2027 United Soccer Coaches Convention Presenters
The United Soccer Coaches Convention is where the game’s top minds come together to share, connect, and inspire. From world-class coaches to trailblazing doctors and soccer legends, our presenters deliver fresh ideas and powerful sessions that take your game to the next level.
Please note: Presenters are subject to change based on availability. Make sure to check back frequently as new presenters will be added regularly!
Michelle Rick
Michelle Rick is the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Robert Morris University, entering her third season in 2026. She previously led the University of Findlay to consecutive G-MAC semifinals and regional top-10 rankings, compiling a 22-11-7 record over two seasons.
A former Division I player at Wright State, Rick has also coached at Marietta College, Ohio Galaxies FC and Beavercreek High School, helping lead the latter to the 2018 Ohio Division I State Championship. She holds a U.S. Soccer C License and United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma and was named to the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 Class of 2023. She currently serves on the organization’s Board of Directors.
Lou Mignone
Coaching Education and TOPSoccer Director, New Jersey Youth SoccerWith over 40 years of coaching experience, Lou Mignone holds U.S. Soccer A-License and United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma. He is a dedicated leader in coaching education, serving as a Coach Educator for U.S. Soccer.
David Wiebenga
A United Soccer Coaches member for more than 20 years, Wiebenga has led the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Lee’s Summit High School since 2005, earning multiple conference and district titles, Missouri Final Four appearances, and the 2014 Missouri Class 4 Boys State Championship.
As Goalkeeper Director for Union KC and a United Soccer Coaches National Instructor since 2013, he focuses on goalkeeper development and coach education. A former professional goalkeeper, Wiebenga played for the Arizona Sahuaros and Calgary Storm.
Eddie Loewen
Originally from Germany, Loewen is a former professional player who competed in Germany, the United States, and with the German Beach Soccer National Team.
A UEFA A License and USSF B License holder, he has coached at the NCAA Division I level and served as a FIFA and CONCACAF coaching instructor. As Co-Founder of Global Soccer Development and International Soccer Academy, he has helped 270 players earn professional trials and 65 secure professional contracts since 2020.
Daniel Lock
Lock has 10 years of elite youth development experience and currently serves as Head of Academy Methodology and Coaching at Orlando City.
Previously, he held academy leadership roles with Columbus Crew, Charlotte FC and Seattle Sounders FC. A U.S. Soccer coach educator, Lock has contributed to championship-winning programs and holds multiple advanced coaching licenses.
Steven Chapman
A longtime coach and educator, he has coached at the high school and club levels since 1994, earning four state championships and five runner-up finishes. After 24 years with Richmond Strikers SC, he retired from club coaching in 2026.
He holds BS and MA degrees from The Ohio State University and has spent 35 years teaching health and physical education.
Jessica Lamb
Dr. Jessica Lamb is a pediatric occupational therapist, Certified Youth Development Specialist, and Program Director of Union KC S.T.A.R.S. (Success Through Adaptive Recreational Soccer) in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jessica combines occupational therapy, child development, and youth soccer to promote inclusion through Union KC’s S.T.A.R.S. program. Her work focuses on developing athletes as leaders and ambassadors of inclusion. She has contributed articles to U.S. Soccer and presented on hidden disabilities at the United Soccer Coaches Convention.
Bill Steffen
Dr. Bill Steffen has 31 years of coaching and education experience and serves as a United Soccer Coaches Senior National Staff Coach and Ethics Committee Chair.
An Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Wingate University, he researches coaching and athletic performance and received the USC Bertocelli Award in 2017 for his contributions to education.
Kelly Sims
Originally from Southampton, UK, Kelly serves as Girls Academy Director and Assistant Technical Director at STA and assists with U.S. Soccer and U.S. Virgin Islands youth national teams.
Passionate about player and coach development, she focuses on data-driven coaching and is the founder of C2X (Coach to Excellence), an AI-powered coach development platform.
Ritchie Wilson
Ritchie is Head of Coach Education & Development, bringing 34 years of coaching and 28 years of coach education experience.
He holds a UEFA Pro Licence and has coached at the national team and professional club levels. An experienced international educator, he has led coaching development initiatives across Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Kristi Beckman
Kristi Beckman is a DSA Labs Customer Success Specialist in Data Analytics and Vice President of Next 11 Network, a nonprofit supporting female soccer coaches worldwide. With 30 years of coaching experience across professional, collegiate, and youth levels, she has held roles with DC United Academy, Loudoun United FC, and DC Power FC.
Kristi holds a USSF B License and United Soccer Coaches Master Coach Diploma, specializing in leadership development, player wellness, and data-driven coaching.
Jay Martin
Winningest coach in men’s NCAA history. Two national championships.
Past United Soccer Coaches president, Honor Award winner, Hall of Fame recipient. Fifty year member of the organization.
Gary Monk
Garry Monk is a former Premier League player and manager with over 25 years of professional experience, including captaining Swansea City. He has managed multiple clubs across England’s top three divisions and is co-founder of Soccer Profile, a football development platform.
He now delivers coach education focused on leadership, communication, decision-making, and effective learning environments.
Louis Liberatore
Lou Liberatore is the National Club Resources and Director Education Director at Kings Hammer Soccer Club, leading coach education, curriculum development, and talent identification.
With collegiate and youth coaching experience, he holds multiple USSF licenses and serves as Lead Instructor for the United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma, specializing in goalkeeper development and coach education.
