McLean Youth Soccer announces 2016-2017 travel coaching staff

(Via McLean Youth Soccer) – McLean Youth Soccer has announced its 2016-2017 travel coach assignments.

+McLean Youth Soccer 2016-2017 Coaching Staff

The returning staff includes Hall of Fame and decorated coaches, as well as icons in the U.S. Soccer world. Returning coach, Bruce Murray, is a member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame and member of the 1990 World Cup team. Keith Tabatznik brings 22 years experience as Head Coach of Georgetown University, is the Head Coach of the USYS Region I Boys Olympic Development Program and continues in his role as the MYS Director of Soccer.

Returning as the U8-U12 Girls and U13 -U18 Girls Age Group Directors respectively, Diane Drake and Cindi Harkes, bring decades of playing and coaching experience in the youth and collegiate world to the young female athletes in the club. And D.C. area soccer icon and Virginia/D.C. Hall of Fame member, Clyde Watson, returns for his 7th year as Technical Director.

McLean’s returning staff averages more than five years of tenure with the club, including several returning veteran coaches who have been with MYS for over 12 years.

This year, the club is welcoming two Division I College Coaches to the program: Todd West – Head Men’s Coach at American University and Craig Jones – Head Men’s Coach at George Washington University.

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“Being able to attract coaches such as Todd and Craig is one of my major goals for McLean,” said McLean Director of Soccer Keith Tabatznik. “Complementing the already outstanding MYS coaching staff, the addition of these coaches will offer our players an experience that is unmatched in youth soccer. Their knowledge and contacts will be a major plus to aid players in the college decision process, giving McLean players an even better pathway to the next level.”

West, who is the Assistant Head Coach for the USYS Region I Olympic Development Program, will be coaching the ’03 Boys Green team. Jones (also on the USYS Region I ODP Staff) will coach the ’03 Boys Gold team and the ’01 Boys Gold team, and former International and U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame member, while Murray will coach the ’03 Boys White team.

“It would be highly unlikely that any club could have such an amazing trio of coaches in the same age group,” Tabatznik said. “This will be a special year for the ’03s!:

Tryouts for the 2016-2017 teams will kickoff with the U-12 U.S. Soccer Development Academy tryouts beginning on May 6th. ECNL and Travel team tryouts will be held throughout May.