Meet Our Coaches!

  • Owner/Head Coach

    Coach Leanne is a mom of 2 boys, and a sometimes-foster mom to many more.

    She created Soccer Skills Academy in 2020 to meet needs she saw in the community. She played soccer for 10 years and has been coaching since 2013.

    Leanne loves that soccer is a catalyst for so many great life lessons and is passionate about finding fun ways to challenge and excite the kids through this sport. She has coached hundreds of kids and looks forward to welcoming back returning athletes as well as meeting new players!

  • “Coach Leanne, thank you for your encouragement and working with Erik to make soccer fun for him. He has really come out of his shell while playing this year. He looks forward to practice and has enjoyed the scrimmages.

    Erik would like to say thank you for being kind and funny and keeping it fun. “

    -Cyndi and Erik

    Coach Leanne - thank you for coaching us for the last part of our season! I had so much fun playing and running around! “

    -Greyson Wolff

  • Bri has been playing soccer in the Tri-Cities since she was four years old. Her experience includes playing for Kamiakin High School, CBCC, and local adult leagues.

    She lives in the Tri-Cities with her awesome husband and very energetic 2-year-old daughter.

    She loves the lessons and opportunities that soccer provides to youth. Working with others, dealing with adversity, how to be humble, as well as passion, sense of belonging and the life long friendships that shape amazing humans. She is excited to start her coaching career and show the youth here in the Tri-Cities why soccer is called “The Beautiful Game”.

  • “Thank you coach Bri! Emeric’s first experience of being on a team couldn’t have been better. He is loving soccer and the games. This may be the beginning of an interest for him that may last for years! Here’s to many weekends of future soccer games! Thank you for your energy and patience with working with the little ones! “

    -Dawin Strelow

    “Bri, thank you so much for being so great with the kids this season. This is Brinlee’s first time with a coach of any kind and you have made her so comfortable and excited for each practice. She is a very shy girl and I was nervous she wouldn’t participate but each week when I ask her if she’s excited for practice she says “yes and I’m going to listen to coach Bri”. She is eager to learn and you have made it such a great first sports experience for her. Thank you for all your time and patience this season. “

    -Courtney Perry

    “Thanks Coach Bri for helping Roman out with soccer this year! He looks up to you and appreciated you! You’re his favorite coach! Thanks again!!”

    -Enriquez family

    “Coach Bri,

    We appreciate you for being so patient with our son. You're always so positive and understanding with all the kiddos. Thank you for being so awesome!”

    -Luca’s Family

    “Coach Bri,

    Thanks you for giving Philip and Joanna a wonderful introduction to soccer. We were a little worried Joanna wouldn’t enjoy or be interested in soccer, but decided a low key practice/game option rather than a strict team setup would be a good way to test the waters. She ended up really enjoying her time and is already talking about doing soccer again.

    We assumed Philip would love his soccer practices, so he was just excited to have more soccer to play. While he was bummed he didn’t get to do games, he was sooooooo pumped when you let him play in one of Joanna’s games. Honestly, we were a little surprised at how well he understood the task since we haven’t watched any soccer games before.

    All this to say, thank you for teaching our kids basic soccer skills and instilling in them a love for the game. We appreciate you!”

    -Amie and Stephen Kim

    “Bri, thank you for being so kind and patient with Cole! We appreciate all you did this season!”

    -Cole’s parents

  • Riley grew up on the west side of Washington, near Olympia and moved to the Tri-Cities when he was 10 years old.

    Riley started playing soccer at 6 years old and then played through Three Rivers and other select soccer leagues.

    His favorite thing about working with the kiddos in soccer is watching them all have fun working through drills, learning new skills, and then applying their new techniques on the field - he loves seeing kids crush their goals and seeing them smile when they learn something new.

    When he’s not coaching soccer, Riley works as a Paraeducator in kindergarten at a local elementary school. He’s currently enrolled in college to earn a degree in Elementary Education to become a kindergarten teacher.

