Executive Editorial
As we close out another incredible fall season, it’s hard to believe 2024 is coming to an end and 2025 is just around the corner. First, we want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all our U8-U14 families who participated in the Satori Survey last month. Introduced last May, this initiative was designed to enhance the feedback process at the club, and we’re thrilled to share that the feedback you provided—and the actions CUSC has taken in response—have resulted in a significant increase in satisfaction scores. For our U15-U19 families who recently returned from high school seasons, your opportunity to provide feedback will take place during our May survey period.
In this issue, we’re excited to showcase not only the many ways our players, coaches, and volunteers live out our core values but also a special edition of “Partners on the Pitch.” Over the past two years, this initiative has played a key role in strengthening our “OneClub” spirit at Cincinnati United SC. A big thank-you to the coaches and families who shared their stories, experiences, and photos to bring this feature to life.
Finally, as we enter this season of reflection and gratitude, we want to thank you for trusting Cincinnati United SC with your child’s development. On behalf of our entire staff, we wish every member of our community a joyful, restful, and fulfilling holiday season. We can’t wait to see you back on the field in 2025!
Blake Decker
Chief Executive Officer
Cincinnati United SC
Share your stories with us along the way by submitting on our
Tell Your Story page.
Contents
We hope you enjoy reading our quarterly newsletter and we have worked hard to provide lots of information and updates. However if you want to pinpoint content that is relevant to you, use the links below to navigate the page:
Congratulations to the CUSC coaches who recently completed the D License that the club hosted- Anthony (AJ) Kisor, Brendan Rosgen, Canniggia Johnson, Erin Loftus, Garry Hancock, Jared Minderman, Lauren Deckert, Michael King and Sergi Martinez (not all pictured).
This was a closed course for club coaches only, and was led by Girls Academy Director Katrin Kaarna and assisted by club CEO Blake Decker.
Shoutout to the following teams who provided a handful of players to participate in the sessions- CUSM 15B AS Roma, CULM 15B Aston Villa, CULM 16G Atletico, CUSM 16G Auxerre, CUSM 16G Bordeaux- and to the CU North 2013 and 2014 age groups who provided various players from both the boys and girls programs.
Cincinnati United continues to offer a 'place to play' through our internal High School programs. We are the longest running Ohio South and Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) supported club program for high school eligible players in the fall season. We are proud to also welcome players from outside of the club too.
Congratulations to all who took part this past fall across all of our communities, and we would like to offer special recognition to those seniors reaching this landmark moment as they begin to come to the end of the youth phase of their overall soccer journey.
The CU North Girls program, led by Ron Brickley and Harlan Jackson, celebrated their seniors at a unique Awards Night this past fall (pictured). Well done girls, families and coaches!
In November Steph Webb, CUP Girls Technical Director, Garry Hancock, CU North Program Director, and Scott Bower, CUSC Director of Soccer, had the incredible opportunity to engage with the Manchester City Academy leadership in England thanks to our partnership with Puma.
As one of only four Puma KING Clubs in the United States— alongside Jacksonville FC, La Roca, and Charlotte Soccer Academy— we continue to have the privilege of attending invaluable educational events like this for coaches, players, and directors.
Over the years, Puma has provided access to some of the world’s top clubs and academies, including AC Milan, Chivas, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, and Manchester City.
Here at CUSC we are grateful for these opportunities which enable our growth-minded staff to take some of the best practices in the world and implement them throughout the club.
Speaking of Puma KING and indeed Borussia Dortmund, CUSC staff were also invited to attend an exclusive virtual Club Townhall with the Bundesliga team's Head Coach Nuri Sahin, live from Dortmund..
Attendees were able to hear about his soccer and coaching journey, his key learnings as a coach and learn about his viewpoint on how to overcome challenges, as well as being allowed to submit questions.
This is the second in the series following the Pro-Series Kick-off with Weston McKennie. We are privileged and grateful that our staff are able to be afforded opportunities like this to grow and develop, which in turn will help our whole club.
As part of CUP 10 Gold's recent trip to Indio, California, one of our players, Sam Ziska, was selected for the All-Star game.
