PSPL Academy Coaches
Kristian Powell- Girls 98 Head Coach
Kristian holds a USSF National “A” License. He's started the first part of the UEFA "A" with plans to finish in 2015-16 with the English FA. He graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a BSC Science and Soccer Degree one of the most prestigious soccer courses in Europe. He holds the NSCAA Director of Coaching certificate. Kristian is currently the Director of Coaching at Northwest United developing some great teams and players within his time there. Kristian gained invaluable knowledge of the game playing for Norwich City Academy and Cambridge United Academy in Enlgand as a youth as well as moving to play professionally in Spain for 2 years before coming to the US and playing semi-pro for the PSSA Rapids indoor/outdoor team.
Kristian likes to create a learning environment so players can express themselves with hard work, creativity and dedication. Technique and ball mastery are fundamental to his player development- so players have the tools to dictate, as a team, the possession and control of games.
Neil Riddle- Girls ’02 and Boys ’01 Head Coach
Neil brings more than 13 years of coaching experience as well as his USSF “A” license, a NSCAA National Premier and Director of Coaching diplomas to the Academy Coaching staff. He played semi-pro in England for Hamble Football Club and Aerostructures FC.
Neil has managed clubs in Florida including working as the Tecnhical Director for the Hernando Heat Soccer Club as well as the Director of Coaching for the Brooksville Raid Soccer Club; he currently works as the Assistant Director of Coaching for the Issaquah Soccer Club.
Steve Richards-Boys ’96 Head Coach
A former English First Division player, Steve Richards, 49, is currently the Director of Coaching for RSA Elite in the Tacoma area. He also maintains his close connections to the college soccer world. Richards has been the assistant coach for Nova Southeastern University in south Florida since 2005 and maintains close ties there as well as through his Extreme Academy Training Camps, which connects soccer players to colleges and universities.
The Extreme Academy is designed to physically train and educate soccer players, and parents, who have aspirations to play at the collegiate level. The unique academy curriculum provides an in-depth step-by-step process for players to get placed at a college (JC), NAIA, Division 3, Division 2, and ultimately Division 1 levels, and if theyhave the potential to place them in the Professional circuits.
Richards was part of Post-to-Post International Strikers Training Centers that combined with former U.S. national team coach Tony DeCicco’s Soccer Plus, which became one of the largest soccer development programs for strikers and keepers in the U.S.
Richards is a former professional goal-keeper in the English Premier Leagues. He signed with Aston Villa Football Club at age 17. Between 1980-1988, he played eight seasons in the top English divisions, including Aston Villa, Oxford United and Port Vale. He then moved to the United States and played for the Orlando Sundogs in the USL A-League and then became head coach for the Orlando Nighthawks, a semi-pro D-3 team in the USL.
Richards holds an English FA license, which is equivalent to a USSF “B” license. He also holds an NSACAA National and Advance National diplomas as well as holds the Goal-keeping and Advance Goal-Keeping diplomas from the NSCAA. He has a Personal Training certificate and University degrees in nutrition and sports psychology.
Richards was the Coaching Director for the Megu-Fusion Soccer Club in Melbourne, Fla., between 2005-2011, where several teams have reached the finals of the Florida State Cup.
“I am a living example of how hard work as a young lad paid big dividends,” Richards said. ” I was lucky enough to make it to the pros — and I know what it takes to reach the next level — whether it’s college or the pros. And I want to help you get there.”
Alex Cunliffe-Boys ’98 Head Coach
Currently girls director for ISC/Gunners in Issaquah.