  • “Coach Riley: Your encouragement and happy attitude has really gone a long way in helping Ivy feel confident to continue to play and learn the game. Thank you! “

    -Leanna Lam

    “Coach Riley! Thankyou for always having fun with the kids at practice!”

    -Jessica Ramos

    “Riley is great coach, my kid really loves him, he makes soccer play so happy and funny.”

    -Emma Wu

  • Coach Shanie started playing soccer when she was 6 years old, and remembers playing on the TCYSA fields for soccer tournaments growing up. She has always loved soccer, and enjoys seeing her 5 kids (ages 10 down to 2) gain a love of soccer as well! She and her husband have coached many years of their kids soccer, and even scrimmaged against each other when they were young!

    Coach Shanie grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. She loves doing anything active including hiking, biking, triathlons, and still holds the pole vault record at Walla Walla high school after 16 years!

    She loves coaching kids and seeing their learning and growth from beginning to end of the season. She loves the great support system and community feel of the Soccer Skills Academy, and is looking forward to many fun soccer seasons ahead!


  • Coach Ksenija moved to the states when she was 5 years old. Since then, she has resided in the Tri-Cities and the surrounding areas. Her husband and herself think it’s the perfect place to raise their children, Sofija, Ripp & Maja.

    Coach Ksenija started playing soccer for T-CYSA, moved on to play competitively for Three Rivers and ended up playing for Southridge High School. She began coaching soccer before she could even operate a motor vehicle. Her mom would drive her to the TRAC so she could assist with the Center of Excellence program. Throughout high school, she coached for the City of Kennewick.

    Coach Ksenija loves sharing her passion for the sport with the next generation and now that she has 3 wild kids of my own, it has brought a whole new meaning to the sport. She is so excited to start coaching for Soccer Skills Academy! She is looking forward to creating an uplifting environment while helping kids learn fundamental skills both on and off of the field!

  • Coach Catherine grew up in Pasco. She started playing rec soccer when she was about 9 or 10, and then moved onto premier. She played for one of the inaugural Three Rivers SC teams, and also played for Pasco High School and Walla Walla Community College.

    She, her husband and their 2 1/2 year old son recently moved back to Pasco from Monroe, WA. They lived in that area for a little over 10 years. While there, she spent a lot of time hiking, driving around the mountains and taking pictures. Nature photography, she says, is her favorite hobby. Their family also includes two cats, Selina Kyle and Oliver, and a dog named Sophie.

    For the last 8 years, Catherine has worked as a hairstylist. She is currently taking a break from that as she has become her dad’s primary caregiver while he battles Parkinsons.

    She’s been away from the game and fields for about a decade and has deeply missed it. Coach Catherine is looking forward to coaching and watching kids fall in love with such an amazing game!

  • “Cat, thank you for your patience and creativity to explain things to our son. He loved all the encouragement he received from you. You’re an amazing coach and the kids love you for it! “

    -Saida

    “Coach Cat is super patient with all on her team. My son is 3, this is his first year playing! So his attention span isn’t very good. She is great with the kiddos, helps them to get back on track and have a great time learning soccer skills. Grateful my son on her team! Keep up the great work with kiddos! “

    -Megan C

    “Cat, thank you for making our Tuesday nights fun, exciting, and challenging! I watch you coach my three-year-old with patience, humor, and encouragement. Then I watch you coach my eight-year-old with joy and humor, while also teaching discipline, skills, and good sportsmanship. Lizzie’s first soccer experience has been so positive. Abi has grown in confidence, strategy, and skill, and it has been fun to see you meet her where she is and stretch her beyond what she thinks she can do. Thank you for your time and dedication!”

