I am originally from Sugar Land, Texas, where I played college soccer at the University of Houston-Victoria before earning a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston-Downtown.

Discovering a passion for the sport, I joined Chicago City Soccer Club in 2023, where I found the passion to be a coach.  I enjoy coaching young girls, inspiring them to excel, foster a love for the game, and create a safe, encouraging environment.

Outside of soccer, I enjoy the company of my two dogs, Milo and Koda.  

PEER REVIEW!

Works hard for the club, is consistent, energetic, and always helpful.

Reliable, loyal, and trustworthy.

Strong communication skills & is always looking out for the clubs best interests.

A strong willingness to learn.

I was born and raised in a small town in New Jersey, just a few miles outside of New Brunswick, home of Rutgers University. I began playing soccer at a young age but began to fall in love with the game once I attended my first professional New Jersey MetroStars soccer match with my recreational team. 

As my passion for the sport continued to grow I carried on playing travel and academy soccer for multiple New Jersey clubs with my last stop before college being NJSA 04, Tab Ramos’s club. Playing at a top level club and High School allowed me the opportunity to be recruited and play D3 soccer at Kean University. In 2020 I graduated with a degree in Business Management. During my time in college, I was also able to go oversees and try to pursue a professional dream with a trial at a Serie D Club outside of Turin, Italy

I hold a USSF D License now, but I began coaching while in college at a grassroots level. I progressed to working with players of all levels from recreational/town teams to elite academy clubs in NJ/NY. My last stop was with the New Jersey Olympic Development (ODP) Program for two years before finally coming to Chicago City in 2023. 

I am excited to continue my coaching journey with Chicago City and thrilled to be part of such a great organization.

My favorite club is Chelsea FC, but also a huge New York Jets fan. My favorite food has to be pizza and although nothing beats a NY style slice of pizza, Chicago is a close second. 

I was born in Mexico City, but my family moved to Chicago when I was just 2 years old. Since then, I’ve developed a deep love for this city.

Growing up watching the Mexican national team, I always knew I wanted to play football. As my playing days came to an end, I found a natural connection to coaching and started coaching a small team back in 2018.

While attending Northern Illinois University, where I recently graduated with a bachelor’s in Sport Management, coaching took a bit of a back seat. However, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue long-term. During the summer of 2023, I interned with Chicago City as part of their game day operations team for the USLW/USL2 teams. I quickly realized that our values and love for the city were aligned. Now, after over a year of being involved with the club, I’m thrilled to begin my coaching journey with CITY!

PEER REVIEW

Reliable, dedicated, and hardworking, consistently stepping up to meet challenges with energy and accountability.

Demonstrates continuous growth in confidence and development, driven by a strong commitment to personal and professional excellence.

Brings a positive, infectious attitude that energizes those around him and strengthens team morale.

Versatile and adaptable, willingly taking on multiple roles as needed to support the team.

A true team player who is always looking for ways to help others and contribute to collective success.

I'm originally from Bolivia, I grew up in La Paz where I played soccer since I was 5. I played soccer in the Academy team in high School, and I was part of U18 of a ProTeam called Mariscal Braun.  

I was a solid player but not quite exceptional enough to pursue a professional career, which is why I chose to focus on my education. I earned a scholarship to Universidad Privada Boliviana, where I studied electromechanical engineering.

During my time there, I played for the college until I completed my degree. In 2010, I moved to Switzerland to study and live with my wife, my first worry when I arrived there was to play soccer right away fortunately, I found a club and I started to play in different levels from 5th division to 3rd division for 8 years.

My first experience as a coach was in 2017 when I was playing for Lausanne Nord Academy and the club told me if I was interested in coaching a U10 team. The season was not really good, but I liked the experience and I continued to coach in the club until 2020. In this time, I started my formation and obtained my UEFA C license.

I began my journey with Chicago City Soccer Club in September 2020 after relocating to Chicago for my wife’s job. I reached out to Nick to continue my coaching career.

From my initial contact with the club and my first training session, I felt an immediate sense of belonging, as we shared the same vision for the game, making it easy to connect with my fellow coaches. I am grateful for the trust the club has placed in me, and I am committed to helping the next generation of soccer players reach their full potential both on and off the field. In all this years with City I continued my education, working right now to get my USSF B License.

My interest out of soccer are Video games and food. I’m a gamer and a big collector of SNES and N64 games, also I like the food, I’m always trying new recipes and trying all the different food that our beautiful city offers. 

