Meet Our Staff
We are here to provide you and your family with the best youth soccer experience possible! We are proud to bring you a group of highly accomplished coaches and administrators. Read the bios below to learn more about your coach and other leaders in our community.
USSF National D
USSF Youth National
NSCAA National GK
* HHS Coach |
Eric Anderson
03 Boys Br Blue, 04 Boys Blue, 97 Girls Elite
Phone: 517-861-6718
Email: etakeeper13@gmail.com
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Eric Anderson comes to the Michigan Alliance with a wealth of soccer knowledge. Eric has been a part of the Brighton soccer community as a player in High School, and has coached in Hamburg and Howell. In his spare time he has become an avid runner and has participated in several marathon events. Eric recently was married to Amy and is a proud parent to 3 beautiful children. |
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USSF National B
* Collegiate Coach
* ODP Coach |
Walt Barrett
01 Boys Grey, 02 Boys
Phone: 248-885-1356
Email: walterb@telsupsys.com
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Walt Barrett is practically a legend within soccer. Over the years Walt has worked with players from all over the state. In the early years, he guided Livonia Stevenson to two state championships. This success help springboard his coaching career which included Asst Coach at Eastern Michigan, Olympic Development, and later the University of Michigan. Walt has also coached for Vardar, Michigan Elite, Birmingham Blazers, AA Arsenal, and the Wolves/Hawks. Walt's best attributes consist of a very practical approach with players both at the top level and those that are learning. |
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USSF National D
USSF Youth National
NSCAA National GK
Schoolcraft GK Coach |
Jo Buck
98 Girls Grey
Director of Goal Keepers
Phone: 517-404-0532
Email: jobuck72@hotmail.com
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Jo Buck’s knowledge of the game continues to grow. Prior to becoming a coach, Jo started 4 years at Brighton High School and played several years for the Olympic Development Program. After stints at Plymouth High School and Howell High School as a coach, Jo quickly made the jump into club coaching. In addition to coaching club soccer, Jo also is the goal keeper coach at Schoolcraft College. Although her playing abilities leaned toward goalie, her understanding of the game and attention to detail are fantastic. Jo is currently the Michigan Alliance GK Director. |
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USSF National B
NSCAA National
NSCAA Advanced
* Professional Player
Cleary Head Coach
ODP Coach |
Droo Callahan
01 Girls Blue, 01 Girls Elite, 95 Girls Elite, DOC
Phone: 810-247-0025
Email: droocallahan@gmail.com
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Droo Callahan has been part of Livingston County soccer for over 10 years. Coming to the Metro Detroit area as a professional soccer player, he has dedicated his desire to teach youth soccer to the Livingston County area. Formally the Brighton Soccer Club’s Director of Coaching, he now heads the Michigan Alliance as Club Director. Droo also runs MSYSA Coaching education courses, ODP 101, and Cleary University Women's soccer. Droo is married to Amy and has 4 children. |
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MSYSA State E
HHS Coach
* Collegiate Player |
Ryan Carriere
02 Girls Elite, 03 Boys Blue, 03 G Br Blue
Director of Coaching - Boys
Phone: 734-604-7148
Email: ryancarriere.mafc@gmail.com
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Ryan’s success in Michigan as a player and coach are well known. As a youth player, he played club soccer for the Livonia Wolves followed by Schoolcraft and the University of Michigan. As a coach, Ryan has been a massive part of Livingston County soccer. Helping to start an organized soccer club in Howell, coaching Howell High varsity boys and girls, and quickly becoming the developmental coach in Hamburg Community Soccer Club are among his accomplishments. Ryan has three children and is married to Andrea. |
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USSF State D |
Charlie Coen
00 Boys Blue, 01 Boys Silver, 97 Girls Blue
Phone: 248-719-9745
Email: coenguitars@gmail.com
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Charlie’s inquisitiveness to soccer in unbridled. He studies that game intuitively and passes his passion to youth soccer players. After a successful Hartland coaching career, Charlie has joined the Alliance. He brings out the best in players he works with! He has two children in the club and is married to Jodi. |
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Sara Cortez
01 Girls Elite
Phone: 317-250-1914
Email: sara.a.cortez9@gmail.com
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Sara grew up playing many sports in a very athletic family in Indianapolis. Her outstanding skills in midfield and defense blossomed as she played for Saint Joseph’s College in northern Indiana where she became an integral part of their program. After college, Sara knew she wanted to share her passion with other players. |
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* Collegiate Player |
Jason Elmy
05 Boys Pinckney
Phone: 810-599-3912
Email: elmyj@dexterschools.org