    -Daid and Rebekah Picker

    “Thank you Cat! Thank you for your patience and skills. Cruz has loved his first season of soccer. We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to the lightning cheetahs. “

    -Rachelle Barron

    “Cat - My child loved showing up to play we are going on a bear hunt. I did that with my 1st grade class but never thought she would love that. She now does her own course at home and has little brother tag along. Thank you for showing up to match all the young ones energy and leaving a positive atmosphere for them. “

    -Kinleigh’s Mom

    “My son greatly enjoyed learning under Coach Cat this fall. I know there were times when the team had more energy or their focus was elsewhere, but she did a good job of handling those times. I appreciate Coach Cat's introducing new skills and concepts to the team. I enjoyed watching my son apply what he was learning in practice and the games. Thank you Coach Cat for getting him ready for the next level. “

    -Kelli Turner

  • Coach Daniel is a dedicated strength coach who works with athletes across various sports, ensuring they stay strong and healthy for peak performance. With a doctorate in Physical Therapy, his expertise in sports medicine enhances his coaching approach.

    Originally from Las Vegas, Daniel's passion for athletics began with track and expanded to include a variety of sports. Three years ago, he relocated to Tri-Cities with his family, coinciding with his children joining SSA. Coaching his son's team alongside his wife, who is also involved with SSA, has become a beloved family activity.

    Daniel finds immense joy in coaching, particularly in witnessing young athletes learn and develop. He believes in pushing athletes beyond their perceived limits, fostering growth and resilience on and off the field. His admiration for SSA stems from their emphasis on athlete development over mere game outcomes.

    Prior to coaching, Daniel served in the Marines for a decade, where he also instructed a youth leadership program. Beyond coaching and work, he indulges his culinary skills by cooking, grilling, and mastering taco recipes. He also enjoys creating challenging obstacle courses and running alongside his children, nurturing their love for physical activity and adventure.

  • Coach Kylie has been playing soccer for 8 years now. For 5 years, she played on different teams in California, and then moved to Tri Cities and played for TCYSA, Three Rivers Indoor, and now as a Sophomore at Kamiakin High School. She lives with her 4 siblings, and her parents.

    She loves coaching because she gets to help kids learn new skills, and she loves being around kids because of how funny they are. When she is not coaching, she’s running track at Kamiakin, or playing soccer. Coach Kylie enjoys coaching for Soccer Skills Academy because of the amazing staff and the willingness they all have to help these kids get better at soccer!

  • “Kylie - thank you for your time and energy coaching our kids! Luke had a great time!”

    -Lisa Edler

    “Coach Kylie has been such an incredible coach. She has such a great energy for the kids and has taught jackson and the team so many useful skills. “

    -Leanne Purcell

  • Coach Morgan has a beautiful wife, Maria, and six amazing kids. They have two dogs and twelve chickens. Since 2012, they’ve made their home in the Tri-Cities.

    Coach Morgan grew up in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where he played competitive soccer from the age of eight. By eleven, he was the youngest soccer referee in the state. Over the years, he has played on various coed and men's league teams. His passion for sports and outdoor activities runs deep.

    After a hiatus from soccer, his interest has been reignited by his oldest daughter's budding enthusiasm for the sport. 

    In his early twenties, coach Morgan coached or assisted with U7-U10 soccer teams for four years. For the past three years, he has also been involved in coaching his son's flag football team. He loves coaching and is passionate about instilling a love for sports and competition in young athletes. Coach Morgan’s philosophy is that if you love what you're doing, you'll give it your all without a second thought. His goal is to teach the kids everything he knows while ensuring they have fun and fall in love with the game of soccer.


  • Coach Alyssa is a 24 year old mom of a sweet crazy girl name Amalia. Amalia just turned 2 in late January. She has been obsessed with kicking the ball around ever since she could walk and that’s how they knew they would be a soccer family forever. Coach Alyssa is from the Tri-Cities, but spent a lot of time traveling around with her family for her dad’s job. She played soccer in high school, up until she was unfortunately injured. She has had a strong passion for soccer for many years, and being given the opportunity to coach is such an amazing feeling for her.

    Coach Alyssa thinks that kids are so amazing! She believes that teaching them, and shaping their little minds is such a blessing. She says that having her own has been the best part of her life.

