A Challenging and Rewarding Environment for the Committed Youth Soccer player
Brandon FC’s Elite Program is for the committed youth soccer player looking for a higher level soccer experience. The program creates a challenging environment that fosters elite player development through professional coaching, competitive matches, and a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
The Elite Program is for the U8 through U19 (7 to 18 years old) age levels for both boys and girls. The players in the Elite Program begin their youth soccer experience in the Brandon FC Classic (Recreational) program that starts at four years old. Once a Brandon FC player is 7 years old (U8), the choice must be made whether to continue playing Classic soccer or join the Elite Program.
Brandon FC’s Elite Program allows our players to compete on the national stage. It requires a commitment from both the players and the parents. All players are required to attend two soccer practices per week and the players in the U13 ages and up are required to attend three practices a week. In addition to team practices, the club provides weekly speed and agility, technical skills, striker/goalkeeper and goalkeeping training sessions. A Brandon FC player has the opportunity to train four nights a week at no additional cost. All players must be in proper Brandon FC training attire.
To be a part of this program, every player goes through an annual tryout process usually in the month of May for the following season. Players are selected onto teams based on their appropriate skill level and in some instances are dual rostered onto teams within their appropriate age groups to accommodate the growth of development. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for any child that is willing to be a part of this program. We may have numerous teams in an age group to help further every player’s development.
All the coaching in the Elite Program is conducted by professional coaches under the direction of the Brandon FC coaching directors. Each team will be assigned a professional coach; however the club’s philosophy is to have the club develop the players. Therefore there will be more than one coach impacting each player’s development. The Elite teams participate in the National Premier League (NPL), the Florida Premier League (FPL), the USYSA National League, Region III Premier League (R3PL), the Club Directors League (CDL), The Florida State League (FSL) and the Florida Premier League (FPL) based on the team’s age and development level.
Club Director/Academy Director – Gary Rach
Gary Rach serves as the Academy Director and Club Director for Brandon FC. Prior to joining Brandon FC, Rach spent three years as an assistant coach at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky. The first two, he coached the women’s program and the final year worked with the perennial top 25 men’s program. His college coaching career began at local power house University of Tampa where he served as an assistant with the men’s soccer program and oversaw the goalkeeper training. Coach Rach possesses the National Youth License and has been coaching youth soccer for over 20 years. Rach also trained Brandon High School, including the team that secured the only FHSAA State Championship in the school’s history. The native of Hollywood, FL possesses a B.S. Degree in Business and resides in Brandon, FL.
Boys Director of Coaching – Clay Roberts
Clay Roberts serves as the Boy’s Director of Coaching of the Brandon FC youth teams. Coach Robert’s recently moved to Brandon from his college coaching post at PBU in Philadelphia, PA. Prior to becoming the head coach PBU, he was the assistant coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL. A native of Plant City, FL, Roberts was a standout player for Florida Southern College during his collegiate career. Following graduation, he moved on to play professionally for the Charlotte Eagles of the United Soccer League for three seasons during which the team appeared in three straight USL Championship matches, winning the title in 2005. Roberts has played for the Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League for the past three seasons, anchoring the defense of the 2007 MISL Championship team. Roberts also served as a staff coach for Charlotte Soccer Club, the South Jersey Elite Barons Soccer Academy and as the head coach of the Buxmont Torch WPSL team. Coach Roberts resides with his wife, Darcee, in Brandon, FL.
Girls Director of Coaching – Randy Belli
Randy Belli serves as the Girl’s Director of Coaching for the club. Prior to Brandon FC, Coach Belli spent eight years in the college game working with Palm Beach Atlantic University, the University of South Florida, and Saint Leo University. Coach Belli also is an instructor for the NSCAA Coaching Education Staff and serves on the FYSA State Coaching Staff for ODP. Along with the NSCAA Premier Diploma, USSF “B” License, NSCAA National Goalkeeper Diploma, NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, NSCAA National Youth Diploma and the USSF National Youth License, Belli holds a Master of Science Degree in mathematics education from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He is currently near completion on his PhD. A two-time All-American, Belli played collegiate soccer at TTU and resides in his hometown of Brandon, Fla. A product of Brandon FC, Belli spent his entire youth career at the club.
Director of Goalkeeping and CDL Technical Director – Jorge “Yoyo” Zavala
Jorge Zavala serves as the Director of Goalkeeping and CDL Technical Director for the youth teams. He will use his experience as a goalkeeper in the USL professional leagues and 15 year career in youth coaching to mentor the next generation of goalkeeping talent. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador Zavala brings a wealth of technical skills knowledge to enhance and develop our players, as well as advise, mentor and oversee our CDL Staff. Zavala played for soccer powerhouse St. Benedicts Prep alongside former US National Team stars Claudio Reyna and Gregg Berhalter. Before turning professional, he played collegiately under the leadership of Hall of Fame Coach Dr. Dave Masur at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Coach Zavala possesses a USSF National License, NSCAA National Diploma and the NSCAA State, Regional, and National Goalkeeping Diplomas. He holds a Business Degree form Shorter College and goes by his childhood nickname, Yoyo.
