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GORAN VASIC | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(goran@sportingct.com)                                                  

Teams: 2007 Girls and 2007 Boys


COACHING CREDENTIALS                                                                                                                                     

  • USSF "A" National Coaching License
  • USSF "B" National Coaching License
  • CSHOF - Connecticut Soccer Hall Of Fame Inductee - Class of 2020


COACHING EXPERIENCE

  • 2007-2011 NORTH BRUNSWICK SOCCER CLUB (North Brunswick, New Jersey), Training Consultant.                   
  • 2001-2005 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP SOCCER CLUB (Washington Township, New Jersey), Coach
  • Coach of U-11 WT-LIGHTNING and U-13 WT –BULLDOGS, Two NJ state number one youth soccer teams
  • 2000-Present GORAN VASIC PRO SOCCER ACADEMY, Founder & Director
  • 2008-09 NEW JERSEY IRONMEN (Newark, New Jersey), Assistant Coach
  • 1998-01 CLEVELAND UNITED (Cleveland, Ohio), Director and Coach


PLAYING EXPERIENCE

  • 2007-09 NEW JERSEY IRONMEN (Newark, New Jersey), Major Indoor Soccer League Captain and player/coach
  • 2006 MILWAUKEE WAVE (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Major Indoor Soccer League
  • 2001-06 PHILADELPHIA KiXX (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Major Indoor Soccer League
  • 2000-01 MISL Champions, Twice led MISL in assists
  • 1999-00 PITTSBURGH RIVER HOUNDS (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), USL A-League
  • Team leader in points, goals and assists
  • 1998-01 CLEVELAND CRUNCH (Cleveland, Ohio), National Professional Soccer League
  • 1998-99 NPSL Championship
  • 1999 NPSL Newcomer of the Year Award winner
  • Elected to NPSL All-Star Team
  • 1997-98 HOUSTON HOTSHOTS (Houston, Texas), Continental Indoor Soccer League
  • 1997-98 CISL Rookie of the Year
  • 1988-97 RED STAR BELGRADE (Belgrade, Serbia)
  • Began playing for one of the best youth teams in the world at age of seven and stayed with them for the next nine years.
  • At the age of 17, I become a professional soccer player playing for first division teams in Serbia and former Yugoslavia.

ANDREI POPESCU | BOYS & COLLEGE PATHWAY DIRECTOR

(popescu8@hotmail.com)
Teams: 2004  and 2008 Boys.                                                                                                    
 

COACHING CREDENTIALS

  • USSF B National Coaching License
  • USSF Licenses: 11vs11, 9vs9, 7vs7, 4vs4
  • USFF Futsal State License 2
  • United Soccer Coaches - Director of Coaching Diploma
  • USC Futsal Level 1 Diploma
  • USC Key Moments In The Game
  • USC Defending Principles Of Play
  • USC Sports Psychology & Mental Individual Skills
  • USC - Creating Talent Diploma
  • CCEP (Connecticut Coaching Education Program) - High School Coaching Certificate
  • AIC Level 1 of the NFHS Coach Certificate Program
  • NFHS Fundamentals Of Coaching

 
COACHING EXPERIENCE
  • Sporting CT (2016 - Present)
  • LEAD SOCCER - Advanced Training Center Program (2014 - Present)                                                               
  • CT SOL GVSA (2017 - Present)
  • Ginga FC (2013-2016)
  • Brazil CT (2010-2016)
  • Everson Soccer Academy (2005-2016)
  • Wallingford Youth Soccer Club (2008-2016)
  • Guilford Youth Soccer Club (2008-2016)
  • Madison Youth Soccer (2008-2012)
  • Hamden Youth Soccer Club (2010-2014)
  • Woodbridge Youth Soccer Club (2012-2014)
 
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
  • Quinnipiac University Men's Soccer
  • Ulster County Community College
  • IMG Soccer Academy
 
LANGUAGES
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Romanian
 
RECOGNITION / AWARDS
  • Quinnipiac University NCAA D1 Men's Soccer - Full Athletic Scholarship 
 
LEADERSHIP
  • Founder at www.Lead2Rise.com - Sports Consulting Agency (Workshops, Online Coaching, Leadership Academy) 
  • Founder at http://www.LEADsoccer.com (LEAD SOCCER - Elite Supplemental Soccer Training Program, One-on-One, Elite Small Group Training)
  • Coach Andrei Popescu - YouTube Channel

BRANKO OBRENOVIC | GIRLS DIRECTOR

(obrenovic.b@gmail.com)