When asked Sam said, "I really enjoyed the overall experience. The coaches, players and environment was all amazing and the atmosphere was electric. The coaches and players were all super supportive which made my experience feel even better."
Players are nominated by leadership from other clubs to compete in this showcase event- we are proud of you Sam!
Special Mentions
Here are some other special mentions from the last 3 months!
Jaimee Wilcox / Fall finale
Thank you once again to Jaimee Wilcox for her role in coordinating the volunteers at our Fall Finale.
Included in this we would like to recognize all the volunteers who stepped up to ensure this year's end of season tournament was one of our most successful yet.
You can learn more about Jaimee's other contributions to CUSC later in this edition.
HS honors AND SENIORS
Too many to mention here but well done to all CUSC players and coaches who have received High School Honors so far this fall!
We will continue to drip feed individual announcements via Social Media and list all awards on our website in the new year.
Best wishes to all seniors who have finished their HS careers and we look forward to seeing you back out on the field with CUSC.
college commits
It is the time of year where players start to decide on their next steps beyond CUSC.
Congratulations to anyone who have already committed to a college and good luck to those still going through the process.
Feel free to contact us if your player hasn't been covered on Social Media yet- we love to share in their success when we can!
REECE HANDS
Congratulations to CUP Boys Technical Director Reece Hands for winning the OSA Boys Competitive Coach of the Year award!
The award will be presented to Reece in February and you can follow our Social Media channels for further updates or coverage.
Yalcin karatas
CU North Girls coach Yalcin Karatas completed his National C License in September with US Soccer.
The club would like to extend its congratulations and as always we encourage and support the education of all of our staff. We are proud of you Yalcin!
CUP Girls FUTBOL festival
Thank you to everyone who helped with or attended this annual Halloween themed event, held on November 1st at Grooms.
Players from both inside or outside the club and their families enjoyed a night of fun games, prizes, giveaways and competitions.
ADMINISTRATION
We recently undertook a significant project to enhance transparency and provide more detailed information about our coaching staff and team assignments. We see this as a major step in helping improve the connections and familiarity across our whole club.
Not easy when you consider how many staff we have and we hope you enjoy learning more. Check out the link at the end of this edition.
Alumni
Another area we've been trying to improve is sharing success stories of our alumni in college college. You may have seen recent Social Media posts highlighting the achievements of some of our ex-players. Well done to Director of Soccer, Scott Bower, in coordinating all of this!
You can learn more about this project in our 'Where Are They Now?' feature later in this edition.
Coaches Corner
Every season we feature an interview with one of our fantastic staff members. For this edition we have focused on Brian Goff.
Name: Brian Goff
Place of Birth: Oak Park, Illinois
Tell us about your life away from the field:
I work in commercial HVAC, and have a wonderful family; all three of my children either have played or are playing for CUP, MLS Next and the Elite programs. I am also the head coach of the Saint Ursula Bulldogs JVB team, coach Futsal and do personal training.
When did you start coaching?
I have been coaching for 14 years.
When did you join the club?
I joined the club in 2016.
Teams you coach this season?
CUP 09G Red, CUSE 12G Elite
What inspired you to become a coach?
I started volunteering when my daughter was around four years old. The school needed help managing the children, and I stepped in to assist. My inspiration was quite simple: I realized I wanted to continue on this path when I felt immense pride in watching someone else's child, not just my own, succeed.
What's your best memory on and off the field at the club?
There are far too many memories on the field to count over the years. Broadly speaking, if I had to condense it, away tournaments are some of my favorite times. We talk about structure a lot in our club and within US Soccer. I believe that the foundation upon which that structure for your team is built is formed during those weekends. The esprit de corps and culture that every team needs is realized on those trips.
Off the field, my most special and recent memory involves the club directly. I became very ill and am grateful the good Lord kept me around a little while longer. The outpouring of support, well wishes, and hospitality shown to my family from our club has been nothing short of phenomenal. I cannot express enough gratitude to all those who have been so kind, and I will never be able to thank them adequately.
Each season we focus on a CUPGOAL, and this time around it is GROWTH-MINDED. How does that translate to the youth soccer world for you?