PEER REVIEW

Highly supportive and dependable, always willing to assist players and colleagues while providing valuable insight drawn from past experiences.

Committed, hardworking, and conscientious, approaching every responsibility with consistency, positivity, and professionalism.

Passionate and growth-minded, continuously seeking to improve and raise personal and team standards each day.

Brings strong, positive energy that elevates the environment and motivates those around him.

Adaptable, organized, and competitive, always striving to give his best and contribute to collective success.

Born and raised in Halle, Germany, I've been passionate about football from a young age. My love for the game was shaped early on by my family - my older brother and my parents, especially my dad - as well as my youth coach, from whom I learned the most about the game.

I played my entire youth career at SV Dautzsch 63, breaking into the senior squad at just 16. After two years with the senior team, I earned the opportunity to pursue a soccer scholarship in the United States. Following one semester at Lincoln College in Illinois, I transferred to Roosevelt University in Chicago, where I played four years of college soccer at the NCAA Division II level.

In 2025, I graduated from Roosevelt University with a bachelor's degree in Management and Marketing, and I began pursuing my MBA in Finance that same year. I'm now excited to begin my journey with Chicago City SC as Club Administrator, where I'm confident I can be a valuable asset to the operations room and help drive the club forward.

On a personal note, I recently moved into an apartment in the Loop with two German friends. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, trying new food, spending time with my girlfriend, and exploring the city.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, I’ve been passionate about football from a young age. I started playing for Ashbourne United F.C., where my dad, a major influence in my life, coached me. I later played with St. Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda United in the League of Ireland Academy.

I studied at Coláiste Íde in Dublin, which helped me earn a scholarship to the U.S. At 18, I moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to play soccer at Davenport University, where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 2023. I’m currently pursuing my MBA at Roosevelt University, an NCAA Division II institution, where I have the privilege of serving as the Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach.

My coaching journey began at 16 in Ireland and continued with Michigan Rangers F.C. in Grand Rapids, where I coached for five years. I hold a USSF D license and am committed to ongoing learning and growth in coaching. As my dad always says, "the day you stop learning is the day you stop living."

On a personal note, my girlfriend Emma from Grand Rapids, MI, and I recently moved to Lakeview East in Chicago. I enjoy spending time at a lake in the summer, watching Notre Dame college football, and drinking coffee, Barry’s tea, along with any Irish snacks I can find.

PEER REVIEW

- very knowledgeable with great insights into the game.

- positive & optimistic on a daily basis.

- easy to talk with & open to learning each conversation.

- a curiosity to understand everything with a real ambition to be better every day.

- great preparation & always willing to support others.

PEER REVIEW

A high-performing, authentic leader who approaches her work with courage and integrity.

Drives the girls’ program forward with clear purpose and serves as an inspiring role model.

Deeply committed to continuous self-improvement and learning to create the best possible environment for others.

I was born in Spain, where football is lived with intensity, but my true connection to this sport has a more intimate origin: it was my grandfather who transmitted this passion to me, igniting a calling that has defined every step of my life.

That family legacy drove me to pursue professional excellence. I obtained the UEFA PRO license, the highest European certification, and complemented my on-field vision with solid academic training through the LaLiga MBA and specialized master's degrees in Big Data and High Performance.

My professional journey has led me to immerse myself in the elite of world football. I worked from within historic Spanish clubs such as Levante UD and FC Cartagena, and expanded my perspective by strategically analyzing the major European leagues (Premier League, Serie A, and Ligue 1). That comprehensive experience, which combines locker room tactics with data analysis at the highest level of competition, led me to work as Technical Director at Celta Academy in the USA, seeking to inspire and develop talent.

I was born in Novi Sad, Serbia (at that time the country was called Yugoslavia). Growing up, I adored football (soccer) and when I was 7 years old I joined FC Novi Sad (2nd division club), which was always one of the top youth programs in the country. During my time there, through the high level of expectation I realized quickly I would have to work hard, no shortcuts, which taught me the value of doing things the right way.

I passed all of the levels in the youth program at FC Novi Sad and every year I was a part of the regional team and when I was 17 years old I joined the 1st team and signed my first professional contract. I was part of the 1st team for the next 6 years and then made one appearance for the National U-21 team of Yugoslavia. It was a dream come true and I was on the right path in my career.

I developed minor back problems, and over the years the pain worsened. Doctors eventually gave me a tough choice: stop playing or risk ending up in a wheelchair. Determined to improve, I worked with a physical therapist, followed a strict workout regime, and managed to play for two more years.

