As a local high school coach, it always has been my hope that I could use the platform of the head-coaching role to work with and support the youth soccer program in town. I have been on the job at Pembroke (Mass.) High School for the past three years. In my time as head varsity coach, I have now … [Read more...]
Why we need high school soccer to flourish
The U.S. soccer landscape is going through one of its most important and intriguing time periods in its history. With the men’s national team failing to quality for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, questions were asked, concerns shared and a possible complete overhaul of the United States Soccer Federation … [Read more...]
Volunteer Coach: How keys to tournament opened new doors for us
In last month’s column, I focused on four key ingredients that a team would need in order to make a deep run in the MIAA high school tournament. Fresh off the Pembroke (Mass.) High School boys’ four-game run to the MIAA Division 2 South Sectional final, I now can review my own thoughts and contrast … [Read more...]
Volunteer Coach: Tournament teams need these critical elements
The month of November is tournament time for high school coaches. It is my favorite time of the year because it is filled with all of the excitement, intrigue and passion that is high school sports. The days are shorter, the weather gets colder and the atmosphere intensifies at fields across New … [Read more...]
Volunteer Coach: Suggestions to maximize your pregame warm-up
September marks the beginning of the fall high school season here in Massachusetts. As I prepped for the 2017 season, one of the topics that I looked to address was the pregame warm-up for my boys’ side at Pembroke High School. Through many of the camps that I participated in over the summer, I … [Read more...]
Remembering Tony DiCicco: ‘A True Pioneer’
In the coaching world, there are only a few true pioneers of the game of soccer here in the States. For me, Tony DiCicco is at the top of that list. A native of Wethersfield, Conn., DiCicco’s list of coaching achievements is incredible and outstrips any other American. His career has seen him win … [Read more...]