love to play soccer and continue playing.
Coaching background: I have coached as a head coach in the recreation program or in the competition side as an assistant coach during the last 5 years with Utah Soccer Alliance. There's great people working with USA.
Philosophy: Players will play like they practice and should practice how they should play. Where performance is measured performance improves. Having fun is an outcome of mixing preparedness and lots of effort.
Mark
Parry
I played recreation and competitive soccer throughout my youth and went on to play in the Adult Amateur league for several years. I am going on my 10th year as a USSF certified referee. I have been coaching in USA rec Soccer for almost 5 years. My coaching philosophy is that the number one goal of the game is to have fun. I feel that it is important that the kids get opportunities to play all the positions, and that they learn to work together as a team.
Daron
Hill
Seth
Quealy
Daron was born and mostly raised in West Valley City, Utah.
Daron began playing soccer at the age of five in Clovis, New Mexico. After quickly finding a passion for soccer he continued playing when he moved to Utah. He played in the Utah Recreation, Competition and ODP programs and later for Hunter High School lettering all three years. His senior year he received an All Region Honorable Mention. After high school, Daron received an invite to play for the Reno Zephyrs (Div 3) and in 2005 he earned a developmental opportunity with the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer after trying out for now Crew Assistant Coach Mike Lapper. His coaching career began as he coached his children’s soccer teams in 2007. Also in 2007, he founded the Utah National Guard Adult Soccer Club for which he played and coached. He loves to teach the game of soccer and feels that a love for the game is the basic stepping stone to being a great player and coach. He pushes his players to reach the top of their game through hard work on and off the field and expects them to put forth maximum effort.
Daron is also in his 5th season as with the Herriman High School Boys' and Girls' soccer teams where he serves as and Assistant Coach as well as the Goalkeepers and Team Conditioning Coach.
Daron’s qualifications and experience include:
USSF National “D” License
NSCAA Goalkeeper I Diploma
AYSO Advanced Level Coach
Seth started playing soccer in 2nd grade in Santa Cruz, CA and recalls only agreeing to play when he found out he got to keep the uniform. He helped organize, start and coach his high school soccer team in Heber City, UT as a senior. He also helped start a club team at Snow College while he was there playing football. Seth has a passion for sports and working with younger players to help them develop a love for the game and being active. In the past he has coached at the high school level but now days you'll find him helping coach his kids rec and comp teams. Recently he obtained an E license to help coach our U7 Academy in which his son participates.
He is all about helping the kids have fun playing, he even shows up in an afro and sunglasses to try to fool the kids. But they have his number by now. Seth feels that at this age its about getting them to be confident with the ball and getting them to want to play all the time. He tries to make them each feel special and leave practice and games believing they are the best player on the field.
Geff
Tucker
Geff has been coaching for more than 10 years and played for more than 12 years. His coaching philosophy is that he wants the kids to learn to play the game the right way as early and as quickly as possible. If they can learn the game, it becomes more fun to them. They also look forward to practice more. Learning their role on a team makes playing as a team...FUN. Every player has a vital part. He holds a USSF E license.
Gordon
Augat
Born of German parents, Gordon grew up with a soccer ball on his foot. He played his high school soccer at Brighton High School where he was captain and made the all-state team his final year. He has been coaching in the USA club for over 10 years and is also an assistant coach at Herriman High School (3 years). He has 5 children. His oldest child (Brenna) who played USA rec soccer, passed away in 2006. His oldest son competed in the USA program before graduation and his other 3 currently compete. His youngest son is a Region IV ODP player. Gordon loves coaching and developing young players. He holds a USSF D license.
Aaron
Lightfoot
I have been coaching my sons team for three years. For some reason, two out of the three years we have received the yellow uniforms. As a team we decided that the color yellow was not a manly color and would be difficult to come up with a name that would strike fear in the hearts of our opponents. So, we went with the flow of things used our imaginations and the first year we named our team the SUPER BANANAS. We currently preside under the name of the RUBBER DUCKIES.
As you can tell, we are having a lot of fun playing soccer, building relationships and developing our soccer skills. The Rubber Duckies thank all who make this league possible and appreciate all the time and hard work that goes into running an organization of this size.
Thanks Coach Aaron and the Rubber Ducky team.
Kevin
Olson
I have been coaching for USA for 5 years. I have a D license. I'm currently coaching my daughter's U-10 Alliance team. I gained a love for the game of soccer at a young age. I have five children ranging in age from 4-12 years old who all love and play soccer. I've coached several of my children's teams and enjoyed each one of them. I love kids and enjoy teaching them the game of soccer. My goal as a coach is to create a positive environment where a team can learn how to play the game and have fun at the same time.
Danny
Payne
Playing soccer has been a part of my life since my youth and now through my adult years. When my son was young I decided to give back to a sport that I so enjoy and to help young players gain a love and passion for the
game. I have been coaching my son’s recreation teams for 7 years now. I have my E license and enjoyed learning how to become a better coach. Coaching the players in both outdoor and now indoor has been very rewarding.
As a coach I first want to help the players have fun through playing soccer. I focus on the fundamentals of ball control and movement. I use positive feedback to motivate and teach the players. I work with the players to
teach them all of the different positions on the field.
Zach
Newbold
Zach Newbold has coached for USA for the past 7 years and has his D license. Zach loves the game of soccer and tries to instill in his players that same love. He coaches players to be their best and to enjoy the game. He is currently coaching his daughter on an Alliance Girls U10 team and his son on an Academy U8 team. He has a passion for soccer and is willing to spend a great deal of time with his teams to help them improve and enjoy the game. His philosophy includes creating an atmosphere where players can learn from their mistakes. He believes that the team must rely upon one another and work as a team. Most of all he wants his players to HAVE FUN!