I will never know everything. I do know however that you can learn something from everyone. Sometimes that is what TO do and what NOT to do. I have found that putting yourself outside of your comfort zone more often than not, promotes your growth faster than if you kept it safe in your bubble.
Funniest moment as a coach?
Halloween is always fun with the creativity the kids bring into their costumes as they are able to wear them for one practice the week before trick or treat night. However, my funniest has to be when one of my players came to training. I had a small conditioning course set up for muscle activation. The young lady came up, looked at me then the course and said: “Conditioning?…I like Air Conditioning not this."
Is there anyone on your coaching journey who you identify with as a mentor?
Honestly, everyone that I have had the privilege to coach with. I keep one concept from each coach that I make my own and will never forget. If you ask me a name, I can tell you that concept.
What one piece of advice would you have to someone who is considering starting out on their coaching journey?
Make it your happy place. If the team is happy, the parents are happy, if the parents are happy…you are happy.
Who is your favorite soccer team apart from Cincinnati United 🙂?
Gunners
Apart from soccer, what other sports do you like to watch or play?
NHL, NFL
Tell us a 'fun fact' about yourself that very few people know?
While I am not related to Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions, my little (big) brother did in fact play in the NFL for 12 years.
Thanks to Brian for taking the time to answer our questions! Nominations for the next edition of Coaches Corner can be emailed to content@cincinnnatiunitedsc.com. Note that Brian is included in our "Partners on the Pitch" section below...read on!
Partners on the Pitch
We are grateful to all of our partners. In this edition, in keeping with the holiday spirit and using it as a time to reflect, we would like to focus on our “OneClub” approach which we see as fundamental to the mission and success of CUSC.
"OneClub": United as One Family
At Cincinnati United Soccer Club, we aren’t just a soccer club— we are a community. As we enter the winter season, we reflect on the shared experiences that unite us. While our club encompasses multiple programs like Cincinnati United (CU), Cincinnati United Premier (CUP) and Cincinnati United Juniors, along with several geographically-based communities such as CU North, CU Southeast, and CUP Boys and Girls, we aim to be, at the core, one team and one family.
The beauty of our setup lies not only in the diversity of our programs but in how they all work together. Our structure allows us to go beyond the ordinary and offer what other clubs, either can’t, due to their size or set up, or simply choose not to. All of this is aimed at creating opportunities for growth by fostering connections that benefit our players, coaches, and families.
“United to inspire a love for development, competition, and community in our players, coaches, and club.”
Since our formation, Cincinnati United has brought together multiple local soccer communities: Lakota United, Sycamore Soccer Club, Southeast Cincinnati Soccer Association, Thunder United and more recently Lebanon Youth Soccer Association. By working together, we’ve proven that collaboration leads to stronger outcomes. This cooperative spirit extends beyond age groups and geographic regions— it extends to every player, coach, and parent who contributes to the club’s growth.
Examples of Unity Throughout the Year
Our “OneClub” ethos isn’t just a concept— it’s something we try to live every day, with numerous examples of how CU and CUP collaborate seamlessly to offer more opportunities for development and community. Here are just a few of those examples:
- Age Group Training: At our younger age groups, we have introduced the idea of individual communities or teams coming together for practice, and starting at the U11 age group, this will on occasion extend to CU and CUP players as well. This helps with building connections on and off the field and gives players exposure to different coaching styles and training environments, helping to prepare them for future growth within the club’s structure.
- U10 CUP Winter Training Program: Every January we bring together CU North and CU Southeast players to train in a unified environment on a weekly basis as they approach the pivotal age where they transition to the 9v9 game. This also helps the whole club prepare for the start of the parallel CU and CUP pathways. The goal is to give these young athletes extra training, assessment, and insight into future CUP programming. For us, this isn’t about making quick adjustments, it's about creating a foundation for future success in both CU and CUP.
- Club Passing: Our flexible 'club passing' system allows players to train and play across both CU and CUP teams as needed. This system ensures that players always have access to the best possible environment for their development, whether it's a scheduling conflict, a need for specialized coaching, or an opportunity to experience a new team dynamic.
“You’re not a guest in your own house.” – Scott Bower, Director of Soccer.