Teams: 2006 and 2005 Girls                         

                                                                   

 

COACHING CREDENTIALS

  • Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, (2009)  Belgrade University – Phd, Sport Science                                                                                   
  • Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Belgrade University - Masters Degree (2009)
  • Bachelor of Sports Professor, Football department
  • Football Coaches School, FA Serbia, UEFA "A" License.
  • Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade
  • Personnel Centre - Football coach
  • Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade, Professor of Sports, Football department
  • Football coaches School, FA Serbia, UEFA "B" license
  • High School of Coaching Belgrade, Senior football coach

 

COACHING EXPERIENCE

  • F.C. Zarkovo, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Head coach: U-12, U-14, U-16, U-18, U-21.
  • Senior team Head coach, 3rd League (2003),
  • Senior team Assistant coach, 3th League (2006)
  • F.C. Zvezdara, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Senior team Assistant coach, 3th League
  • Coordinatior for youth categories
  • F.C. IM Rakovica, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Senior team - Head coach and Assistant coach – 3th League
  • F.C. Borca, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Head coach: U-16,
  • Head coach - Youth team - Serbian national League
  • Senior team - Assistant coach – Serbian 2th League
  • Football Academy Zarkovo, Belgrade, Serbia (co-founder)
  • Head coach: U-6, U-7, U-8, U-9, U-10, U-11, U-12,
  • Coordinator of coaching staff
  • JT International, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Head coach of company’s football team for The Adriatic region  
  • (Serbia, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia)
  • Selection and preparation for Regional JTI championship
  • JTI CE Football Championship 2008, Switzerland
  • JTI CIS+ Football Championship 2010, Russia
  • JTI CIS+ Football Championship 2012, Serbia,
  • JTI CE Football Cup 2014, Poland
  • JTI CE Football Cup 2016 Romania
  • Goran Vasic Soccer Academy, Middletown, Connecticut, Guest - expert observer: U-7, U-8, U-9, U-10, U-11
  • Middletown "Magic" Youth Soccer, Middletown, Guest - expert obserever: U-11, U-12, U-13, U-14
  • Sporting CT, Middletown, Connecticut,                                

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

  • F.C. Zarkovo, Belgrade, Serbia
  • F.C. Knezevac, Belgrade, Serbia
  • F.C. Cukaricki, Belgrade, Serbia

DINO ROCCO | HEAD COACH

( )

Teams: 2009 Boys,

 

COACHING CREDENTIALS

  • USSF E Coaching License
  • CIAC Coaching Certificate

 

COACHING EXPERIENCE

 

  • 29+ Years of Coaching Experience at all leveles
  • Newington High School For 4 Years
  • All Congrence NHS

 

CARL LOMBARDO | HEAD COACH

 

( )            

Teams 2011 and 2007 Gold Boys                                                                                                                             

 

COACHING CREDENTIALS                                                                                                                                                        

  • USSF B License
  • USC Premier Diploma

 

COACHING EXPERIENCE

  • Oakwood Soccer Club
  • Connecticut Football Club (CFC)
  • Rocky Hill High School Boys Varsity Coach
  • Columbus Soccer Association
  • Arsenal Soccer Club
  • Ohio ODP

 

RECOGNITION / AWARDS

  • Ohio State University Men's Soccer 
  • All Regional 4 various All-Tournament Teams
  • Oakwood Soccer Club and Vinal Tech High School:
  • 1st Team All American
  • Region 1 ODP                                                                                                                                                                                        
Victor Lopez | HEAD COACH
 
( )
Teams: 2011 Girls  and 2012 Boys

 

COACHING CREDENTIALS

  • USSF "D" National License
  • CT High School Coach Certification
  • USC Goalkeeper Level 1

 

COACHING EXPERIENCE

  • Sporting CT (2016 - Present)
  • CT SOL (2017 - Present) 
  • Lyman Hall High School
  • 2016 CFC Sound 
  • 2012-16 Cheshire Soccer Club
  • 2013-15 Brazil CT
  • 2012-15 Everson Soccer Academy
  • 2009-11 North Haven Soccer Club

 

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

  • DC United Reserves
  • Universitario de Deportes

HIKMET ASLAN - HEAD COACH      

 

Teams: 2006 Boys                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

COACHING CREDENTIALS

  • 2000                NSCAA National Diploma, Amherst College, MA                                                                                   
  • 1995                Technical Director, Turkish Soccer Federation, Ankara, TURKEY                                                         