    Coach Alyssa is very excited to start coaching with Soccer Skills Academy! She is most excited about being part of a program that wants to see children strive, not only with their soccer skills, but with team building and communication skills.

    A fun fact about Coach Alyssa is that she loves reading, and last year alone she read 217 books!

  • Coach Amber grew up in Kennewick attending Park Middle School and Kennewick High School. Though she has lived in places such as Western, WA and Los Angeles, she always finds her way back to the Tri-Cities. She is married to her husband who she has known since 7th grade; and they’ve been married for 10 years. She has a bonus son who is 26 and a bonus daughter who is 24. In her free time, Coach Amber and her family do a lot of hiking/camping. They have hiked in many states and plan on hiking somewhere, in all 50 states.

    Coach Amber played soccer for over 20 years. She played in school and then in women’s and co-ed soccer leagues. She has been coaching soccer since 2018 with the Upward Soccer League program. Coach Amber loves teaching kids the fundamentals of soccer, sharing her passion for the game, and teaching the kids to play with kindness, grace and humility. She plans on coaching until she physically can no longer do it. She loves coaching because it gives her purpose and a way to give back to her community.

  • “Thanks Coach Amber! Tommy’s been having a lot of fun this season and we appreciate all your efforts and determination!”

    -Karyn Mendel

    “Coach Amber, Thank you so much for your patience and guidance with Sam this soccer season. He felt confident going to soccer knowing that if he was going to have big feelings you would help him, which made the season go much smoother. He learned a lot this season and is looking forward to continuing soccer in the future. He has gained a lot of confidence throughout this season as he is learning more about himself and his diagnosis. Thank you so much for partnering with us thru that!! We appreciate you so much!!!”

    - Sam and the Gatewood Family

    “Amber, who stepped in as the head coach late in the season for the Leslie grove U7 Tigers was PHENOMENAL! Her energy and enthusiasm was contagious and she did great at keeping the kids focused and motivated. When there were practices without equipment or games with no head coach, she was dedicated to making sure the kids still had a successful practice or game. So thankful for her!”

    -Michelle Jones

  • Chris is originally from Ogden, Utah. He and his wife Daisy have been married almost 11 years and have 4 kids. Derek is 7, Jared is 5, Colin is 3 and Roslyn is 18 months.

    His favorite sport has always been soccer and he is a huge fan of Real. Salt Lake (the professional team in Utah) and the US national team. He has been playing soccer since he was 5 years old and played 7 years with a competitive Rec team and three years for his high school team.

    He is a physical therapist for the Kennewick School District working with students with special needs and helping them with their fine and gross motor skills. One of the reasons he was interested in physical therapy was that he was born with a club foot, which is a genetic birth defect that runs in his family. Through therapy and staying active he enjoys helping people feel better and can relate to their chronic pain.

    He loves to stay active and especially loves hiking and climbing mountains. He has coached for his kids soccer teams for 2 1/2 years now and looks forward to continuing to coach and share his love of soccer with his teams.

  • “Chris,

    Thank you for taking on the challenge of coaching so many energetic, spunky, and interesting boys this year! You are so good at reading the team, knowing their limits, and pushing them to exactly what is best for them that day. The soccer skills Josh has learned have been great, and it has been such a blessing for him to have a coach that sees him, challenges him, and has positive expectations of him. Thank you for your time and dedication!”

    -David and Rebekah Picker

    “Chris: You were a wonderful coach to Samuel. He had such a fun time and learned a lot during this soccer season. Your creativity and ability to always keep the kids engaged was so fun and amazing to watch every week. Samuel really enjoyed your skills you shared with him, as well as your always positivity attitude! Thanks for a great season!”

    -Stephanie and Samuel

  • Coach Ronald was born and raised in San Jose Costa Rica where he has lived for most of his life. He has been playing soccer since he could walk.

    His experience playing soccer growing up allowed him to represent the Costa Rican U17 national team. He earned the opportunity to come to the United States to play D1 soccer at Cal Poly on a soccer scholarship. He stayed in California for four years then moved back to Costa Rica to play one season of professional soccer before retiring to pursue his career. He then moved to Tennessee to go to law school and lived in Tennessee for around seven years. He recently moved to Washington to practice Immigration law for a non for profit organization.

