Coach Julie
Coach Julie is a thoughtful, athlete-centered mentor who deeply values clarity, connection, and purpose in her coaching. She draws on her journey as a four-year varsity starter and two-time captain at nearby Council Rock High School South, followed by a stellar collegiate career at Haverford College, where she earned Centennial Conference All‑League honors.
Julie’s coaching philosophy centers on breaking down complex skills into meaningful, game-applicable moments. She believes that every drill must have a purpose that clearly translates to on-field performance. This approach extends to her work with athletes across all positions. Having played nearly every position herself, Julie is skilled at both identifying individual strengths and guiding players to address their weaknesses.
Beyond soccer fundamentals, Julie places great value on balance and well-being. Having experienced burnout and injury herself, coach Julie is aware of these issues and makes it a priority to keep training fun, sustainable, and focused on long-term growth.
As someone who just recently navigated the college recruiting process, Coach Julie offers invaluable insight and encouragement to young athletes aspiring to play at the next level.
Coaching Location: Southampton, PA
Coach Derek
Coach Derek’s soccer journey began in his home state of New Jersey, where he played Division I soccer at Monmouth University from 2011 to 2015. During his tenure, he earned First Team All-MAAC honors and was named to the All-MAAC Tournament team, leading the team in assists during both his junior and senior seasons. As team captain, he helped Monmouth secure two MAAC regular-season titles, two conference tournament championships, and a pair of appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
His college coach attributes Derek’s “fantastic work ethic and commitment to improve” as a driving force beyond his opportunity to play professionally. At the age of 22, Derek signed with Major League Soccer (MLS) club FC Cincinnati. Getting time on the field in 2017 and 2018, the experience honed his understanding of elite-level training, tactical nuance, and the mentality required of high-level athletes.
Derek brings the lessons he’s learned into each session, blending technical skill-building with athletic performance. He emphasizes footwork, coordination, speed, and agility with drills designed to translate directly to game-like scenarios.
As a certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine, he tailors workouts to improve explosiveness, conditioning, and resilience, which are paramount to success on the pitch. Beyond physical tools, Derek focuses on instilling confidence and resilience, helping players overcome challenges by equipping them both technically and mentally.
Coaching Location: Pennsburg, PA
Coach Kaitlin
Coach Kaitlin is a Philadelphia-area soccer coach who has lived in and around the city nearly her entire life, giving her a deeply rooted understanding of the local scene, ranging from club play to high school programs. She channels this familiarity into her coaching, valuing community, connection, and consistency with every athlete she works with.
As a member of the West Chester University soccer team, Kaitlin contributed to the Golden Ram’s Division Two national runner-up team in 2022. As a junior this past fall, she logged a career-high 12 starts. As a fundamental piece of the Golden Ram’s defense, she looks forward to one last year in the NCAA!
Kaitlin prides herself on creating a supportive and empowering learning environment. She believes that fundamentals like clean passing, precise footwork, smart movement, and intentional positioning are the foundation of both individual and team success. Her coaching style is adaptive and player-focused. Kaitlin nurtures both technical growth and love for the game by tailoring each session to match an athlete’s age, skill level, and personality.
Kaitlin knows that a huge part of the game takes place off the pitch, which is why she places a great emphasis on mindset. She fosters growth through encouragement and clear communication, with the goal of helping athletes not just get better, but also enjoy the process and develop a lifelong connection to soccer.
Coaching Location: Malvern, PA
Coach Abby
Abby is a standout coach with a strong foundation built on her own high-level playing experience. With more than 30 lessons already on Athletes Untapped, she’s earned a reputation for delivering results and creating lasting connections with athletes.
Philadelphia is Abby’s home. Growing up, Abby represented FC Delco before playing for Springside Chestnut Hill in high school, where her team was ranked as high as 11th in the nation. Her high school performances caught the attention of Brandeis University, where she has continued her athletic journey. There, Coach Abby has accumulated over 2,000 minutes on the pitch and has been a nightmare for opponents. You don’t have to take our word for it, take a look at her highlight tape yourself!
Her playing background shines through in her training style. Abby places a premium on technical precision, tactical understanding, and intelligent decision-making. She strives to empower players by translating her on-field experience into drills that reinforce clean touch and spatial awareness. In her sessions, Abby creates a positive, confidence-building environment that encourages athletes to take ownership of their growth and develop a deeper love for the sport.
Coaching Location: Philadelphia, PA
Coach Michael
Michael brings 20+ years of international playing experience and six years of coaching expertise to the Philadelphia soccer community. Originally from London, England, he was scouted by Queens Park Rangers at just six years old and rose through their elite youth system, playing for their U16 and U18 squads. He competed in top-tier tournaments such as Premier League showcases and the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, later earning a spot at the Nike Academy.
His journey continued in the U.S., where he played collegiate soccer at Coastal Bend Junior College and Mid-America Christian University, years that greatly informed the way Coach Michael understands the demands of American collegiate soccer. Now holding a UEFA B License, Coach Michael is committed to building technically sound and confident players through personalized, high-intensity training sessions.
His coaching style blends positive reinforcement with a structured, purposeful progression rooted in fundamental skill development. Each session includes dynamic warm-ups and activation drills to prepare the body, followed by focused technical work on touch, dribbling, passing, and decision-making under pressure. Depending on the player’s needs, he integrates position-specific instruction and strength & conditioning exercises to build explosiveness and endurance.
Throughout every session, Michael fosters a high-energy and supportive environment where players are challenged to grow mentally and physically. His holistic approach helps athletes of all ages become not just better soccer players, but more confident and prepared competitors.
Coaching Location: Philadelphia, PA
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To connect with these fantastic coaches, check them out at Athletes Untapped and begin your journey to becoming the player you have always dreamt of!