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Jason Elmy is a former Michigan ODP player whose talents earned him a leading role at Eastern Michigan University where he received many team and league honors. After college, he became a head coach for a local high school boys varsity and junior varsity teams. Jason enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for soccer with his players. He is married and has two sons who play for the club. |
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USSF National A
NSCAA Premier
* National Team Player
* ODP Coach |
Roberto Garcia
04 Girls Pinckney Blue, 03 Girls Elite, 04 Girls Br Grey
Program Director, Coaches Education Coordinator
Phone: 810-599-6977
Email: rxgarcia10@gmail.com
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Roberto’s experience in and around soccer is outstanding. As a player, he has experienced soccer in several different countries most notably for the Puerto Rico National Team. As a coach, Roberto currently works with the ODP Region II staff, and is the Assistant coach at Madonna University. He holds a USSF A license, US Youth License, and an NSCAA Premier Diploma. More importantly his passion for soccer is infectious. |
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* Collegiate player
* ODP Coach
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Hal Howell
Phone: 734-223-9451
Email: hal.howell@gmail.com
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Hal grew up in Brighton and was a Michigan ODP player. He played varsity soccer for Brighton High School and was named 1st team All State. From there he went on to play 4 years of varsity soccer at Michigan State before playing for Mid-Michigan Bucks and Lansing Automotives. Hal has over 15 years of experience coaching, including ODP in Ohio. He brings his high energy and enjoys watching the players develop. Hal and his wife, Shawn, have 2 children and live in Brighton. |
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USSF National D |
Mark Howell
98 Girls Blue
Phone: 815-530-4702
Email: savegoal14@hotmail.com
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Although Mark Howell is relatively new to club soccer, he has spent many hours contributing to Livingston County soccer. Over the last 8 years, Mark has been a huge factor in the success experienced by the Brighton High School boys program. Through the years, he has coached all levels including being the head goal keeping coach. Mark recently bought a house in Brighton. |
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USSF National D
* Collegiate Player
* ODP Coach |
Mike Howell
00 Boys Elite, 97 Girls Blue, 98 Boys Elite
Phone: 810-299-1855
Email: michael@technology-connection.com
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Mike Howell comes with a long past in Brighton soccer. His father was instrumental in the formation and growth of the Brighton Soccer Club in the late 80s and early 90s. Mike started coaching about a decade ago and now has been joined by his two brothers, Mitch and Mark. Mike plays regularly and recently bought a house in Howell, MI. |
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MSYSA E
* Collegiate Player |
Mitch Howell
99 Boys Blue, 98 Boys Blue
Phone: 517-376-2999
Email: mitch.alliancefc@gmail.com
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Mitch Howell started his youth soccer career in Livingston County only to watch it explode. He eventually won 2 national championships with Vardar and became a collegiate player at Schoolcraft College. Mitch quickly became Brighton Soccer Clubs brightest young coach and took over the reins of the Goal Keeper Director. He works extremely hard to instill a sense of work ethic with all youth players. |
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USSF B
* Professional Player
ODP Coach
* Professional Coach
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Matt Johnson
96 Boys Elite, 97 Boys Elite
Phone: 734-787-9893
Email: soccermathius@gmail.com
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Matt’s path to Michigan soccer is long and hard. As he grew up, his youth soccer career was extremely successful in Minnesota. Upon graduation of high school, Matt embarked on a four year career at Wisconsin Green-Bay. After a flourishing college outing, Matt ended up traveling though the professional ranks. His professional stint ended with the Detroit Ignition as the head coach. Matt Currently coaches the Marygrove men’s program while being married to Katie. They recently gave birth to their first son. |
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USSF State D
MAFC President |
Arnold Kromberg
02 Girls Grey, 01 Girls Grey
Phone: 810-923-7850
Email: akcj.kromberg@gmail.com
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Arnold’s skills as a coach and facilitator of soccer are unmatched. Over the years, Arnold has served as a coach, vice president and the president of the Howell Revolution. His charisma and detail to the game are unmatched. He has two children in the club and is married to Chris living in Howell, MI with at least two horses. |
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MSYSA E
* Collegiate Player |
Katie Lozar
04 Girls Br Blue
Phone: 216-536-9641
Email: klozar@emich.edu
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Katie Lozar is a staple in women’s soccer. Katie grew up playing for one of the best clubs in northern Ohio. With the Internationals, Katie excelled earning a scholarship to Eastern Michigan University. She quickly became a huge part of EMU’s central midfield and held that spot until her graduation. In her spare time Katie spends time staying in shape.