    Coach Ronald loves teaching kids the game of soccer in the most fundamental and fun way as possible. He thinks soccer is a game that is meant to be played with joy and kids should know that at the end of the day the game of soccer is fun. Coach Ronald is excited for the amazing opportunity and experience to be able to work and teach kids the fundamentals of soccer.

    A fun fact about Coach Ronald is that he does competitive powerlifting in his free time!

  • “Dear Ronald, thanks so much for the patience and energy you show in practice and during the game. My kid is funny and crazy at times and you handle the situation like a pro. I appreciate you for providing a positive experience to the team. Keep up the good work! Blessings.”

    -Susana

    “Coach Ron,

    Thanks so much for helping Hannah and her teammates learn new soccer skills. The kids were always laughing and having a great time during practice.....Hannah says you have a great sense of humor! We appreciate the time you put in to pass along your soccer knowledge to our kids!”

    -The Krautscheid family

    “Coach Ron, thank you so much for making Lillie’s first soccer team experience an amazing one. She learned a lot about teamwork and the basics of soccer always with a smile on her face. We really appreciate everything you did as her coach this season. “

    -The Gatewood Family

    “Coach Ron,

    Thank you so much for all you did for the Lady Cheetahs this season. You were so patient with those girls while teaching them so much. We've seen Elliott grow in her abilities and in her confidence so much this season. She has turned into a goal scoring machine. We hope that you continue to coach these littles because you have such a kind and caring heart for them. We can see it on and off the field. We truly appreciate all you've done this season.

    Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”

    -Amy and Kyle Stewart

    “Coach Ron, thank you so much for your fun and positive attitude this season. Our girls have learned so much from you and we already looked forward to going to soccer practice every Thursday. Winnie says she likes Coach Ron because he’s the best and says sit on your butt! Lauriel likes Coach Ron because he’s funny! Can’t wait for next season. “

    -Shewell Family

  • Coach Brandon was born and raised in Michigan. He has a son, a daughter and a dog named Shadow. He is a lifelong sports fan, a former hockey player and is a home renovation enthusiast!

    He coached soccer for 3 years at the YMCA indoor and outdoor programs. Coach Brandon loves seeing kids learn and respond to challenges, both identified by themselves and others.

  • “Coach Brandon, thank you for creating a space where Ayaan feels motivated and valued. Because he has a stutter, he is quiet, but he ENJOYED every practice and game. He will be back to your team in Spring!”

    -Ako Khan

  • Coach Cora is a Soccer Skills Academy staff coach and has coached hundreds of kids between ages 3-13 during her 6 seasons with us.

    She will be a sophomore at Kamiakin High School and has participated in youth sports since she could walk, including soccer, basketball, softball, dance, and cheer.

    Cora is a gifted leader and has a knack for creating her own super-fun and imaginative drills. We love how she balances her competitive and strategic side with teaching our core values for all ages! She is passionate about equipping middle schoolers with the skills they need to enjoy soccer and compete at whatever level they choose.

  • “Coach Cora, you were absolutely amazing with all the kids! Thanks for being such a positive adult for the kids and especially, Max. Being on your team allowed him to grow and build confidence. Thanks for your hard work and dedication! “

    -Max Xayvong

  • Coach Raul was born and raised in Othello, WA and has remained close to the Columbia Basin his entire life. He lives in the Tri-Cities where he and his wife raise their two beautiful daughters. He has been playing soccer since he was a teenager, having played in high school and in college through intramural leagues throughout the school years. He continues to play to this day in various adult leagues within the Tri-Cities, participating in Co-Ed leagues and mens divisions. For Raul, soccer has always been a part of his life, even if now it’s just playing for fun and having a good time.

