Union Academy Staff

STAFF:

Technical Staff:

Academy Director, Tommy Wilson

Coaching Qualifications:

•UEFA Pro License Diploma

•UEFA Advanced License Diploma

•UEFA Basic License Diploma

•Scottish FA Youth Director’s Award

•Scottish FA Advanced Youth License

•Scottish FA Advanced Children’s License

Coaching Experience:

•2006 – 2013, Academy Technical Director and Reserve Team Manager for Rangers FC (Scotland)

•From 2004 to 2006, Head of Coaching and Education for the Scottish Football Association (SFA) 

•Scottish National Team Coach from 2004 to 2007 and as the Head of SFA's Youth Development from 2000 to 2004

•Led the U19 National Team to the European Championship Finals in Poland, 2006 (losing to Spain 2-1 in the final)

•Led the U20 National Team to the FIFA World Cup Finals in Canada, 2007

•Developed and implemented the much acclaimed Scottish FA UEFA Pro License Diploma

U14 Head Coach, Chris Brewer

Coaching Qualifications:

•USSF A License

•National Youth License

•FIFA Futuro III

Coaching Experience:

•U18 MNT Assistant Coach  (2012-Present)

•U14 MNT Assistant Coach (2010-2011)

•US Soccer Technical Advisor (2009-2013)

U16 Head Coach, Jeff Cook

Coaching Qualifications:

•UEFA Pro License

•UEFA Advanced Coaching Diploma – SFA “A” License

•US Soccer Federation “A” License

•National Soccer Coaches Association of America

Coaching Experience:

•Head Men’s Soccer Coach, Dartmouth College (2001 – 2013)

•Head Men’s Soccer Coach, University of Cincinnati (1996 – 2001)

•Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach, Dartmouth College (1994 – 1996)

•Head Men’s Soccer Coach, Wheaton College (MA) (1991 – 1994)

•Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach, University of Massachusetts (1990 – 1991)

U18 Head Coach, Peter Fuller

Coaching Qualifications:

•National Coaching Institute of Canada “B” License

Coaching Experience:

•Assistant Coach, New England Revolution, Reserve Team (2011)

•Head Soccer Coach, University of Mobile (1995 – 2011)

•Head Soccer Coach, US Youth Soccer Association (1997-2011)

•Head Soccer Coach, Belhaven College (1990-1994)

•Director of Coaching, Mississippi ODP (1991-1993)

•Assistant Soccer Coach, Belhaven College (1988-1989)

Union / YSC Youth Director, Iain Munro:

Coaching Qualifications:

•UEFA Pro License 

•Scottish FA “A” License

Coaching Experience:

•Ayr United F.C. Assistant Manager / Team Coach, Scottish First Division (1997-2001)

•Manager / Team Coach, Raith Rovers F.C., Scottish Premier League (1996-1997)

•Manager / Team Coach, Hamilton Academical F.C., Scottish First Division (1992-1996)

•Manager / Team Coach, Dundee F.C., Scottish First Division (1991-1992)

•Assistant Manager / Manager / Team Coach, Dunfermline A.F.C., Scottish First Division/ Scottish Premier (1987-1991)

Assistant Youth Director, Phil Karn:

Coaching Qualifications:

•USSF National “B” License

•USSF National Youth License

Coaching Experience:

•YSC Staff Coach (2006 - Current)

•Philadelphia Union U16 Academy Head Coach (2011)

•Philadelphia University Assistant Soccer Coach (2004 - 2006)

•Abington High School Assistant (1999 - 2003)

Youth / Academy Goalkeeping Coach, BJ Callaghan

Coaching Qualifications:

•USSF National ‘A’ License 

•NSCAA Goalkeeper License 

Coaching Experience:

•Associate Head Coach, Villanova University (2010 – 2012)

•Assistant Coach, Villanova University (2006 – 2010)

•Assistant Coach, St. Joseph (2004 – 2006)

•Assistant Coach, Ursinus College (2003 – 2004)

•US Soccer Training Staff Coach (2010 – Present)

•Director of FC Delco Goalkeeping Academy (2009 – 2012)

•Head Coach, Montgomery Soccer Club (2009 – 2011)

•Region I U-16 GK Coach (2007 – 2008)

•Head Coach, FC Delco Soccer Club (2005 – 2007)

