Coaches earned honor after completing rigorous 18-month course from February 2023 to August 2024
NEW YORK (Wednesday, October 30, 2024) – Major League Soccer today announced that 22 coaches received their Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL) in partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF). One of the most highly regarded and rigorous soccer coaching courses in the world, the fifth iteration of the EFCL ran a total of seven weeks over an 18-month period, which culminated at the famed INF Clairefontaine outside of Paris in August.
As part of the program, coaches were required to submit a final project that incorporated classroom and on-field instruction, illustrating their ability to master teachings over the course of the 18 months. The projects were then evaluated based off the candidates’ ability to implement a principle of play within their environment or team. Of the below 22 coaches that received their Elite Formation Coaching License, the San Jose Earthquakes’ Erin Ridley became the first woman from MLS to complete the program. The LA Galaxy’s Sam Al-Basith will complete his final certification in December.
Club | Name | Role |
Atlanta United | Will Bates | U16 Head Coach |
Charlotte FC | Patrick Daka | U14 Head Coach/ Director of Pre-formation |
Chicago Fire FC | Selim Talbi | U16 Head Coach |
FC Cincinnati | Tyrone Marshall | MLS NEXT Pro Head Coach |
Colorado Rapids | Elliot Prost | U17 Head Coach |
DC Soccer Club | Matt Arrington | Director of Coaching |
FC Dallas | Adam Wells | U16 Head Coach |
Houston Dynamo FC | Jeremy Hurdle | Interim MLS NEXT Pro Head Coach |
Sporting Kansas City | Luis Pacheco | U15 Head Coach |
Los Angeles Football Club | Andrew May | U18 Head Coach |
Nashville SC | Jason Boxx | U16 Head Coach |
New England Revolution | Rob Becerra | Director of Youth Development |
New England Revolution | Liam Connors | U14 Head Coach |
New York City FC | Michael Dal Pra | U18 Head Coach |
New York Red Bulls | Jonathan Rhodes | Head of Player Development & Pro Pathway |
Ohio Premier Soccer Club | Eric Dutt | Boys Formation Director/U16 Head Coach |
Philadelphia Union | Pedro Cavalcanti | U16 Head Coach |
Philadelphia Union | Peter McDonnell | U18 Head Coach |
San Jose Earthquakes | Erin Ridley | U16 Head Coach |
San Jose Earthquakes | Steven Sosa | U18 Head Coach |
Seattle Sounders FC | Brayton Knapp | Development Methodology Assistant and Analyst/U15 Head Coach |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Dan Fairhurst | U18 Head Coach |
Overall, the EFCL platform has played a pivotal role in MLS Homegrown development and the growth of several head coaches, assistants, and general managers throughout MLS and MLS NEXT Pro. FC Cincinnati 2 head coach Tyrone Marshall, who was a recipient of the Elite Formation Coaching License this year, was previously named the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year on October 16. Additionally, Chicago Fire FC academy head coach Selim Talbi, helped the Fire’s U15 side win an MLS NEXT Cup championship in June before completing the program.
Coaches and front office members who previously received their Elite Formation Coaching License have laid strong coaching foundations across MLS and MLS NEXT Pro over the last decade. Notable graduates include current MLS head coaches Nico Estévez (Austin FC), Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew), and Greg Vanney (LA Galaxy).
MLS is currently working with the French Football Federation on the sixth iteration of the Elite Formation Coaching License program which would begin in the spring of 2025.
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