    Raul loves staying active through hiking, kayaking, running, and playing all kinds of sports! He thinks soccer is an excellent sport to play at any age or skill level, he believes playing soccer at a young age can help kids develop a lifelong interest in sports and encourages an active lifestyle. Raul began coaching his daughters U4 soccer team in 2023, and has loved every minute of it since. He enjoys the practices with the kids as they do drills; seeing them get better each week while having fun playing soccer makes for a really rewarding experience.

    Raul is a Biomedical Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where he gets to travel and share knowledge about chemistry and biology to audiences all around the world. His favorite part about his job is learning each and everyday something new about the world of science. He enjoys connecting with HS and college students to talk about careers and opportunities in STEM, and of course promoting a positive and encouraging environment for students to explore their passions in any field, especially when its young kids playing on the soccer field!

  • Iratxe Smith, known as Coach Roxy, is a devoted mother to a beautiful 4-year-old and hails from Chicago. She has been playing soccer since the age of 5, learning from her mother, Coach Melanie. Roxy continued her soccer journey through high school and later joined a women's recreational league in Palm Beach. Her passion for both children and the sport shines through in her coaching.

    Roxy deeply values the mission of Soccer Skills Academy, understanding that this age is crucial for developing good habits and learning important traits. Her coaching reflects her maternal instincts, as she aims to teach her players not only the technical aspects of soccer but also the importance of having fun, feeling comfortable with trying and making mistakes, and building strong teammate relationships. She believes that good teamwork is the key to winning, rather than having the best individual players.

  • Coach Melanie has played soccer ever since she was a child. She grew up in Spain where it was a “must” to play soccer and it was played on the streets. She now lives in the Tri-Cities with her wonderful husband and younger son Xavier (named after the Barca Spanish soccer coach). She is a pediatrician and the proud mother of three, now ages 25, 20 and 10. She loves to promote healthy activities for children and soccer is her favorite one.

    Coach Melanie is looking forward to creating a recreational and positive environment for children to grow and succeed. She has coached divisions U5-U15 for 10 years at Say of Chicago soccer club. She loves that Soccer Skills Academy works around the player and for the player!

  • Although college took Ryan to Arizona, his heart remained in the Northwest, which he always considered his true home. After graduating, he returned to settle in the vibrant Seattle-metro area, launching his career there. In 2007, a desire to be closer to family brought Coach Ryan to the Tri-Cities. It was there that he encountered the love of his life, Mary, whom he married and together they have three sons and one daughter.

    Coach Ryan's passion for sports began in Ellensburg, where he embraced every athletic opportunity from the moment he learned to walk. Soccer, baseball, football, wrestling, gymnastics, basketball – you name it, Coach Ryan played it. Not just limiting himself to organized sports, he also relished recreational pursuits like paintball, snowboarding, and photography.

    When it comes to coaching, Coach Ryan finds immense joy in teaching the fundamentals of soccer while ensuring that the lessons are engaging and enjoyable for the kids. Having been fortunate to have had outstanding coaches during his own formative years, he sees coaching as an opportunity to pay it forward and share his passion for one of his favorite sports.

  • “This season has been absolutely fantastic thanks to coach Ryan! Much like teachers at school, coaches make such an impact on our children. They teach team building, hard work pays off, and to push yourself to be something even better. They accept our children for all their quirks and at the end of the season, I know my son will walk away with so much more than just soccer experience. Thank you to all coaches and assistants! You guys are truly doing a labor of love and giving back to the community by nurturing these kids in more ways than just sports. These experiences stick with kids for a life time. “

    -Holly, Jonah’s mom

    “Coach Bird has been such a fun, kind, and patient coach for Violet and Kayde! Thanks for your help working on their soccer skills!”

    -Laura and Ashley

    “Thank you coach Bird! This was Nolan’s first time on a soccer team and you made it fun and encouraging. Nolan now loves soccer and he can’t wait to play game.”

    -Allison & Chris Breitkreitz

  • Aaron recently moved to the Tri Cities in 2021 from Knoxville Tennessee and grew up in South Carolina.