In 2003 my wife and I received the opportunity to come to Chicago so she could start her PhD studies. This led to me starting to coach my daughter's preschool team, just for kids to learn the game and have fun.

I began my club coaching career with Chicago Premier SC who were based in the city but in 2016 the club announced that had to fold. I was approached by multiple clubs and when I was introduced to our Founder Nick, I knew CITY would be the place for me. I found like-minded people who cared about player development and I knew that the club had huge potential. I found my new soccer home where everyone is like a family.

Throughout my playing/coaching journey, three things never changed: hard work, having fun, and doing things the right way are always part of my passion for soccer. 

PEER REVIEW

A selfless, club-first team player who is positive, reliable, and deeply committed—consistently putting the needs of the club, staff, players, and families first.

A warm, kind, and mature presence who offers constant support, brings calm perspective, and elevates the environment with a great sense of humor.

A trusted leader and role model—often seen as the “father figure” of the group—who looks out for others and leads by example.

A dedicated and hardworking coach who invests fully in player development and has successfully passed his B License, demonstrating a strong commitment to professional growth and excellence.

PEER REVIEW

A true CITY legend and trusted mentor, widely respected for his passion, wisdom, and deep understanding of the game.

A highly knowledgeable soccer expert who knows the game inside and out, consistently upholding the highest standards.

Wise, caring, and genuine - always willing to step in, support others, and share invaluable insight drawn from years of experience.

A lasting presence whose impact is felt both on and off the field, setting the standard for excellence and leadership.

My passion for soccer grew as a young kid in CT. I was influenced by my dad's love for the game which was passed down to me. To this day my dad and I still share this connection through the game. He still tells me on the phone about what his over 70s team is doing wrong.

I played youth soccer in CT in a local academy and from an early age my dad would bring me to play men's leagues where I was able to understand the game on a deeper level.

At the age of 18 yrs old I tore my ACL which taught me many lessons that I took on to play collegiate soccer at Springfield College, Lycoming College, and Western Connecticut University.

After College I spent pre season with multiple USL clubs before playing in a showcase in Denmark where I was signed by a club in the Faroe Islands and played full time. I would be able to gain playing experience in Faroe Islands, Poland, and Spain before playing one more professional season in Canada.

Simultaneously I continued my education of the game via video analysis starting at the time of my ACL injury. This pursuit led me to create my own brand (Modern Football Analyst), write two books, work with the likes of Nuri Sahin, Orlando Pirates, and Arsenal F.C. who I currently work for today.

I am looking forward to continuing my work with CITY as we look to truly elevate our players and staff.

I’m originally from Battle Creek, Michigan, and played college soccer at Davenport University while earning my BBA in Sport Management.

I began coaching during my junior year of college and quickly fell in love with the beautiful game all over again—this time through the lens of mentorship. I especially enjoy working with young girls, inspiring the next generation to break through barriers, build community, find joy through movement, and embrace challenges. I strive to use soccer not only to develop technical skills, but also to teach valuable life lessons along the way.

Tom has more than 25 years of coaching experience working with Division 1 collegiate athletes to club and high school players. His coaching influences stem from working with many greatly respected goalkeeping coaches from around the United States and Europe.

Tom has 14 years of Men's and Women's Collegiate Coaching at Loyola University Chicago (DI, Conference Championship), Illinois Institute of Technology (DIII, Conference Championship, NCAA Sweet 16), Roosevelt University (NAIA, Conference Championship), and Concordia Chicago (DIII). USL League 2 and W League coach. Olympic Development Program (Illinois, North Texas). 20 years in youth club soccer.

As a player Tom played for Carolina Dynamo of USL, PSL Regular Season Championship. while playing collegiately at Salisbury University - 3 Conference Championships, 2 NCAA Tournament appearances, First-Team All-Conference.

Tom holds his USC - Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma USSF National C License.

Orin Gilchrist is a youth sports leader who believes the best programs put kids first. With a background in sport management, coaching, and program operations, Orin has spent his career building and leading programs that create positive, welcoming environments where young athletes can learn, compete, and have fun.Orin currently serves as the Director of Haas Park Soccer, where he leads the development and growth of the program and works closely with coaches, families, and the local community. Before joining Haas Park, he held leadership and operations roles with Chicago City Soccer Club, including serving as USL Operations Director and Program Director of Mini City. He has also coached at the youth, semi pro, and high school levels, giving him experience across nearly every side of the Chicago soccer industry.

