Experienced Volunteer Coaches
MIFC recreational soccer is run by a cadre of dedicated
volunteer coaches with an average of 19 years playing experience and 8 years coaching experience. Additionally, 20% of our coaching staff hold US Soccer Federation Coaching Licenses.
Clinic Style Professional Training for Ages U6 through U9
We employ
clinic style professional training for ages U6-U9. Coaches are responsible for coaching the games.
Coaching Format for U10+
Starting at U10, the coach is responsible for training but is given practice plans through U11. By U12, there is still a curriculum, but coaches develop their own
practice plans. The coaches are dedicated and experienced by the time they're dealing with U12+.
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David Addison Experience: 23 years playing, 10+ coaching. Awards/Certifications: USSF "B" License. NSCAA National Diploma, GK Level 3(national) Diploma. WFA Fitness Periodization Diploma, Frans Hoek Goalkeeping Diploma. Background: Director of Coaching of International Academy of Soccer, which provides local rec and select clubs within EYSA professional coaches to run training programs, helps develop coaches, develop players and connect the community. Coaching Philosophy: I take a tremendous amount of pride in the development of players, and commit myself to developing players of all ages and levels reach the ability they seek. I have coached with MIFC for my entire coaching career, starting in High School when I volunteered to coach a U10 rec team, extending all the way to my current positions with MIFC taking numerous teams, also with IAS as the Director of Coaching based mostly on Mercer Island. |
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Josh Atencio Playing Experience: Josh is currently a member of the Tacoma Defiance (Formerly Seattle Sounders FC 2). Position: Midfielder Josh made his S2 debut in August 2018 as a substitute against the Timbers 2, scoring his first goal shortly after entering the match. He then started the team's next match and has since become a strong member of the squad. Josh is a native of Bellevue, WA and joined the Sounders Academy in 2016 as one of the youngest members of the U15 squad. Throughout his time at the Academy, Josh has been an important starter on teams that won the Youdan Trophy in England, Generation Adidas Cup and the 2017-2018 USSDA national championship. International Experience: Josh has represented the United States Youth National Teams at the U-15 and U-17 levels. He started every match for the U.S. U-15's as they won the Torneo Delle Nazioni in Italy, defeating the likes of Russia, Portugal and England. Josh has been called up to the U-17 national team four times, with appearances against the Netherlands, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Mexico. |
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Renato Cardenas Experience: 10+ years playing, 6 years coaching. Awards/Certifications: USSF 9V9 certificate and is persuing coaching licenses.
Playing Experience:
Background: Born in Lima, Peru and raised in Seattle. Following my brothers' footsteps, I began playing soccer at a very young age, instantly falling in love with the game. After graduating high school, playing various clubs, I decided to continue playing for Bellevue College. With the support of my family I continued to pursue my passion of playing eventually turning it into a career. I began coaching as a volunteer at IAS in my early years of high school. Coaching philosophy: My intent as a coach is to educate and prepare players for their future through various lessons soccer brings. I am fully committed to helping kids reach their goals and hope to pass down my passion for the game. |
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Willy Cardenas Experience: 30+ years playing, 7+ years coaching. Awards/Certifications: USSF C License, International Academy of Soccer (IAS). Background: Willy played professional soccer in Peru's premier division, as well as for the USL Sounders after moving to the Pacific Northwest. With his deep and rich background in the sport, he has brought passion, knowledge and technical enrichment to the Mercer Island/Eastside soccer community through IAS for the last several years. Willy has become a cherished and well-known coach with multiple premier and select teams in the area. He also has a son who plays premier soccer. Coaching Philosophy: I never thought I was going to be a soccer coach, but I am grateful that I found my way here. I really love what I do. Soccer is a beautiful game, and I thrive to pass on this love and passion to each and every one of my players I work with. Every player is unique and has different skills to offer, and I do my best to bring the potential out of each of them. I enjoy getting to know all of my players, and love seeing them coming together as a cohesive team during the season. I ask not for players to be great at everything. I only ask that they try their best during each practice and game. Though games are meant to be competitive, however, in my humble opinion, the focus on player development is key at the youth level. |
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Francois Delafosse Playing Experience: 25 years playing semi-pro in France. Coaching youth soccer 24 years. Awards and Certifications: Coaching diploma, USSF A License, Youth Soccer National. My career as a player was made in France; from the top youth soccer level to my semi-pro level National 4. My coaching experience for the last 24 years was not only very beneficial for myself, but also in teaching youth soccer the game evolves constantly. I can provide tools and skills at the level of coaching that will best develop players. |
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Alec Diaz Playing Experience: Alec is currently a member of the Tacoma Defiance (Formerly Seattle Sounders FC 2). Position: Forward Alec made his S2 debut in 2018 vs.Tulsa Roughnecks FC and played 31 minutes. He scored his first professional goal a month later vs. Colarado Springs Switchbacks FC by tallying a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw. Alec is a native of Isaaquah, WA and as a member of the Sounders Academy he scored 36 goals in 38 games across all competitions as the Sounders FC U-17 squad won the USSDA National Championship. |
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Elliot Fauske
Playing Experience:
Coaching Experience:
Awards/Certifications: Coaching Philosophy: My goal is to build community through soccer. I have lived in Mexico and Brazil and speak Spanish and Portuguese. Additionally, I have been fortunate to have travelled to over 30 countries and I love how football connects people from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I seek to instill passion for the game through encouraging individual creativity within a framework of sound tactical fundamentals. My Values: My priorities through sport are respect, hard work and fun. Players should respect parents, referees, teammates, opponents and coaches. Players should learn through sport how rewarding hard work can be. And ultimately, it should be fun. Some of my best memories and closest relationships have come through soccer and I hope to create an environment that affords the same opportunity for my players. |
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Tom Hill
Background: Growing up, soccer was simply the fall sport I played after baseball ended and before basketball began. Until my sophomore year in high school I
played all three sports with the friends I had had since 3rd grade. After college, I played year-round on both a coed and a men's team. I still have many friends from those days. Coaching
started when the local club a called and told me my son could play but only if I was willing to coach his team. From there it was years of coaching both of my sons as well as my daughter.