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USSF National A
* Professional Player
* Collegiate Player
EMU Asst Coach
* ODP Coach |
Joe Malachino
01 B Blue
Phone: 248-767-4558
Email: jmalachi@emich.edu
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Joe Malachino comes from a long soccer history. Joe grew up in Texas ending up playing for Texas Christian University. After Joe’s college career, he played professionally both indoor and outdoor. After his professional career, he quickly became part of Eastern Michigan’s Staff. Joe is now Scott Hall’s right hand man helping with game preparation, recruiting, and training sessions for the division 1 program. Joe has 3 kids and is married to Miriam. |
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USSF D
* Collegiate Player
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Joe Miller
05 Girls Brighton
Phone: 317-250-1914
Email: joseph.miller@us.bosch.com
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Joe grew up playing soccer in the Philippines. He played for couple of years at USC. Joe decided to begin his coaching career when his son took an interest in the sport as well. He has been coaching for over a decade now and is proud to have a daughter that is still in the club. Joe completely loves the game and thinks it is a beautiful sport that can also teach powerful life lessons. |
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USSF D
* Collegiate Player |
Becca Mudri
00 Girls Grey
Phone: 517-304-6518
Email: mudrireb@aquinas.edu
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Becca established the playing level in Fowlerville soccer. Her mother is a coaching icon within the Fowlerville coaching ranks. Becca has become the best young coach in the club in a very short manner. Becca played collegiate soccer at Aquinas and is transferring her understanding to the youth within the Alliance. |
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USSF D |
Sheila Mudri
00 Girls
Phone: 517-304-9944
Email: mudri@netzero.net
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Sheila has been coaching all levels since 1983. She has been a staple in Fowlerville soccer while incorporating her skills throughout Livingston County. She thrives to help players figure out the game and help provide an atmosphere that will enable them to play at a higher level. She spends time playing on various teams when not coaching. |
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USSF D
* Collegiate Player
* ODP Coach |
Kevin Oakley
00 Girls Elite, 99 Girls Elite, 98 Girls Elite, 05 Girls Br Grey
Director of Coaching - Girls
Phone: 248-249-0191
Email: koakley@chemstation.net
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Kevin knows how to win as a player and is translating that to players within the Michigan Alliance. As a player, Kevin won a State Championship as a Vardar player and as a Brother Rice team member. He was a member of the 2000 high school “Dream Team”. As a coach, Kevin has flourished. Teaching youth players through playing experience and enthusiasm has become a successful passion of his. |
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Tony Peruzzi
03 Boys Brighton Grey, 05 Boys Brighton
Phone: 517-672-0773
Email: peruzzi36@yahoo.com
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Bio forthcoming |
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UEFA A
Collegiate Coach |
Saimir Rada
99 Boys
Phone: 810-623-2000
Email: saimirrada@gmail.com
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Saimir is the second longest tenured coach in the club. His passion and organizational skills on the field are second to none. Rada brings European experience to the team having previously played and coached professionally and semi-professionaly in Albania and Italy. Along with Rada's work with the Alliance he an assistant coach at Spring Arbor. Rada holds the UEFA 'A' License. |
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MSYSA E |
Brian Raftery
99 Girls Grey
Phone: 517-402-4955
Email: brian.raftery@farmington.k12.mi.us
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Brian’s playing career is long and storied. As a coach, Brian recently started coaching with the Revolution and has become one a quick study of the game. Brian’s long playing career helps him to relate to the players combined with his charisma. Brian has two children in the club while married to Meagan. |
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MSYSA E |
Andy Savela
02 Boys Elite/Blue/Grey, 02 Girls Blue
Phone: 810-844-6386
Email: savela11@gmail.com
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Andy is an up and coming coach within the Michigan Alliance. Over his short run as a club coach he has proven that he has a keen understanding of the game. Over his youth career, he was a member of Brighton High School varsity, Fairmont High School, and Ohio ODP. Andy spends a vast amount of time doing personal and small group training for Alliance players. |