Director of Classic Soccer – Rocco Pecora
Rocco Pecora serves as the Director of Classic Soccer for the club. Coach Pecora has been involved with youth development for nearly three decades. His experience at all levels includes coaching high school, club, and international positions. He has completed training with the Dutch Federation (KNVB) as well as Manchester United Football Club Youth Director Rene Muelensteen. Many of his players have advanced to play in colleges across the nation. His teams have been successful in State Cup, Dallas Cup, and various international platforms including the Super Club U-14 National Championship in 2000. Most recently, Coach Pecora served as the Director of Coaching of the Player’s Club of Tampa Bay that merged with Brandon FC.
Director of Player Development – Romildo Sanches
Romildo Sanches serves as the Director of Player Development. A native of Brazil, Coach Sanches played professionally before moving to the United States. He brings a wealth of experience from previously serving three different youth soccer organizations as their Director of Coaching. A lifelong ambassador for soccer, Coach Sanches helped found the Valrico Soccer Club the Player’s Club of Tampa Bay, and Fishhawk Soccer Club. He was instrumental and helping Brandon FC and the Player’s Club of Tampa Bay merge for the good of the Greater Brandon soccer community. His primary responsibility at Brandon FC will be overseeing the technical development of players. Coach Sanches possesses the USSF “C” License.
Head Performance Coach – Owen “Mac” McCarthy
Owen “Mac” McCarthy serves as the Head Performance Coach for the club. Prior to joining Brandon FC, Mac spent two years as the Women’s Assistant Coach at the University of Southern Indiana. He was also the Co-Owner/Director of Soccer Performance Training for High Performance Training, an athlete performance center in Evansville, Indiana. Mac played collegiate soccer for ARMY at the United States Military Academy (West Point). Mac will use his experience as a SPARQ Trainer to provide players and teams in the club with training in all aspects of athletic performance including: Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction, Quickness, Flexibility and Endurance. He will also help players/teams understand the physical, physiological and nutritional needs and demands of soccer in relation to a player/team’s daily lifestyle, training and requirements for competitive games. Mac holds the USSF “D” and USSF Fitness Level 1 Licenses and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is also a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Head Athletic Trainer – Michele Latimer
Brandon FC announces the signing of Michele Latimer as the Head Athletic Trainer. Born in Stuttgart Germany, Latimer grew up playing soccer in Colorado, Maryland, and North Carolina. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from East Carolina University with an undergraduate degree in Athletic Training. While at East Carolina, Latimer worked with the cheerleading, football, women’s soccer, baseball, volleyball, and women’s basketball teams. She went on to earn an M.A. in Exercise Science from the University of South Florida while working as a Graduate Assistant in charge of women’s soccer. Upon graduation, she was hired full time with women’s soccer as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of South Florida. Latimer has previous experience working with high level women’s soccer players having served as the medical liaison to the Canadian U20 Women’s National Soccer Team as well as the Chicago Red Stars of Women’s Professional Soccer. Currently, she serves as the head athletic trainer for the Guyana Women’s National Team.
Boys NPL Technical Director – Joel Harrison
Joel Harrison serves as the Boys NPL Technical Director for Brandon FC. Coach Harrison was recently the head men’s coach at Saint Leo University. Many successful programs have flourished under the leadership of Harrison, including West Texas A&M, the University of Central Arkansas, and Newberry College. Harrison, who has a United States Soccer Federation "A" coaching license, has 15 years experience in Olympic Development coaching for men and women and has coached club soccer for 12 years. Prior to becoming head coach at Central Arkansas, Harrison was Director of Coaching and Player Development from 1997 to 1999 for the Indiana Youth Soccer Association. He also spent time in the professional game with the Pittsburg Riverhounds as their top assistant and Director of Youth Development. Coach Harrison possesses a B.S. in Kinesiology and the USSF A License.
Boys NPL Technical Director – Juan Garcia
Juan Garcia serves as a Boys NPL Technical Director for Brandon FC. Coach Garcia holds the United States Soccer Federation “B” License, the USSF National Youth License, and the NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma. He is a FYSA State ODP Staff Coach.
Justin Throneburg serves as the Girls NPL Technical Director and as a club Goalkeeping Staff Coach. An two-time All South Region and two-time All American goalkeeper at University of Tampa, Throneburg was the 91 Umbro National Goalkeeper of the Year and was inducted into the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame. His playing career includes the 92 United States Olympic Team and the Full US National Team. Throneburg spent four years coaching with former US National Team coach Tony DiCicco.
Staff Coach/ Goalkeeping Staff – Ricky Davis
Ricky Davis serves as a staff coach in our boys elite program and a club goalkeeping staff coach. Coach Davis has attained the NSCAA National Diploma and the NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma. Along with his duties at Brandon FC, he serves as the assistant coach at Florida Southern College and handles all of the women’s program goalkeeping coaching. Coach Davis is also the President of Premier Goalkeeper training. A product of Brandon FC, Davis spent his entire youth career at the club.