There were a couple years during the fall I was on the field 7 days a week due to practices Monday through Thursday, Friday night clinic, and games both days of the weekend. It was
tremendous fun. Initially I learned through doing, however, when my daughter was U11 I realized her team was super talented and had to admit I was the limiting factor. From there I
progressed through the D, C, NYL, and B USSF licensing clinics. These clinics can be stressful but are also very fun… I've been fortunate to meet some tremendous coaches during these
clinics.
Coaching Philosophy: It took 20+ years to understand most of a coach's role is to create positive relationships with the players and parents. Winning is a
result not a goal. No player, of any age, shows up to practice hoping to stand in line, run laps, or listen to lectures… they want to play. The X's and O's are important, of course, so when
you combine good soccer fundamentals with a positive development mentality your players and teams will amaze you. I get to know my players, engage with the parents and release my players to
the game and allow them to own their experience. |
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Cristian Pintone Experience: Cristian has been coaching select teams for MIFC and other local clubs in several different age groups for over 10 years. Cristian also has been a major influence with younger players on Mercer Island through his coaching in the recreational "MOD" clinics, Spring Academy and other coaching clinics. Awards/Certifications: He holds a US national C License, he is one of the directors of the IAS Academy and also a part of the coaching staff.
Background: Cristian is a local product with Chilean roots. He made his mark playing locally for Juanita High School, Alliance FC and Eastside FC. He returned
to Chile to further his football education, playing professionally in Chile's 1st division league. In 2005 he returned to Seattle and continued his career in the PDL, NPSL, and
USL2. |
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Colin Rigby
Coaching Resume:
Playing Career: |
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Mark Sandwith Experience: 9 years playing, 9 years coaching soccer, 20+ coaching youth sports. Coaching Philosophy: I am a firm believer that sports and life lessons parallel one another. This includes winning, losing, team work, work ethic, goals (not the ones you score) and most importantly having fun while doing all of these things. I coach at MIFC simply because I enjoy the game of soccer and watching kids as they accomplish their goals. |
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Ketu Shah
Experience: 40 years playing, 14 years coaching. |
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Greg Snyder Experience: 40+ years playing, 10 years coaching.
Awards/Certifications: USSF D License, WFA Football Fitness/Braining Diploma, WFA Tactics/Action Analysis Diploma, WFA Youth Football Periodization Diploma,
Alex Weaver Sessions, EYSA Coaching Certificates. Coaching Philosophy: I coach soccer because the games gave me so many great experiences, memories and lasting friendships. I would like to pass those lessons on to players I coach or come into contact with. Player development is important to me as well because the better you learn to play, the more fun the game is to play and the longer players tend to play. |
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Stephen Thurlby Experience: Played professionally with Mbabane Swallows in Swaziland and IBV & Sindri Hofn in Iceland. 2010: Coached full time for Global Premier Soccer New Jersey - coached USL PDL U20s, ECNL, Rec - all levels and ages for boys and girls. 2015 - 2017: Coached with Global Premier Soccer Orlando and worked in the front office with Orlando Pride & Orlando City. 2018: Move to work in the front office for Seattle Reign FC. Certifications: FA Level 1 License and US Soccer E License. |
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Othaniel Yanez:
Playing Experience: Coaching experience: I started coaching at about the same time I started playing. My Family knew nothing about soccer. My sisters and I were the first to play soccer in the family. Everything I learned I tried to teach as my mom's assistant coach for everything she volunteered for. I have loved coaching almost as long as I loved playing. I have coached in 2 countries and 6 states. I am currently working with MIFC, Beast Mode Soccer, and Kent United as well as training various teams and coaching in various camps and clinics throughout the year.
Awards and Certificates: Background: Originally from Southern California, I started playing soccer at the age of 9 after playing ever other sport first. I fell in love with the game, and while I still have a great deal of respect other sports, I have not played another sport since. I have been fortunate enough to travel the country and the world thanks to both my playing and coaching career. I have learned a lot of lessons both on and off the field thanks to the beautiful game. I hope to pass along the lessons I have learned. I want to build the soccer culture wherever I go. Philosophy: I believe in being a student of the game. I try and learn something from everyone I come across in life and the game. I try to learn and grow every day, and I hope my players do the same. I hope to pass along the lessons I have learned to everyone I come across. My goal is to be the best coach you ever had. |