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MSYSA E
* Collegiate Player |
Joe Sebestyen
04 Boys Blue
Phone: 734-516-7369
Email: joe_sebestyen@yahoo.com
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Joe comes from a traditional soccer background. As a young player, Joe grew up in the Canton area playing for clubs within Canton and Livonia. In high school, Joe was a leader on the Catholic Central High School playing varsity for 3 years. From CC, he went on to have a successful collegiate career at Western Michigan being named the captain his senior year. As a coach, he has spent time at the college, high School, and club level. Joe is married to Jennifer and they have two sons that play in the club and a daughter. |
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USSF National A
NSCAA National GK
* Collegiate Coach
* Collegiate Player
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Jason Smith
Phone: 517-740-4663
Email: jsmith4@marygrove.edu
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Growing up, Jason was a part of the 3 time state champion, 2 time regional champion Michigan Wolves club soccer program where he finished 3rd at nationals. He went onto have a successful collegiate career at Spring Arbor University. Before coming to MAFC, Jason was the Head Men's Coach at Jackson Community College. He current lives in Chelsea with his wife, Samantha. They enjoy traveling in their free time.
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NSCAA Premier
English FA Badges
Nat'l Youth License
USSF D
* Professional player
ODP Staff |
Matt Smith
01 Boys Elite, 03 Boys Elite, 03 Boys Pinckney Blue
Phone: 734-717-7224
Email: ekakeson3@aol.com
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As a youth, Matt played for Notts County Center of Excellence before playing professionally for AFC Bournemouth in England. He then coached at Notts County for Boys & Girls, as well as High Pavement College Boys in Nottingham, England. Matt advanced his coaching career in the United States as a former Academy Director for Canton Soccer Club, Michigan Nationals U13 Boys coach along with different soccer companies and camps around the state. Matt continues to work with ODP staff, multiple Michigan Club Football club teams along with his Michigan Alliance teams. Matt enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with his players. Matt is married to Erin and they have a young son.
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MSYSA E
* Collegiate Player |
Courtney Stewart
99 Girls Blue
Phone: 810-923-9187
Email: Courtney.e.stewart@gmail.com
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Fresh off her playing career, Courtney brings the collegiate player’s view of the game to our youth players. Courtney’s youth playing career started and ended with the Brighton Soccer Club. She earned a spot on Grand Valley’s women’s soccer program playing all four years. She is currently a private school teacher and growing coach within the Michigan Alliance. |
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USSF C
* Collegiate Player
BHS Asst Coach |
Jeff Vandemergel
01 Girls Grey, 05 G Br Blue
Phone: 517-202-1620
Email: amynjeffv@sbcglobal.net
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Jeff Vandemergel is a Brighton soccer legend. As a member of BHS varsity, Jeff was a prolific scorer and showed leadership skills second to none. As a coach, Jeff has been instrumental in Brighton’s girls program. Deepak Shiverman and Jeff have been extremely successful at producing teams that continually compete at the state level. Jeff has four girls that all play soccer and is married to Amy.
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USSF D |
Dane Zemper
00 Girls Blue
Phone: 248-225-5052
Email: zempers@trinity-health.org
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Dane picked up the game late although shows more passion than most. As a young adult, Dane’s inspiration grew as he visited Europe some time ago. Upon his return, he began investing himself in the game and has become a very solid player. Dane started his coaching career with the Revolution while raising his 3 kids in the game. He is married to Alicia while spending time on the lake skiing and wakeboarding. |
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Credentials:
MAFC - Michigan Alliance Football Club
MSYSA - Michigan State Youth Soccer Association
NSCAA - National Soccer Coaches Association of America
ODP - Olympic Development Program
UEFA - Union of European Football Association
USSF - U.S. Soccer Foundation
* - Former Player or Coaching Position
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