COACHING EXPERIENCE

  • 2017-Pre.         Head Coach, Kingswood Oxford School-Boys Varsity Soccer Team, W. Hartford, CT
  • 2017- Pre.       Coach, MYS Sporting CT 2005 Boys,and 2002 Boys Premier Team, Middletown, CT
  • 2014-2017       Coach, FSA FC United U18/19 Boys, U13-Boys, U23 Men’s Team, Juniors U10/11, CT
  • 2008-2011       Instructor, Teach a for-credit soccer class at Manchester Community College
  • 1999-2005       Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach, University of Hartford, W. Hartford, CT
  • 2003-2004       Assistant Coach, U-17 Boys ODP Team, CT
  • 2000-2003       Coach, FSA Premier Club U-14 Boys Team, Farmington, CT
  • 2001-2003       Coach, U-14 Girls and U-13 Boys, Glastonbury Club teams, CT
  • 1996-1999       Coach, Boys Varsity and  Boys JV Soccer Team, Watkinson School, W. Hartford, CT
  • 1994-1995       Assistant Coach, Petrol Ofisi Sports, Pro. Youth Soccer Team, Ankara, TURKEY
  • 1993-1994       Coach, Petrol Ofisi Sports Club, Amateur Soccer Team, Ankara, TURKEY

1982-1986       Coach/Player, Hacettepe University Men’s Soccer Team, Ankara, TURKEY

 

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

  • 2004-Present   Player, Southern New England Amateur Soccer League (SNEASL)
  • 1984-1988       Turkish National Team Player, TURKEY
  • 1980-1995       Professional Soccer Player, TURKEY
    • 9 Division I Teams, 4 Division II Teams
  • 1982-1984       Amateur National Team Player, TURKEY
  • 1980-1982       Youth National Team Player, TURKEY

 

RECOGNITION / AWARDS

  • 1994                Golden Boot/The highest goal scorer of the year, TURKEY
  • 1993                Fair Play Award, TURKEY
  • 1985-1988       Outstanding Soccer Player award, TURKEY
  • 1985                League MVP/The Best Soccer Center-Forward of the year, TURKEY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

​DYLAN HOGAN | HEAD COACH

( )

Teams:  2008 and 2009 Girls

                                                                                                                    

COACHING CREDENTIALS:
  • USSF D license
  • Heads up: concussion in youth sports
  • IYCA Youth Nutrition Specialist
  • IYCA Certified Speed and Agility Specialist
 
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
  • Sporting CT 2017-present
  • Everson Soccer Academy 2015-2017
  • Brazil CT 2015-2017
  • Wallingford Youth Soccer club 2015-2017
 
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
  • Southern Connecticut Men's Soccer, CT
  • Wallingford Warriors state and region 1 champions, CT
  • Lyman Hall High School, CT
  • CFC Wildcats, CT
  • Brazil CT Futsal, CT
 
RECOGNITION / AWARDS:
  • 2014 Boy's All Housatonic Team and Senior Bowl selection
  • Lyman Hall High School Co-Captain 2014
  • SCC Allstar Academic Team

HECTOR BALLESTEROS | HEAD COACH

Teams: Sporting CT 2010 Boys & 2004/05 Boys

 

COACHING CREDENTIALS:
  • USSF D Coaching License
  • AFA LICENSE (Argentina Futbol Asociacion Level 3 under U14)
  • CPR Certified
 

COACHING EXPERIENCE: 

  • SPORTING CT (USA) 2018 -PRESENT 
  • SOL (USA) 2018- PRESENT
  • MIDDLETOWN MAGIC (USA) 2016-2018 2007 BOYS STATE CHAMPIOM
  • DFA (USA) 2015-2016 
  • PSE (USA) 2013-2015. 
  • CFC (USA) 2010-2012 
  • Soccer Plus CT (USA) 2008-2010
  • FSA SOCCER PLUS (USA) 2006-2008
  • Estudiantes la Plata (Colombia) 2010-2018 coaching clinics every summer

 

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
  • Millonarios Youth system (Colombia) 
  • Seleccion Bogota (Colombia)  National Champion
  • Barcelona DC. 3 Division (Colombia) Marcas champions, Copa el Tiempo champions, Copa Coca Cola Champions, Copa el Tabora Champions, Copa de Campeones champions
  • CCSU 
  • Academia Bogota de Futbol 2 Division Profesional  (Colombia)
  • Equidad 2 Division Professional team (Colombia)

ROCCO CHRISTIANA | HEAD COACH

Teams: Girls 2010 and 2004 Girls                                                                                                                                      

 

 

