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 | Coaching Staff |
About Our Coaches
Mass Youth Soccer is fortunate to have a strong corps of both full-time and part-time instructional staff personnel to run its active Instructional program that provides for both coach and player development.
Our full-time staff is comprised of five talented individuals – a Director of Coaching, Director of Training and Evaluation, and three Development Coaches, and we are happy to welcome a fifth member to the team as a part-time Development Coach this year. Here is a brief outline of their backgrounds.
Mike Singleton – Director of Coaching 
A native of Beverly, Mike returns to the state as Head State Coach and Director of Coaching for the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association. Prior to his current position, he directed both the Kirkwood Soccer club (DE) and the Barrington Area Soccer Association (IL) and worked as a collegiate men's coach at the NCAA I and II levels. Mike has served as a NCAA II women's coach and works for both girls and boys Region I ODP. In addition, he has taught state licensing courses in 3 states and coached ODP in 4 states. Mike is a US Youth Soccer National Staff Coach, served on the FIFA Technical Committee for the 2003 Women's World Cup, and worked on the CONCACAF Technical Committee for the 2005 Gold Cup. Prior to coaching, Mike worked as a psychologist after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and earning a Master's Degree in child clinical psychology from Purdue University. He has conducted and published research in both sports psychology and nutrition. Mike holds his USSF A, NSCAA Premier, and NSCAA GK Level I licenses as well as having his US National Youth, KNVB Youth, and FA Youth Licences.
Contact: Mass Youth Soccer extension 228: email: MSingleton@mayouthsoccer.org Tom Goodman - Director of Training and Evaluation
Tom returns to his home state of Massachusetts from Colorado to join Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association as the Director of Training and Evaluation, the newest position in the association. Tom holds a Masters Degree in Administration of Education as well as USSF "A" and National Youth Licenses. His past soccer management experience includes: US Youth Soccer National Director of Coaching Education, USSF Region I National Staff Coach, Director of Coaching and Player Development for the PA West Soccer Association. Tom has also held the positions of President/Director of World Class Soccer, Inc., and President of the Windsor/World Class Soccer Club.
Contact: Mass Youth Soccer extension 232: email: TGoodman@mayouthsoccer.org Mario Prata – Development Coach
Mario brings an international flavor to Mass Youth Soccer's development coach staff. Born in Portugual, Mario played on the Portuguese Under 17, 19 and 21 national teams, as well as for first division club Benfica. His playing experience here in the US included the Lowell Blues of the Luso American Soccer Association (LASA). Mario has a US Soccer “A” license, US Soccer National Youth License, and a NSCAA National Diploma. He is also the US National Team U14 Boy's Staff Coach, Region 1 U12 Boy's Head Coach, and Region 1 U13 Boy's Asst. Coach. He also focuses on expanding opportunities to the Hispanic and Portuguese communities.
Contact: Mass Youth Soccer extension 315; email: MPrata@mayouthsoccer.org
Assigned areas– North Eastern Mass
(Northern BAYS, Middlesex, Essex, Mass Soccer Conference, Maple)
Laura Ray- Development Coach
Laura served as the Head Women's Coach at Cortland State University in New York. Previously she has served as an assistant at the University of Akron, Binghamton University, the University of Plattsburgh and Springfield College. In addition, Laura has experience coaching both boys and girls club teams and has also served as a physical education teacher at the collegiate level. Her coaching credentials include a USSF B License and National Youth license, as well as an NSCAA Advanced National License. Laura holds a master's degree in Athletic Counseling from Springfield College and a BA from the University of Plattsburgh where she was a 3-year All-Conference player, Northeast Region All American, and the college's Female Athlete of the Year her senior year. After college, Laura played in the English Premier League with the Aresenal Women's Football Club, then one year in the W-League with the Fingerlake Heartbreakers.
Contact: Mass Youth Soccer extension 229; email:LRay@mayouthsoccer.org
Assigned areas – South Eastern Mass
(Southern BAYS, Coastal, South Coast, South Shore , Mass Soccer Conference, Maple)
Instructional Staff
In addition to Mike and the three development coaches, Mass Youth Soccer also has an Instructional Staff that is composed of a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to high ideals in sports and to the development of excellent coaches. Most are teachers, many are college coaches; all have wide experience in soccer. Most of the staff coaches have US Soccer A or B licenses.
Mass Youth Soccer is always looking for talented individuals to complement its coaching staff. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Mike Singleton.
Coaches code of conduct.Setting up a course or session....
For questions about coaching courses, or for help scheduling events such as license courses, specialty clinics, tryouts, or player development sessions, please email Tara Pierce, tpierce@mayouthsoccer.org or call, 1800-852-8111 ext. 225. For content questions, please contact the development coach assigned to your area.  | | |