Marcus DiBernardo
Coach Marcus DiBernardo is an internationally recognized coaching educator and NJCAA Coaches Hall of Fame inductee. A five-time National College Coach of the Year, he has won four national championships and developed over 150 NCAA Division I players.
His work bridges coaching theory and practical methodology, reaching coaches worldwide through books, presentations, and digital education.
Colleen Hacker, Ph.D., FNAP, CMPC
Dr. Hacker is a performance psychology specialist who has served on six Olympic coaching staffs and over 10 world championship teams across soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse. Her teams have earned multiple Olympic medals and world titles, and she has been inducted into seven Halls of Fame.
Jimmy Obleda
Jimmy Obleda is an internationally experienced coach and technical director with 25+ years across youth, collegiate, professional, and international soccer.
A former USL League One head coach, he holds the CONMEBOL Pro License and USSF A License and has worked with the U.S. Men’s National Team, CF Monterrey, and the Uruguayan Football Association in player development and talent identification.
Sarah Gonzalez
Sarah is in her 22nd year as a high school coach and also has the honor of coaching her 7-year-old daughter’s team. A former player at the University of Kansas, she began her coaching career as a junior varsity coach before moving to the varsity level. She also commentates KU home soccer matches on ESPN+ and KC Current Radio. Outside of soccer, Sarah enjoys spending time with her wife and raising their three children: a 7-year-old and 5-year-old twins.
William Shapiro III
William “Shap” Shapiro is a soccer coach, educator, and leader with 24+ years of experience in player development and coach education. He has led Union City High School’s boys soccer program for more than 15 years and currently serves as Director of Coaching Education for Union City Soccer Club and a coach with New Jersey ODP.
Shapiro is a USSF and United Soccer Coaches educator and serves as Co-Chair of the United Soccer Coaches National High School Committee.
Michael Wiggins
Michael Wiggins is Head Soccer Coach at Hinsdale Central High School with 30+ years of coaching and leadership experience and over 400 career victories.
A two-time Illinois High School Soccer Coach of the Year and national finalist, he is also the author of The Starting 11 and a frequent clinician and speaker, including five United Soccer Coaches Convention presentations since 2019.
Lindsay Kauffman
Deb Raber
Deb Raber has been as a head coach in D3 for 32 years. She has been a proud member of United Soccer Coaches since 1995 and has served the association in various capacities. Being a staff coach and curriculum developer is by far the highlight of her work with United Soccer.
Paul Marco
Paul is an assistant coach with the University of New Haven Women’s Soccer program following a distinguished 24-year tenure as head men’s coach at Binghamton University, where he led the Bearcats to multiple America East championships and NCAA Tournaments.
A United Soccer Coaches Senior National Staff Coach, he also serves as Director of Coaching Education Development, helping shape national coaching curriculum and education pathways.
Tom Shields
Tom is a Technical Director, Head Coach, and Coach Developer with experience across elite youth and pre-professional soccer. He has supported 500+ collegiate commitments and developed players who have advanced to professional and national team levels.
A USL League Two Coach of the Year, he holds multiple U.S. Soccer coaching licenses and degrees in Sport Psychology and Sports Coaching.
Joao (John) Barata
John Barata founded The Beautiful Game Soccer Academy in 2013, developing thousands of young players and mentoring coaches as a U.S. Soccer Grassroots Educator. In 17 seasons at Oliver Ames High School, he has led the boys’ soccer team to a 239-53-48 record, 12 league titles, six South Sectional championships, and four MIAA state championships, including a historic three-peat from 2022–2024. His numerous honors include United Soccer Coaches National Youth Coach of the Year and Coach of Significance.
Joey Harty
Joey Harty has over 15 years of experience in sports performance, including 10 seasons with Sporting Kansas City, where he most recently served as Director of Sports Performance and Science. He founded Harty Performance and currently supports the Kansas City Current’s high-performance program.
Joey holds a master’s degree in Applied Exercise Science and multiple professional certifications, specializing in sports science, athlete development, and performance optimization.
Randy Waldrum
Randy Waldrum is a highly accomplished coach who led Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics and coached the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Team and U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team. At Notre Dame, he won two NCAA National Championships and competed in eight College Cup Final Fours. In 2026, he was named to the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame and has also been inducted into the Tulsa University, Midwestern State University, Irving Sports, and Irving High School Halls of Fame.
Mike Lynch
Lynch is Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Belmont Abbey, earning United Soccer Coaches recognition for academic excellence 13 consecutive years and sportsmanship and ethics 12 consecutive years, along with two Team Pinnacle Awards. He holds the USSF National “A” License and has served in leadership roles with United Soccer Coaches, including its Board of Directors, and was appointed to the NCAA Division II Soccer National Committee in 2026. He is also a published author and podcast contributor on coaching education, tactical training, analytics, and sportsmanship.
Ali Hanif
With 17 years of coaching and education experience, he currently serves as assistant and goalkeeper coach at Texas A&M University. His career includes Manchester United FC, multiple Division I programs, and Director of Goalkeeping roles at the ECNL and GA levels.
A licensed USSF and UEFA coach, he also educates coaches through United Soccer Coaches and U.S. Soccer, specializing in goalkeeper development and player performance.
Jesse Marsch
Jesse Marsch is a former professional player with 14 years of experience in Major League Soccer. He has coached professionally across MLS, Austria, Germany, England, and Canada.
James Wagenschutz
Alexi Lalas