COACHING CREDENTIALS:
  • USSF D Coaching License
  • 10+ Years Of Coaching Experience
  • GK Level 1 Diploma
  • Certified VertiMax Trainer
 
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
  • 10+ Years Of Coaching Experience
  • East Hampton Varsity Head Coach
  • CCSU Women's Club Hed Coach

 

EMILIE HERNANDEZ | HEAD COACH

Teams:  2013/14 & 2007 Girls                                                                                                                    

COACHING CREDENTIALS:
  • USSF Grassroots Coaching License
 
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
  • 2+ Years Of Coaching Experience
 
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
  • Former ECNL players
  • Former EDP player
  • Former ODP player
 
RECOGNITION / AWARDS: 
  • Won 2 State High School Championships

DANIEL FERRARI | HEAD COACH 

Teams: Sporting CT 2009 and 2008 Gold Boys

 

 

COACHING CREDENTIALS:
  • USSF D Coaching License
 
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
  • 8+ Years Of Coaching Experience
 
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
  • Semi-Pro Soccer League in Argentina

GUSTAVO VILLAGRA | HEAD COACH 

Sporting CT 2012 and 2013/14 Boys

 

 

COACHING CREDENTIALS:
  • USSF D Coaching License
  • CPR Cerified
 
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
  • Argentinian Youth League
 
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
 
LANGUAGES: 
  • Spanish
  • English

HELDER GUEDES | HEAD COACH

Teams: 2013/14 Boys                                                                                                                

COACHING CREDENTIALS:
  • USSF D Coaching License
  • USSF Grassroots Coaching (7vs7, 9vs9, 11vs11) 
  • CPR Certified
 
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
  • 15+ Years Coaching At The Youth Level
  • Wallingford Youth Soccer (Girls) 
 
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
  • U20 Junior A Division

 

AJ CORTES | ASSISTANT COACH

Teams: Assistant For 2012 Boys    

                                                                                         

COACHING CREDENTIALS:
  • USSF D National Coaching License
  • USSF Grassroots Coaching License
  • USSF 11vs11, 9vs9, 7vs7 and 4vs4
  • US Center For Safe Sports Training Certificate
 
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
  • 10+ Coaching Experience
  • Wallingford Youth Soccer Club Head Coach
  • Sporting CT Assistant Coach

 

PLAYING EXPERIENCE: ​

  • Wallingford Youth Soccer Club 
  • South Central Premier 
  • Maloney High School Soccer

 

AWARDS​

  • Boys All Conference Selection 
  • Captain At Maloney High School
LANGUAGES:
  • English
  • Spanish 
  • Portugese

EMILY DALY | ASSISTANT COACH 

 

EDUCATION 

  • Master of Science in Management - University of Hartford, Honors Graduate (Graduated May 15th, 2021) 
  • Bachelor of Art in Sociology and Bachelor of Art in Criminal Justice - University of Hartford (Graduated 2018)

 

COACHING EXPERIENCE

  • Long Valley Recreational Soccer (2014-2017) (NJ)​

 

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:

  • University of Hartford Women’s Club Soccer team (2015-2018)
  • West Morris Central High School  (2010-2014)
  • North II, Group III State Sectional Title 2011, 2013
  • Morris County Tournament Champions 2011, 2012, 2013
  • Penn State University Summer Soccer Camp- Attendee 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  • PDA (Players Development Academy) NJ
  • Long Valley United Club (travel) Soccer- 2008-2014 (NJ)

JAMES ADU | ASSISTANT COACH

Teams:  Assistant for 2011 Boys                                                                                                                 

COACHING CREDENTIALS: 

  • USSF D License
  • USSF 11v11, 9v9, 4v4
  • Safe sport certified
  • Certificate in Sport Science: strength, performance exercise, nutrition and injury prevention 
 

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

  • Sporting CT Assistant Coach 2020 Till Present
  • Coaching and training youth soccer
  • 5+ years personalizing soccer training sessions

 

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:

  • New Haven Men’s League (Boulevard) 
  • Semi-pro league in Ghana, West Africa.
  • Regional and National school tournament in Ghana and the UK
  • Ghana National Olympic Football Development Program
  • Youth Shooting Stars Academy

KEVIN BENZI | ASSISTANT COACH

Teams: Assistant For 2013/14 Boys 

                                                                                                                    

COACHING CREDENTIALS:
  • USSF Grassroots Coaching License
 
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
  • 3+ Coaching in MYS Travel Program
  • 2+ Years Coaching in MYS Park and Recreation League

 

 

 

 
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