Joshua Pichardo is a Director and U13 DPL Academy Head Coach with Chicago City Soccer Club, where he focuses on girls’ player development, community engagement, and creating pathways from grassroots soccer into the competitive club environment.

His coaching philosophy emphasizes technical quality, tactical understanding, decision-making, and confidence on the ball. Joshua creates competitive, game realistic environments that challenge players to think, solve problems, and take ownership of their development.

In addition to his work with Chicago City, Joshua coaches across both the boys and girls soccer programs at Chicago Hope Academy. His experience also includes individual player development, video analysis, and supporting players through the college recruitment process.

Throughout his work in Chicago, Joshua has focused on identifying talent, expanding access to high-level development, and building stronger connections between community soccer and the competitive game. He believes coaching goes beyond developing players on the field it is about building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping each player find a pathway to reach their potential.

Jamie Gordon is a Licensed and Certified Athletic Trainer with a B.S. in Athletic Training from North Park University. With experience across collegiate athletics, youth soccer, and clinical healthcare, Jamie is passionate about helping athletes stay healthy, recover from injury, and perform at their best. As Director of Player Care with Chicago City Soccer Club, Jamie oversees injury prevention, rehabilitation, return-to-play protocols, emergency planning, and athlete wellness.

A former collegiate soccer player, Jamie brings firsthand experience as an athlete to their approach to sports medicine and understands the physical and mental demands of competition. Jamie has also volunteered with USA Gymnastics, further expanding their experience supporting athletes across different sports and levels of competition.

Jamie is committed to creating a supportive, athlete-centered environment that prioritizes health, safety, and long-term success.

I was born and raised in Meridian, Idaho and started playing soccer when I was 4 years old. I played soccer, softball, and basketball throughout my youth sport experience. I earned my undergraduate degree from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology. During my time at Pacific, I competed in varsity soccer (four years) as well as varsity softball (two years). I continued to pursue my education, earning a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Sport Studies (Sport and Exercise Psychology) from Springfield College and a Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology and Sport Studies (Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 

I am currently an Associate Professor and Training Coordinator in the Sport and Human Performance program at Adler University in Chicago, IL, USA. In addition to teaching courses in sport psychology and research, I also oversee all students’ applied training experiences. 

I have had the distinct pleasure of collaborating with Chicago City since 2018 when I moved to Chicago. The club provides their athletes with several opportunities, including working with our students to develop mental skills (e.g., self-awareness, self-confidence, focus) that will help them on the pitch, and in everyday life.

I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I grew up as a competitive gymnast for USA Gymnastics for 10 years and competed in pole vault and gymnastics for my high school. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from Michigan State University, where I was team manager of the MSU Gymnastics team. I currently attend Adler University, where I am earning a dual master’s degree in Sport and Human Performance and Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Throughout my athletic experience, I saw the need for sport psychology in athletics. My passion for this field ignited when I saw a sport psychologist during high school. Once I saw the simultaneous improvement of both performance and emotional wellbeing as a result of this process, I knew my dream was to help others in the same way.

I am so excited for the opportunity to provide mental skills training for Chicago City Soccer Club!

I grew up in Traverse City, Michigan where I found my love for sports. Following my older
brother’s footsteps, I participated in soccer, cross country, track and field, and basketball
throughout my childhood.

As I got older, I developed a passion for both basketball and track, but basketball ultimately took top priority and led me to Hope College in Holland, Michigan. I played competitively for one year and spent three years as a student-assistant coach.

Throughout my basketball career I experienced wonderful coaches, but also not-so-great coaches. During this time, I learned what characteristics I wanted to adopt and avoid as a certified mental performance consultant, along with how I can best serve others. Specifically, my college coach taught me how to value interpersonal relationships, hard work, and success. It was here that I learned important lessons, increased my passion for helping others, and was able to walk away with a National Champion title.

Currently, I am a second-year graduate student at Adler University working to earn a master’s degree in Sport and Human Performance. Through this internship, I aim to help athletes increase their mental skills and performance, while approaching each individual with a holistic perspective.

I am extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity to work with Chicago City
Soccer Club!

