SAN JOSE, Calif. — Major League Soccer today announced that 22 coaches — including the San Jose Earthquakes Academy's Erin Ridley and Steven Sosa — received their Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL) in partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF). One of the most highly regarded and rigorous soccer coaching courses in the world, the fifth iteration of the EFCL ran a total of seven weeks over an 18-month period, which culminated at the famed INF Clairefontaine outside of Paris in August.
As part of the program, coaches were required to submit a final project that incorporated classroom and on-field instruction, illustrating their ability to master teachings over the course of the 18 months. The projects were then evaluated based off the candidates’ ability to implement a principle of play within their environment or team. Of the below 22 coaches that received their Elite Formation Coaching License, Ridley became the first woman from MLS to complete the program. The LA Galaxy’s Sam Al-Basith will complete his final certification in December.
Club | Name | Role |
Atlanta United | Will Bates | U-16 Head Coach |
Charlotte FC | Patrick Daka | U-14 Head Coach/ Director of Pre-formation |
Chicago Fire FC | Selim Talbi | U-16 Head Coach |
FC Cincinnati | Tyrone Marshall | MLS NEXT Pro Head Coach |
Colorado Rapids | Elliot Prost | U-17 Head Coach |
DC Soccer Club | Matt Arrington | Director of Coaching |
FC Dallas | Adam Wells | U-16 Head Coach |
Houston Dynamo FC | Jeremy Hurdle | Interim MLS NEXT Pro Head Coach |
Sporting Kansas City | Luis Pacheco | U-15 Head Coach |
Los Angeles Football Club | Andrew May | U-18 Head Coach |
Nashville SC | Jason Boxx | U-16 Head Coach |
New England Revolution | Rob Becerra | Director of Youth Development |
New England Revolution | Liam Connors | U-13 Head Coach |
New York City FC | Michael Dal Pra | U-18 Head Coach |
New York Red Bulls | Jonathan Rhodes | Head of Player Development & Pro Pathway |
Ohio Premier Soccer Club | Eric Dutt | Boys Formation Director/U16 Head Coach |
Philadelphia Union | Pedro Cavalcanti | U-16 Head Coach |
Philadelphia Union | Peter McDonnell | U-18 Head Coach |
San Jose Earthquakes | Erin Ridley | U-16 Head Coach |
San Jose Earthquakes | Steven Sosa | U-18 Head Coach |
Seattle Sounders FC | Brayton Knapp | Development Methodology Assistant and Analyst/U15 Head Coach |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Dan Fairhurst | U-18 Head Coach |
Overall, the EFCL platform has played a pivotal role in MLS Homegrown development and the growth of several head coaches, assistants, and general managers throughout MLS and MLS NEXT Pro. FC Cincinnati 2 head coach Tyrone Marshall, who was a recipient of the Elite Formation Coaching License this year, was previously named the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year on Oct. 16. Additionally, Chicago Fire FC academy head coach Selim Talbi, helped the Fire’s U15 side win an MLS NEXT Cup championship in June before completing the program.
Coaches and front office members who previously received their Elite Formation Coaching License have laid strong coaching foundations across MLS and MLS NEXT Pro over the last decade. Notable graduates include current MLS head coaches Nico Estévez (Austin FC), Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew), and Greg Vanney (LA Galaxy). Current Earthquakes general manager Chris Leitch, technical director John Wolyniec and MLS NEXT Pro head coach Dan DeGeer have also completed the EFCL program.
MLS is currently working with the French Football Federation on the sixth iteration of the Elite Formation Coaching License program which would begin in the spring of 2025.
About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer -- celebrating its 29th season in 2024 -- features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego that will debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. MLS Season Pass features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app.