This mindset signals a shift in how we view player transitions within the club. No one is a "guest" when they step onto the field. See more on the alignment of our our training kits and uniforms below to further support this point. We believe all players belong here, and we are committed to making sure they feel supported— no matter where they train or play.
Specific Stories of Collaboration
The power of our "OneClub" approach is most visible in the personal stories of players and coaches who come together to achieve something greater. Take, for example, the experience of CU North 10B Elite 1 at the Presidents Cup Regionals in South Dakota last summer. Tony Fletcher, Boys U12-U19 Age Group Director and Head Coach, faced a challenge when he needed extra players to round out his team due to absences or conflicts. Because of our integrated structure, he was able to call on players from both CU and CUP to help, strengthening the team both on and off the field.
As Tony reflects on the weeks of summer practice leading up to the event, “I felt like this set the early groundwork for how we could work together.” In fact, the cohesion extended beyond the field. Families, even if not staying at the same hotel, gathered for breakfast and spent time together by the pool, or enjoyed team dinners together (see photos at end of article). This shared experience helped foster deeper bonds among the players, coaches, and families, making the experience all the more memorable.
Later, older CU players returned the favor, helping Tony's CUP 08B Silver in the same tournament. It’s a clear example of how our players, coaches, and families can support one another, no matter which program or community they are part of. As Tony puts it, “It doesn’t just help the players, it helps the coaches build relationships too.” This is one of the many reasons we continue to encourage collaboration across all levels.
The 'sharing' of players also naturally extends to the more unique and specialist positions, such as goalkeeper. A great example is Heidi Gunnell, a CU North 10G Elite I player, who has been with the club since 2018 and will now also play with CUP 10G Red this spring. Heidi has consistently demonstrated a strong sense of community, having 'club passed' with multiple CU North teams over the past few years as well.
Developing Coaches from Within
The "OneClub" approach isn’t just for players— it applies to coaching as well. Many of our coaches work across both CU and CUP, reinforcing the unity of the club. Coaches like Brian Goff (CUSE / CUP Girls), Canniggia Johnson (CUSE / CUP Girls), Chris Plesa (CULM / CUP Girls), and Declan Pierce (CULM / CU North / CUP Girls) are a few examples of this, and coaches like Jared Minderman (CUSE to CUP Boys) and Kalu Abass (CU North to CUP Boys) are just 2 examples of coaches who have recently moved from one community to another. Whatever the community, we know that all are committed to the development of our players.
Former players also return to the club as coaches, contributing their knowledge and experience to help the next generation grow. Garrett Szabo, a former CUP player, spent several years coaching for both CU and CUP before taking on his current role as Mason HS Varsity Coach, and he is a great example of this. He shares, “CU and CUP have a robust and dynamic pathway, with a focus always on development, despite the wide talent spectrum.”
For Garrett, the club has always been about creating a strong sense of community. “As an alumni, coach, and parent, I couldn’t be more excited for the club, players, and the greater Cincinnati landscape. CUSC has always set the standard and continues to do so today.” Garrett’s connection to the club remains strong, and he continues to give back to the community that helped shape him. “My kids will go to the club because I know it, I trust it, and I love it.”. Asked how he would respond to people new to the club or who aren't yet necessarily believers in the "OneClub" approach, Garrett confirms that his belief in it is because "I've seen behind the scenes." He recognizes that CUP is the next step in the journey for some but notes that it doesn't have to be. He himself was a "late bloomer" and sees the positives in players being able to move between CU and CUP at any point on their journey.
There are numerous stories of other alumni who have returned to the club in various roles as adults. The most common examples are those who return to coach like Garrett. Here are a few examples from the current staff:
- Adam Eckert (CUSE), Maria Bates (CUSE), Jordan Geis (CUSE and CUP Girls), Ryan Derge, (CUP Boys) and Nikolai Christow (CUP Boys).
- Eva Kiper (CU Juniors) was in fact one of our previous National Champions as a player (pictured below), and Hugh Seyfarth our Technical Director actually coached her during her career too. This further shows how things can come full circle.
- Extending this further, there are Alumni like Kevin Botkins (CUP Girls U13-U19 Age Group Director (Black)) and Scott Stockum (CUP Boys U15-U19 Age Group Director) who have returned to coach before then moving into staff roles with the club.