I grew up in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, where I fell in love with various sports. I
participated in softball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse throughout my childhood. As I got older, I continued playing basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse throughout high school. I am a first-generation college graduate. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology at Auburn University. While I did not plan to play any sports in college, I joined the women’s club lacrosse team because I missed being involved in athletics.
Currently, I attend Adler University, where I am earning a master’s degree in Sport and
Human Performance. As part of my program, I have been working with two different externship sites. One being the City of Chicago Soccer Club and the other being Evanston Township High School. My love for sports has only grown since entering this field. It allows me to remain connected and involved in the sport world, while also teaching athletes different skills and
techniques to help them reach their full potential. I aspire to offer mental skills training to as many athletes and sport organizations as I can.
Outside of my work with my two sites, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, going on
walks, trying different workout classes, and reading. When I can, I love to travel home to see my niece and nephew, as well as the rest of my family and all of our animals!

 I was born in Norwich, England and began doing gymnastics when I was 4 years old. I played soccer growing up but quickly specialized in gymnastics. I competed at the National and International level representing England before moving across the pond in 2020 to compete at the Division 1 level for Iowa State. I earned two Undergraduate degrees in Kinesiology (exercise science) and Psychology before coming to Adler University to pursue my master's degrees in Sport and Human Performance as well as Mental Health Counselling. 

My experiences as a high-level athlete ultimately taught me the absolute need for Sport Psychology and the importance of the mental game within sport. I have a deep care for everyone who I meet and am thrilled to have a continued involvement in Sport after it being a part of my life for so many years. 

I am so excited to have the opportunity to help others here at Chicago City Soccer Club!

 I was born in London, England before moving to Houston, Texas at the age of four. As a kid, soccer was my favorite sport, but in high school I committed to running cross country and track year-round. I later attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where I double majored in Psychology and Sport Performance & Leadership. During my time at SMU, I also helped coach youth soccer players at summer camps hosted by the men’s and women’s soccer teams. I’m now in graduate school at Adler University, where I’m working towards two master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Sport & Human Performance.

Sports have always played a big role in my life as an athlete, coach, and fan. My experiences within sport have taught me many life lessons and connected me with so many great people. I’m grateful to be building a career that combines my passion for both sport and helping others grow into their potential. I’m very excited to be joining Chicago City Soccer Club and working alongside such an awesome staff. I also look forward to supporting the players as I’ll be focused on developing the mental side of their performance.

I was born in Denver, Colorado, and lived there until I was recruited by the United States Military Academy at West Point to play Division I soccer. While at West Point, I majored in Human Intelligence and minored in Counter-Terrorism, and after graduating I commissioned into the U.S. military, where I served for six years. During that time, I operated tanks before transitioning into mental wellness and performance at the Division level, ultimately becoming a Master Resilience Trainer. I was also selected to represent the United States in two international military soccer tournaments.

Throughout my service, I had opportunities to support high-level performance environments, including working with Kansas State Women’s Basketball and ROTC programs on sport and human performance skills. After leaving the military in 2024, I joined the Overwatch Project, a non-profit focused on firearm suicide prevention within the military community. I am currently a graduate student at Adler University, pursuing dual master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Sport and Human Performance.

Soccer has been a defining part of my life since I started playing at age three, but I have a deep love for all sports and an even deeper passion for helping athletes excel in a way that supports their overall well-being and development. I am incredibly excited to begin working with Chicago City Soccer Club and look forward to supporting the program’s standard of excellence.

I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where I started playing soccer at the age of 5 and continued playing competitively through high school. Throughout my life, I have participated in other sports like basketball and golf, but soccer was always my favorite. in 2024, I earned a bachelor's in psychology with an emphasis in sport psychology from Grand Canyon University, where I spent two years coaching multiple youth soccer teams and providing individual goalkeeper training. Currently, I am a graduate student at Adler University earning dual master's degrees in sport and human performance as well as clinical mental health counseling.

Throughout my time as both an athlete and a coach, I have witnessed the unique need for mental performance training. As an athlete, I always wondered how mental fortitude and emotional regulation would impact performance. As a coach, I saw how different each athlete is and learned about how to tailor my approach to increase performance.

I am thrilled to receive this opportunity and provide mental skills training to the athletes of CCSC!

I grew up in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where movement and sport were woven into daily life. After exploring many activities, including soccer, I ultimately committed to swimming, volleyball, tennis, and Nordic skiing for more than 15 years. These experiences fueled my passion for human performance, resilience, and supporting others in reaching their potential.

I earned my B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology from Western Washington University and have spent over eight years working with young athletes as a nanny, swim coach, and tennis coach. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sport & Human Performance at Adler University as I work toward becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC).

Sports have connected me with inspiring people and transformative experiences, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with CCSC coaches and athletes. I look forward to continuing to support athletes in building confidence, resilience, and the mental skills that enhance both their performance and overall well-being.