Major League Soccer today announced that 22 coaches, including Sporting Kansas City U-15 head coach Luis Pacheco, 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.
"This experience was extremely rewarding in many aspects," said Pacheco. "The instructors and the curriculum they put together to guide us and teach us through this 18-month process was unbelievable. In the course, everything has a specific purpose down to the last detail and the standard they set is very high, which can and does put you as an individual in moments of self-doubt. The intent of the course is to show you your shortcomings almost to the point of them wanting to break you before they build you back up. Every candidate experiences this self doubt, yet, we all come out of it viewing the game or our coaching process with a whole new lens. I feel myself at a different level than where I was 18 months ago, and I am excited to continue my individual growth as a coach (using the EFCL methods)to maximize the player development process for our players here at SKC."
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 | U13 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).
Pacheco joined the Sporting KC Academy in the Fall of 2017 after spending seven seasons with Oldham Soccer Club in Buckner, Kentucky, where he was the U-8 through U-16 head coach from 2011-2017. While at Oldham, he performed the roles of Academy Director from 2013-2016 and Technical Director from 2016-17. Pacheco served as a volunteer assistant at the University of Louisville from Fall 2016 to Summer 2017, helping the team reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
As a player, he developed at Vardar Soccer Club in Michigan before competing collegiately at Louisville from 2007-2011 where he helped the Cardinals to a 2010 College Cup Finals appearance.
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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