Youth Staff Coach, Kevin Coleman

Coaching Qualifications:

•NSCAA Advanced Regional Coaching License

Coaching Experience:

•FC Delco Academy (2008-2013)

•Villanova University (2010-2011)

•LaSalle University (2007-2010)

Sport Science Staff:

Director Psychology, Dr. Cristina Fink

Cristina Fink, PhD, is a highly experienced sport psychologist with over 18 years of experience in teaching, counseling and sport administration.  Counseling clients include Olympic Medalists and World Champions as well as professional and national soccer teams.  Cristina competed in two Olympic Games (Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992) and held the Mexican High Jump Record with a 6’4 jump for 22 years.  She has a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Family and Consumer Resources from the University of Arizona, Tucson.  She has a Masters Degree and PhD obtained in Sport Psychology from the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) in Madrid, Spain.  Cristina is the author of a number of published papers and books, and a keynote speaker in many national and international conferences.  She is the Director of Sport Psychology for YSC / Union Youth Development and is responsible for helping implement its core-values and behavioral learning into its soccer education curriculum.  Cristina also supports the Philadelphia Union working directly with first team athletes as directed by Philadelphia Union Technical Staff.  She is the first non-European to be invited into INFP (International Network of Football Psychologists) where her peer group include sport psychologists from top professional European clubs (including Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, etc.).

Director Sport Education, Finn Gundersen

Finn Gundersen, Director of Sport Education, is the former Director of Sport Education at the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA), and co-founder of Burke Mountain Academy the first sport-specific youth academy developed in the United States. Gundersen has over 40 years of elite youth development and coaching experience, including coaching at the Olympic and Alpine FIS World Cup levels.  He has worked with athletes from youth grassroots to the Olympic levels.  Finn serves as Director of Sport Education and is responsible for the development of the YSC / Union Youth Development coaching staff and coaching methodologies.  His articles and reading recommendations for coaches and parents can be found on yscsports.com (homepage) under the Instructional Zone.

Sports Psychology Staff, Emily Galvin

Emily Galvin, of Sport Psychology Staff, has a Master’s Degree in Sport Studies from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh.  Emily is involved with various activities at YSC and Union Youth Development programs, including YSC's Player Development Program, Union Futures, Union Juniors and Union Academy programs.  Emily is part of the Sport Psychology Department's efforts to teach players about mental skills and how they can enhance performance and enjoyment both on and off the field.  She is a member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and the American Psychological Association.

Athletic Development Training (ADT Staff), Dave Peck

Director of Athletic Development Training (ADT) Performance, Dave Peck

Dave holds a degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison, where he lettered 3 years playing football.  He is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach.

ADT Staff, Liz Wahlberg, 

Liz graduated cum laude from West Chester University with a B.S. in Exercise Science with minors in nutrition and coaching.  Liz’s athletic background ranges from competitive gymnastics, to Division 1 diving, and most recently, competing in the 2012 Reebok Crossfit Games.  

ADT Staff, Anthony Greco

Anthony graduated from West Chester University with a B.S. in Kinesiology and Health and Physical Education Teaching Certification.  He has participated in continuing education through the GAIN Network, which focuses on scientific, experienced based athletic enhancement programs.

Academy Business & Operations Staff:

Tim Cook, Director Business Operations

Commencing May 6, 2013 Tim Cook will transfer from his 1st team duties to Director Business Operations for the Union Youth Development programs. Tim enters his third season with Philadelphia Union after spending three years with the United States Men’s Senior National Team. Having worked with some of the nation’s best players and coaches throughout all levels of U.S. Soccer, including Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Philadelphia Union’s own John Hackworth, Cook brings a world of experience to the City of Brotherly Love.

Raised in Sacramento, Calif., Cook graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in kinesiology in 2007. Immediately after graduation, he took a job with U.S. Soccer and outfitted the USMNT through CONCACAF World Cup qualifying round. The national team enjoyed one of its most successful stretches in history during Cook’s tenure, winning silver medals in both the Confederations Cup and the Gold Cup.

Kyle Strunk, Equipment Manager

•B.S. Sports Management, Newmann College

•Equipment Manager, Philadelphia Union Academy (2011-Present)

•Equipment Manager, Philadelphia Union Youth Development Programs (2011-Present)

•YSC Sports Facility Operations (2011-Present)