Parents as Coaches: Expanding the "OneClub" Ethos
The "OneClub" philosophy extends to our parents as well. Parents like Brian Goff (CUSE / CUP), David Crawford (CUSE), Mitch Galvin (CUSE), and Tony Fletcher (CU North / CUP) have become coaches or staff members, further enriching the connection between families and the club. Their involvement strengthens our commitment to fostering a sense of community, not just on the field, but throughout the entire club..
The club will offer education and support to any parent who is looking to start on their own coaching pathway. You can review our 'Coach For Us' page, linked at the end of the newsletter, if you would like to learn more.
There are even examples to be taken from our board, as current President, Dan Kunkemoeller, and current Vice-President, George Stinson, both had kids who played in the club before also serving as coaches.
A Unified Club Identity
This fall, we introduced new uniforms to ensure a unified identity for all of our teams and coaches. We started this process during the last uniform cycle, where the same yellow game jersey was used for both CU and CUP, but all of our gear for this new cycle is virtually identical, signaling that we are all part of the same club [see example photo below of the 2 boys in quarter zips and play some 'spot the difference']. It’s a simple but effective way to reinforce our "OneClub" message every time we step onto the field, and supports the idea of 'club passing'. You can review our 'Uniform Reveal' video using the link at the end of the newsletter if you want to study them yourselves.
Away from our uniforms and equipment, we’ve also introduced the "OneClub" logo, where the CU and CUP logos sit side by side, with the eight stars above them. This design isn’t just aesthetic— it’s a reflection of our shared achievements, highlighting the success of individual teams as well as our collective journey.
In addition to bridging any perceived gaps between CU and CUP, we also hope that these changes can help enhance the connection between the older and younger players at the club. Whatever stage of the journey you are in, we want all players to be able to look forward or back and feel that connection. Thanks to the Schacht family who used our 'Tell Your Story' link to submit a recent photo of their boys Beckett (CUSE 17/18B Chelsea/Dortmund) and Ethan (CUP 11B Black) in their new uniforms to help support this point (see photo below).
Closing Thoughts:
As a club, we acknowledge that no community is perfect, and no family exists without its challenges. But the beauty of being part of something bigger than ourselves is that we work together to ensure we all pull in the same direction. This time of year is a good opportunity to reflect on the collective efforts that make CUSC such a special place— a place where we, despite any differences, are always one team, one family, and always try to be 'partners on the pitch'.
We look forward to continuing to grow the "OneClub" initiative in 2025, and please be on the lookout for an announcement regarding this in the spring that is based upon feedback from members and staff.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this article. We know that there are so many more examples that we could have included and if you would like to share one with us please use this link or email content@cincinnatiunitedsc.com.
Unsung Heroes
Put simply, our club could not survive without the work of so many that goes unnoticed. This quarter, we focus on two such individuals: Jaimee Wilcox and Mark Koch. Both have dedicated years of service to maintaining and supporting the fields at Lebanon Sports Complex and Waldron Soccer Park, respectively. Their tireless efforts, often unseen by players and families, are essential to our community’s success.
Jaimee Wilcox: A Commitment to Lebanon Sports Complex
Jaimee Wilcox has been a cornerstone of field maintenance at Lebanon Sports Complex for over a decade. A familiar face at the facility, Jaimee oversees nearly 65 acres of field space, ensuring the grounds remain in top shape for training, games, and tournaments.
"I started as a volunteer when our kids played for Thunder United," Jaimee recalls. "I was the Tournament Director and Club Admin before I took on the facility manager role when CU merged with Thunder in 2019."
Over the years, Jaimee’s role has expanded, from liaising with the City of Lebanon to managing the maintenance of equipment such as goals, nets, and corner flags. Despite Ohio’s unpredictable weather and heavy usage of the fields, Jaimee works closely with the City of Lebanon Parks Department to keep the fields in great condition.
But maintaining the facility isn’t without its challenges. "The biggest challenge is keeping up with equipment maintenance," she shares. "We recently applied for grants to replace some of the older equipment, and our goal is to replace all 80+ goals over the next five years."