Staff Coach – Jason Streets
Jason Streets serves as a staff coach for the girls’ elite program. Streets has pent the last four years at Florida Southern College where he serves as the assistant coach. During that time, he helped lead Florida Southern to a school record for wins and transform the program into a national ranked contender. A standout player, Streets was an All-Conference player at Liberty University where he led the flames to two Conference Championships. No stranger to the youth game in Florida, Coach Streets has coached two Florida Youth Soccer Association State Champions.
Staff Coach – Alex Miranda
Alex Miranda serves as a staff coach for the girls’ elite program. Coach Miranda spent five years with the United States U-17 Men’s National Team staff, serving as the team administrator. His valuable experience with our nation’s best young players and the latest player development ideologies will be a tremendous addition to the staff. Before recently moving to Brandon, he was a staff coach at fellow CDL member, FC Sarasota. Coach Miranda possesses the USSF “C” License.
Staff Coach - Josh Garbee
A former youth player at Brandon FC, Josh Garbee returns to his hometown club after a stellar collegiate playing career. A four year starter at Florida Atlantic University, Coach Garbee graduated with the university’s career assists record. Along the way, he garnered a 2nd team All-Atlantic Sun Conference Award followed by two 1st team All-Atlantic Sun Conference honors. His performance in the conference tournament led to being twice names Atlantic Sun Conference All Tournament Team. Garbee also received the NSCAA All-Region selection his senior year.
Staff Coach - Jeff Jones
Former Tampa Bay Rowdie Jeff Jones joins the Brandon FC coaching staff. After an extremely successful preps career at Clearwater Central Catholic, Coach Jones was recruited to the Furman University men’s soccer program. For all four year, he was honored on the All-Southern Conference team. Three of those years, he helped Furman become Southern Conference Champions. He was also awarded with a selection to the NSCAA All Region Team. After his collegiate career, Jones signed professionally to play for the Tampa Bay Rowdies where he continued his goal scoring form. Coach Jones possesses the USSF “D” License.
Staff Coach – Jose Holguin
Staff Coach – Alan Berrios
Coach Berrios is the Assistant Coach at the University of Tampa women’s program. Prior to taking on his duties with the Spartans, Coach Berrios served as the Director of Operations on the staff of the University of South Florida helping them to their most successful season in program history. Berrios brings a wealth of coaching experience to USF, including a successful stint at the reigns of the Brandon FC Flames U-14 and U-15 program. His U14 teams were crowned Region Cup Champs in 2009 while the team was also named Region A and C Cup Champs that same year. The following year his U15 team had a repeat performance in the 2009-10 season. This team became the D1 Region Cup Champs and went on to be honored as a President’s Cup semi-finalist. Berrios has held the position as the competitive coach in Brandon Area Youth Soccer League since 2003 and holds a USSF "D" License
Staff Coach – Remo Hernandez
Staff Coach – Marco Salazar
Marco Salazar serves as a staff coach for the elite boys program. Coach Salazar played Division I soccer at NIU before embarking on his coaching career. He spent four years as the head coach at Oakton College and possesses the USSF “C” License.
Staff Coach - Javier Garcia
Staff Coach – Sammy Castellanos
Staff Coach – Mark Hall
Staff Coach – Peter Gutsche
Coach Gutsche has been on the coaching staff here at Brandon Area Youth Soccer since 1996. He has coached several teams to Regional Championships, and league titles. Coach Gutsche was selected 2006 Southeast Region Boys Coach of the year by the NSCAA, and the 2001 Girl’s Coach of the year by FYSA. He currently holds a USSF ‘D’ License, the NSCAA Junior Level VI and the NSCAA Goalkeeping Level II Diplomas. Prior to coaching, he played professionally in the Mexican 2nd Division, in Amateur leagues throughout North America, for the Florida State Select U23’s that traveled to the Southern Regionals in Texas, and for youth teams in Germany and Upstate New York.
Staff Coach – Eric Recknor
Staff Coach – Stephen Baumann
Staff Coach - Justin Wright
Staff Coach – Josh Garbee
Staff Coach – Fran Hernandez
Staff Coach – Joel Buch
Staff Coach – KC Coulthart
Staff Coach – Chris Roth
Staff Coach – Laurie Evers
Staff Coach – Scott Anderson
Staff Coach - Grandy Streets
Brandon Flames FC Elite
The Elite Program features -
Professional Training Staff
Club Director's League
Goalkeeper Training
Professional Health and Fitness Training
Access to Collegiate Coaches
College Recruitment Assistance
Preparation for Florida Olympic Development Program
Brandon FC’s Elite Program is for the committed youth soccer player looking for a higher level soccer experience. The program creates a challenging environment that fosters elite player development through professional coaching, competitive matches, and a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