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Youth Academy Director Everton America Connecticut Soccer Club, Norwalk, CT August 2007 – 2013
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Fairfield University - B.A. in Organizational Communication and Management
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CJSA Connecticut Coach of the Year 2012 – Awarded in January 2013
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CJSA Connecticut State Technical Training – U10-U14 Specific State Youth Module – Completed January 2013
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National Soccer Coaches of America ‘Director of Coaching Diploma’ – Completed January 2012
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National Soccer Coaches of America ‘Advanced National Diploma’ – Completed July 2011 with Distinguished Pass
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CJSA Connecticut ODP Volunteer Coach – Held position with Boys 1995 age group Jan 2013` through June 2013
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CJSA Connecticut State Technical Training – U6-U10 Specific State Youth Module – Completed January 2011
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National Soccer Coaches of America ‘National Diploma’ – Completed July 2010 with Distinguished Pass
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F.A Learning Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football with Bolton Wanderers FC – Completed August 2009
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F.A Learning Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football with Bolton Wanderers FC – Completed March 2009
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National Soccer Coaches of America ‘State Diploma’ – Completed March 2008
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National Soccer Coaches of America ‘Advanced Regional Diploma’ – Completed August 2007
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National Soccer Coaches of America ‘Regional Diploma’ – Completed August 2007
Playing Experience:
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Fairfield University Men’s Soccer Team Captain and 4 Year Starter – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
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Fairfield University Freshman Athlete of the Year – 2004
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Fairfield University Male Athlete of the Year – 2007
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MAAC Conference Defensive Player of the Year – 2004
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MAAC Conference All Rookie Team of the Year – 2004
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MAAC Conference All First Team – 2004, 2006, 2007
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England School Boys U18 First Team Captain – 2001 & 2002
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Great Britain Catholic School Boys U16 First Team Captain – 1998 & 1999
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Professional Youth Experience with Walsall FC, Tranmere Rovers FC, Bolton Wanderers
Amanda Axelson- Academy Administrator/Assistant Coach
Amanda has loved the game of soccer since the day she was born. She grew up playing for Eastside FC and spent three years on the Washington State ODP team; at Cedarcrest High School she spent four years as a starting Forward/Outside Mid for the Varsity team and set a school record by scoring 40 goals with 27 assists in her senior year. She was recruited by Seattle Pacific University and was the starting forward for their 2008 National Championship winning squad.
Amanda now coaches the U-15 A and U-18 A teams for the ISC Gunners and also coaches the Cedarcrest High School Girl’s soccer Varsity team. She aspires to influence young, competitive players to become creative, smart footballers who understand the importance of hard work, discipline, and team play.
Phil Harris- Girls '01 Head Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
2005-2007 – Graham, WA: Boys/Girls Head Varsity Coach, Graham-Kapowsin High School
2008-2013 – Puyallup, WA: Boys Head Varsity Coach, Emerald Ridge High School-Perennial State Power at 4A (Ranked top-10 all 5 years), State Tournament in 2009/2011
2007-2008 – Puyallup, WA: Boys U11 Head Coach, South Hill Revolution-State Semi-Finalist
2008-2010- Tacoma, WA: University of Puget Sound Men’s Soccer-Assistant Coach
2008-2010 – Puyallup, WA: Boys U12/Boys U12 Head Coach, Washington Premier FC-State Semi-Finalist
2010-2011-Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Men’s Soccer ID Symposium-Evaluator/Speaker
2010-2012-Grand Rapids, MI: North Coast Futbol Academy Founder/Technical Director
2011-Present-Puyallup, WA: RSA Elite Director of Development
2012-Present-Puyallup, WA: RSA Elite Tournament Director
2011 – Present- Puyallup, WA: Boys U10-U13 Head Coach, RSA Elite-U10 Super League Champion, U11 NWCL, U11Super League Fall Runner Up/Spring Champion, WA Cup Finalist, U12 WSPL Fall Champion, U12 Pacific Coast Super Cup Finalist, U13 NWCL
2013-Present- Puyallup, WA: Girls U15 College Prep Pre-Academy Head Coach, RSA Elite-Top-2 Fall League, Qualified for WSPL, U15 Washington Timbers Champions
2013-Present- PSPL: G’00 Coach, Avalanche Invitational Finalist
2013-Present- PSPL: G’01 Coach
2013-Present- Melbourne Beach, FL:Extreme Academy Instructor
Darrel Marcelle- Boys '02 Head Coach and Girls 97/96 Assistant
Darrel is currently the Director of Coaching for Newport F.C. located in Bellevue Washington . He comes from a pedigree of international players from Trinidad and Tobago, following in his father’s footsteps by playing for the Trinidad and Tobago’s national team, after being selected at age 16. Following four years of Division 1 soccer at Howard University. Darrel pursued his professional and international career in the A League and in Europe. He has turned his passion and love for the game into a prestigious coaching career. He coached at Empoli FC in the Italian Serie A League and brought his knowledge back to the states, where he coached at several programs, including Mt St Mary’s University and also been a Region 1 Olympic Developmental Program Coach for four years and was formerly the Director of Coaching for Premier AC in Northern Virgina. The club produced and developed several college, professional and international players. Darrel holds a BA in Science, USSF “A” and Youth National License and is also certified by the Italian Football Federation.