Jaimee’s dedication goes beyond equipment upkeep. She’s also passionate about the connections she’s built within the community. "I can only say that the people I work with and for are amazing," she says. "It’s been fun to see the Lebanon Sports Complex filled with soccer again."
And though her kids have long since moved on from soccer, Jaimee remains committed to the cause. "People ask me how long I’ll continue doing this, and I honestly don’t know," she admits with a smile. "But it’s been incredibly rewarding to maintain this facility."
Jaimee’s dog, Penny, also plays a role in her dedication. See if you can find her playing on the fields on a summer set up night further down the page! "She starts shaking when we turn onto McClure Road because she knows where she’s going," Jaimee laughs. It's clear that both Jaimee and Penny have made the Lebanon Sports Complex their second home and we'd encourage all members to thank them for their volunteer efforts. I'm sure Jaimee would enjoy telling you the story about the day she had to deal with uninvited hot air balloon pilots who threw our game schedules off by 40 minutes :)
Mark Koch: A Passion for Waldron Soccer Park
Mark Koch’s commitment to CUSC and the fields at Waldron Soccer Park is similarly deep-rooted. Involved with CUSC since 2010, Mark has worn many hats: coach, board member, referee, and field maintenance volunteer. His connection to the club goes beyond his two sons, who both played for CUSC and other local teams.
"My role just evolved over time," Mark says. "The fields are right by my house, and I’ve been helping out for the past 10 years with field maintenance, bathroom supplies, and vendor management."
Mark takes pride in his work, often describing it as “relaxing” and something he genuinely relishes. "I just enjoy doing it," he explains. "It keeps me close to soccer, and I get to contribute to the club in a way that feels rewarding." Even when his children aged out of the program or temporarily played elsewhere, Mark’s commitment didn’t waver. "I want to keep doing this even beyond my kids’ involvement," he says.
This year’s summer heat brought new challenges to Mark’s already demanding role. With no irrigation system in place, the fields took a beating from the intense sun. "The fields were getting a lot of use, and this summer was especially tough on them," he recalls. Despite these challenges, Mark remains dedicated to keeping the fields in good condition, thanks to support from the club and fellow volunteers.
Mark’s field maintenance work for CUSC often overlaps with other organizations, such as TopSoccer involvement, making his role all the more significant to the local community. He’s also quick to acknowledge the help of other volunteers. "The response from other volunteers has been fantastic, but I always encourage people to help out when the calls for assistance go out," Mark adds. "It makes everything more enjoyable and less of a chore and we would love to have more people help."
Mark's commitment was recognized a few years ago when the family name was deservedly used to name the new "Koch Pavilion" and hopefully this helps all members remember his story (pictured below).
A Shared Dedication
Though Jaimee and Mark serve different locations for different CUSC communities, their work overlaps in many ways. Both understand the challenges of maintaining fields and equipment, as well as the importance of community support. They also share a love for the game and a commitment to ensuring future generations can enjoy soccer in top-notch facilities.
As Jaimee reflects on her years of service, she offers a bit of advice for anyone considering volunteering: "If you know of any grants or funds for youth organizations, I would love to connect. Also, volunteers who help with field setup and teardown are always much appreciated."
Mark echoes similar sentiments, encouraging others to pitch in when they can. "It’s a rewarding experience," he says. "The club’s support makes it so much more enjoyable, and we always welcome volunteers to keep things running smoothly."
Whether it’s fixing a goal post, setting up fields for a tournament, or simply checking the nets, the work of these unsung heroes is essential to CUSC’s success. Jaimee Wilcox and Mark Koch exemplify what it means to be a volunteer in youth sports— dedicated, passionate, and ready to serve.
Thank you, Jaimee and Mark, for all you do. Your hard work and commitment make CUSC a better place for everyone and ensures we can get our players, coaches and families out on the field! Without that, there is no game!
If you would like to join Jaimee and Mark in volunteering at the club, you can visit this page
here or email
jwilcox@cincinnatiunitedsc.com.
WeCU
Thank you to everyone who has submitted content to us recently. Where appropriate, your content will be shared via our website, social media and other online channels. Every newsletter will contain a selection of some of the photos you have shared with the club, just like the ones below.
Want to get see your kids, coach or team on here?
