Coaching Staff & Pros

Coaching Staff

Our campers learn from the very best! Union Soccer Schools coaching staff features top college and high school coaches, collegiate athletes, and special guest appearances from Philadelphia Union players and coaches. We are committed to providing a fun, friendly, and supportive environment where every player’s development is our top priority. Limited enrollment and a low camper-to-staff ratio ensures that every participant reaches his or her highest potential.

Players from Left to Right

Le Toux, MacMath, M.Farfan, Carroll 

Players

Here are just a few of the coaches and players scheduled to make guest appearances:*

Brian Carroll #7, Midfielder

Carroll was traded to the Philadelphia Union on November 22, 2010, from the Columbus Crew. A veteran midfielder with two MLS Cups under his belt, Carroll brought a high work-rate to the Union’s midfield in 2011, starting all 32 games he appeared in. Carroll has been selected as team captain for the 2013 season.

Sheanon Williams #25, Defender

Signed with the Philadelphia Union on August 31, 2010. He has played in two youth World Cups for the United States: the U-17 World Cup in Korea (2007) and the U-20 World Cup in Egypt (2009).

Michael Farfan #21, Midfielder

Michael Farfan, twin brother of teammate Gabriel, was selected by the Union from the University of North Carolina as the 23rd overall selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Farfan emerged as one of the top rookies in his class, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. Farfan was also selected to the 2012 MLS All-Star Team last season.

Gabriel Farfan #15, Midfielder/Defender

Gabriel Farfan, twin brother of teammate Michael, signed with the Union on March 18, 2011. Farfan competed in the 2000 World Youth Championships in Japan and was also a member of the 2004 Olympic Development Program national champions.

Zac MacMath #18, Goalkeeper

Played with the U-17 team at the 2007 FIFA World Cup, starting two games in goal. As a junior at the University of Maryland, MacMath was a First-Team All-ACC selection and was also named ACC Tournament's Most Valuable Player after shutting out top-seeded North Carolina in the title match and Virginia in the semifinals.

Sebastien Le Toux #11, Forward

With the Union, Le Toux quickly emerged as one of the premier offensive stars in Major League Soccer. The versatile attacker, who became Philadelphia's first All-Star representative in 2010, is widely regarded as one of the hardest workers in the league.

Coaches

John Hackworth, Team Manager

On Aug. 30, 2013 Coach Hackworth was officially named as the second team manager in Union history. Since the club's inception he has been key in creating a style of play and level of commitment for all who wear Philadelphia Union colors, from the first team all the way down the ladder in the youth program. Hackworth came to Philadelphia after spending two years as an assistant coach with the U.S. Men’s National Team under Bob Bradley, guiding the squad to a first place finish in group play in World Cup Qualifying and a second place finish in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Rob Vartughian, Coach/Technical Director

Perhaps no one has had more success in the country at grooming some of the nation’s top goalkeepers than coach/technical director Rob Vartughian. Initially serving as assistant coach/goalkeeper coordinator for the Union, Vartughian is now Hackworth’s top assistant and technical director. In addition to his continued work with the goalkeepers and assisting Hackworth in player management and coaching decisions, Vartughian is responsible for overseeing the club’s scouting and evaluation of players.

Brendan Burke, Assistant Coach

Brendan Burke serves as the club's assistant coach and is the head coach of the Reading United A.C. PDL squad. Burke became the head coach of Philadelphia’s reserve league in its inception in 2011 and is Reading United’s most successful coach in the club’s 15-year history with a 61-14-13 record and two trips to the PDL National Final Four and the 2009 regular season championship in five years. He has built a program that has recently seen some of the nation’s top talent come to train and play for Reading before entering the professional ranks.

Jim Curtin, Assistant Coach

Jim Curtin joins the Union’s staff as assistant coach of the senior squad. In June 2010, Curtin joined the staff at YSC Sports in Wayne as the director of curriculum development. Additionally, Curtin was the Union’s Under-18 Academy head coach and was instrumental in the U18s capturing the 2012 Generation Adidas Cup. Curtin attended Villanova University and was drafted into the MLS in 2001 by the Chicago Fire. The 2004 MLS All-Star played over two hundred games for the Fire as was named Chicago’s defender of the year in 2004 before finishing his final two seasons in the league with Chivas USA.

*Please note: Each week will feature at least one Philadelphia Union coach & two Philadelphia Union players, including staff and players not listed above. Philadelphia Union players and coaches are subject to change.

Photo credits: All Philadelphia Union photos courtesy of Greg Carroccio (Sideline Photos) and Getty Images