    He and his wife Bridgette have been married for over 10 years and have a 9 year old and a 5 year old.  They are trying to take advantage of their move to WA by getting out and enjoying the mountains as often as possible. Aaron grew up playing soccer throughout elementary, middle and high school on various school and club teams.

    His favorite thing about coaching is learning how to work with all the unique personalities and watching them change over the season!

  • Coach Bryan grew up in Selah WA. He currently lives in Richland with his wife, 2 kids and 4 dogs. Coach Bryan has played a variety of sports including wrestling, soccer, baseball, and football.

    This is his second season coaching with Soccer Skills Academy, he enjoys watching kids learn and grow with their skills throughout the season.

    In his free time you can find him spending time with his family, dogs or fishing.

  • Coach Rick grew up all over the US, moving around with his parents. He was born in Everett, WA and did most of grade school in Basin City, WA. Currently, he lives in the Tri Cities and has two kids, Audrey who is nearly 7, and his son Rick the 3rd who is almost 4.

    Coach Rick has been playing sports his entire life. He played soccer in grade school, which was club-based, he then played in college, and he played some in the service when he was on Active Duty. He also played football and baseball when he was younger.

    Coach Rick has always loved leading people to success. Sports were always something he wanted to become a leader in. He has always like how much kids can learn from their coaches, and wants to be that leader and inspiration for them as they grow into the athletes they want to be.

    Coaching is something that Coach Rick has wanted to do for a very long time, and he is excited to be the best coach he can be for his team.

  • Coach Trae grew up in Iowa, and moved to San Diego for school. He now lives in the Tri-Cities and has an incredible 3 1/2 year old son named Elijah.

    A fun fact about Coach Trae, he loves shoes! Collecting, re-selling and re-storing retro and vintage sneakers is a huge passion of his. He also loves the beach. Living in San Diego made him realize the beach is his happy place. He serves at a restaurant and his favorite customers are families. He’s loves putting a smile on their faces and seeing them leave happy.

    Trae played sports growing up and loves to be outside. Though Coach Trae has never played soccer, or been with a soccer program, he loves working with kids and is really good at it! He has younger sisters so he is used to being a role model for them. Coach Trae is joining Soccer Skills Academy because he wants to get involved with the community, especially kids in the community!

  • “Coach Trae has been very encouraging and Evelyn loves it when he gives her high fives! He’s great with the kids and making sure they have fun. “

    -Evelyn’s Mom

    “Coach Trae - he coached both of our boys, one that was 3, and one that was 5. Great coach - kids absolutely loved him! Very fun and good demeanor with the kids. Saw tremendous growth with the kids!”

    -Nicole Shtayyeh

  • I spent the first 25 years of life living along the shores of Lake Michigan. I then spent 8 years

    living in Montana, where I met my beautiful wife, and sired my two wonderful children. Then,

    four years ago, we moved to Richland to be closer to family and so that our children could grow

    up with their cousins.

    I played AYSO soccer in southwest Michigan from the age of 5 to the age of 8—when I was old

    enough to play contact football. I played football and baseball, dabbled at golf, and wrestled

    through high school. I have been playing men’s league hockey since the age of 18.

    I love the idea of introducing kids to physical activity, teamwork, and being outside. There are

    few things more rewarding than seeing a child progress from barely making it onto the field the

    first week of practice to asking to play next session after the final practice.

    I spent two seasons coaching another local organization before I was introduced to the team at

    SSA. Three seasons later, and I am still here!

    I am currently finishing my Master’s in Nursing Degree this fall, so time is at a premium. I will do

    my very best to communicate promptly via text or the GameChanger app.

  • “Coach Trae has been very encouraging and Evelyn loves it when he gives her high fives! He’s great with the kids and making sure they have fun. “

    -Evelyn’s Mom

    “Coach Trae - he coached both of our boys, one that was 3, and one that was 5. Great coach - kids absolutely loved him! Very fun and good demeanor with the kids. Saw tremendous growth with the kids!”

    -Nicole Shtayyeh