Visit our Tell Your Story page or Email content@cincinnatiunitedsc.com.
Staff Spotlight
As well as our Coaches Corner piece higher up this page, we focus on one of our CUSC staff members every quarter. Read on to learn more about Tony Fletcher.
Name: Tony Fletcher
Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio
Tell us about your life away from the field:
I lead a Technology Product Management team that builds data & analytics platforms in the cloud during the day. My wife, Amanda, and I have 3 sons (Drew, Alex & Aidan) and two Goldendoodles (Bella & Duke). Drew is a freshman in college. Alex and Aidan are in HS and both play for the club.
When did you start coaching?
2009
When did you join the club?
2019
What's your best memory on and off the field at the club?
My best memory at the club so far has to be last spring and summer when my CU North 10B Elite 1 team won President’s Cup and were able to go to Regionals in South Dakota. Not all of our players could make the trip so we took a combined CU North / CUP team to Regionals and watching the players bond, come together as one team and compete was special. [more on this in our 'Partners on the Pitch' section elsewhere in this edition]
What is your role at the club currently?
I am the CU North Age Group Director for Boys U12-U19 and I am the coach of CU North 12B Elite 1, CU North 10B Elite 1 and CU North 08B Elite 1.
Can you tell us more about the work you have been doing over the last year or so for the U12-U19 ages at CU North?
The last year I’ve been working on continuing to create continuity as our 9v9 age group transitions in the 11v11 game and the years right before HS starts. I’ve also been working to strengthen the player pathways in the older age groups whether that be internal to our CU North teams or between CU and the CUP program as we continue to build the 'OneClub' mentality.
Where do you see this area of the club in one year?
I think this area of the club will get even stronger with another talented group coming in at U12 next year and with the quality coaching staff we have in place. We will continue to build the relationships with our players and staff within each age group and strengthen our connection to our CU Southeast community and the CUP Program.
What is your favorite part of being involved with these age group at CU North?
There is such an explosion of growth in these age groups as the players go from pre-teen to teenagers to young men, not only in their development on the pitch but also so much growth in them as people as they mature and get older.
What role do you feel that both the communities of CU North and CU Southeast play in the overall mission of CUSC?
The CU North and CU Southeast communities are the foundation to everything we do at the club. From the Juniors Program and the DL, through the ages and stages before and after the CUP program begins at U11. The love of the game, competing and growing as people and players begins in those communities and is carried throughout the club.
Each edition we focus on a CUPGOAL, and this time around it is GROWTH-MINDED. How does that translate to the youth soccer world for you?
Growth-Minded is one of my favorite CUPGOALs. Our players will experience so many situations in life both on and off the pitch. How they approach those situations will determine how much and how fast they will learn and grow. Being Growth-Minded means being open to the lessons from success, but also open to the lessons from failure, realizing that’s not the end but just another learning opportunity.
Thanks to Tony for his continued work and for helping with our 'Staff Spotlight' feature. We look forward to sharing more information on another CUSC staff member in the next edition. Please reach out to content@cincinnnatiunitedsc.com if you have a nomination!
Where are they now?
In each newsletter we highlight the achievements or tell the story of our various club alumni. In this edition we will examine the transition of our alumni playing soccer at college, and touch on a few recent stories of success this past season.
A Focus on CUSC Alumni in College Soccer
At CUSC, we are proud to see our alumni continue their soccer journeys at the collegiate level. The transition from club to college soccer is no small feat, and many of our former players have gone on to achieve great success. In this edition, we’ll highlight how their experiences at CUSC have helped them thrive in college, and how we’re continuing to solidify the pathway from our youth programs to college soccer.
The Path to College Soccer: Skills and Journey
For many players, the skills and work ethic developed at CUSC are key to succeeding in college soccer. From technical training to tactical awareness, the experiences at youth level provide a foundation that helps players transition to the higher level of play in college. Our alumni often tell us how the discipline, teamwork, and competitive environment at CUSC prepared them for the challenges of college soccer.