Chris Hanson- Boys '97/96 Head Coach
Coaching Philosophy:
The player needs to be given the opportunity to develop his/her skill level in a structured learning environment that continually challenges the player while providing encouragement and support. Each player needs to develop their core skills constantly to provide them with a solid base as they progress. The player and team will benefit when exposed to challenging drills that require effective decision making and precise execution under pressure. The repetitiveness of these varied exercises during training helps develop competency and confidence in the players. Education in proper body mechanics and learning how to live the lifestyle of an athlete will help further their growth in not only Soccer but in life as well.
Chris has experience playing soccer at the club, collegiate, and semi-professional levels (PDL and PASL). He is a candidate for the USSF Level “C” License and he is also working on getting his certification in Sports Nutrition. From 2010-2012 he was the President, Coach, and Player of WSU’s Club Soccer Team and also a member of the WSU Women’s D1 Soccer Program staff.
Erik Oman has over 25 years of professional experience in soccer as a player, coach, educator and consultant. With a background in kinesiology and child development, he has coached youth, collegiate and semi-professional soccer, served as a club and state director of coaching, and provided high-level coaching education across the country. He played collegiate soccer at Indiana University for legendary coach Jerry Yeagley and played professionally in Denver, Colorado for the Colorado Foxes. He holds a US Soccer ‘A’ License, National Goalkeeper Coaching License, National Youth License and a NSCAA Premier Diploma. He is a Founding Partner of the Club Development Network, he teaches coaching education courses for both US Soccer and the NSCAA as well as working for Major League Soccer as a Professional Match Evaluator.
Erik Oman- Academy Goal Keeping Coach and Girls '00 Assistant Coach
Coaching Philosophy:
My coaching philosophy consists of an obvious purpose to teach and improve upon the technical aspects of the position with the ultimate goal to teach young athletes to think critically about what they are doing physically and mentally and how that plays in to the technical and tactical aspects of the game. I specialize in developing drills and training sessions that challenge goalkeepers both in physical power and stamina while integrating lecture points and open discussion to help them better grasp and apply positional concepts. My ultimate objective is to teach goalkeepers to coach themselves so that they can continue to develop their game when a trainer is not present.
Coaching Experience:
(2013 – Present) Crossfire Development Academy Camps – Goalkeeper Trainer/Coach
(Summer 2013) SoccerPlus Camps – Goalkeeper Trainer/Coach/Evaluator and Camp Counselor
(2010 - 2013) SPU Youth Camps – Instructor/Counselor and Administrative Assistant
(2012 - 2013) Roosevelt High School – Goalkeeper Trainer/Varsity Assistant
(2013 – Present) Seattle Celtic – Goalkeeper Trainer/Coach
(2013 – Present) PSPL Academy – Goalkeeper Coach/Trainer and General Assistant
(2014) Fuerza Futebol Club – WPSL Goalkeeper Trainer/Evaluator
Zach Johnson- Academy Goal Keeper Coach