A Club’s Pride: Watching Our Alumni Excel
As a club, we take immense pride in watching our alumni succeed in college soccer. Seeing players develop from their early years at CUSC into successful college athletes is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both the players and our coaching staff. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our alumni representing their families on the national stage, and as an extension of that we celebrate every achievement, big or small. Our staff remains deeply invested in the success of our players, even after they’ve moved on to college. And there's nothing like seeing a mature student athlete return to the field and coach where they did their best work in their formative years!
A Call for Connection: Growing the Alumni Story, Especially on the Girls' Side
While we’re proud of all our alumni, we recognize the importance of increasing involvement from our membership, especially on the girls’ side. Recently we have started to share these stories more and more on Social Media, and if you don't follow us, we encourage you to do so (links at the bottom of this edition). Our boys' side have been the pilots for this increased story-telling and now our girls' side is ready to follow- we want to hear more about the stories of our female alumni who have gone on to play college soccer. Sharing these stories not only inspires current players but also helps to highlight the incredible talent coming from CUSC.
Strengthening the Pathway: Nearly 1,000 CUSC Players in College
At CUSC, we’ve placed nearly 1,000 players in college since we began tracking this milestone several years ago. This accomplishment is a reflection of the club’s commitment to developing top-tier soccer players and helping them achieve their dreams of playing at the collegiate level. Our alumni’s success is a testament to the strength of our club's pathways, and we are committed to continuing to nurture that journey for future players.
Alumni Spotlights: A Few of Our Success Stories
These are just a few examples of our alumni's recent accomplishments. We are excited to share their stories, but there are many more out there. We encourage you to reach out and let us know about the alumni in your lives.
- Ohio State University has had an incredible season, with 6 CUSC Boys alumni helping their team win the Big 10 Championship, securing the #1 seed in the NCAA tournament and reaching the Final Four. Their success is a shining example of what CUSC players can achieve at the highest levels.
- Kailyn Dudukovich and Sydney Jones, also from Ohio State, have had a tremendous career with the women's team. They played for the club at the Juniors age group, through CU and then for CUP for several years, and both were named to the United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Team as Seniors this past fall. Kailyn was also named a USC First Team All-American, a MAC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist, and finished her career with 44 goals and 98 points, surpassing the program's career record for goals and points.
- Alex Free, a key player for the Dayton Flyers, helped his team reach their highest-ever ranking of #5. His efforts on the field have been instrumental in bringing the Flyers to national prominence.
- Jordyn Rhodes experienced her first year of professional soccer with Tindastoll in Europe after finishing the 2023 season as the University of Kentucky's all-time women's leader in goals scored.
- Jordan Geis, still playing in college for UC Clermont whilst also coaching at CUSC, was recently part of the team that won back to back National Championships.
- Ohio Northern University is currently ranked #19 nationally, and the team features 13 CUSC Boys alumni. Their efforts helped the team reach the NCAA second round, showcasing the strong impact CUSC alumni continue to have in college soccer, as well as demonstrating the powerful bond that is created within our club and the success it can have beyond our community.
Looking Ahead: We Want to Hear From YOU!
We are just getting started! These are just a few of the many success stories coming out of CUSC, and we know there are so many more. Social media has allowed us to connect with even more alumni, and we encourage everyone to stay engaged and share these stories.
You are still a part of CUSC even if you are no longer a player on the field and we would to hear from YOU! Let’s continue to build the connection and share the stories of success that all of us at CUSC can be proud of.
As you can tell, we want more stories, especially on the girls side. You can reach out to us by emailing content@cincinnatiunitedsc.com or by submitting content on the 'Tell Your Story' page here.
Here are the Social Media links if you want to look at some of our recent posts about other Alumni achievements in college:
What's next?
Here are some of the key dates on the CUSC calendar over the next 3 months:
- Winter Block Two starts January 6th week
- The 2nd Annual Senior Banquet will be held on February 4th at the Oasis Country Club
- Girls Buckeye Showcase and clothing drive February 17th (Presidents' Day)
- All Coaches Meeting March 17th
- Outdoor training begins early to mid March (weather and community permitting)
Are there links you were looking for that were mentioned above?
Thank you for reading this edition of our newsletter.
We look forward to sharing more in March! If you want to share content with us at any time you can visit our Tell Your Story page. Visit our News page to learn more about the club or to catch up on any previous editions of this newsletter.