At USL, we are committed to building the game to mirror the eclectic diversity of our communities. The USL Forward program aims to create opportunities for qualified, high potential candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to gain essential experience that will allow for them to transition into technical staff roles. In collaboration with our professional clubs, this immersive experience provides a select group of coaches - who we call Resident Coaches - with the opportunity to work under the mentorship of a head coach during a 2-4 week intensive preseason experience. Created as more than just observation, coaches will establish and work through IDPs to address development in critical areas of need, while gaining invaluable experience in a professional soccer environment.
Following the immersive preseason residency, Resident Coaches commit to attending monthly professional development calls directed by USL staff along with a capstone visit to USL headquarters at a date TBD. The calls are supplemented with a case-based curriculum that concludes with the formulation and presentation of a capstone project.
To pay it forward, Resident Coaches are expected to serve as mentors to the next cohort of coaches in the Pro Preseason Residency program.
2-4 Week Immersive Residency
Season-Long Career Sponsorship – Monthly Calls
3 Day Visit to USL HQ
1-Year Commitment to Post Program Mentorship of Subsequent Cohort
USSF B or UEFA B License or above.
Must complete and be up to date on phases 1 & 2 of the U.S. Soccer Safe Soccer clearance https://learning.ussoccer.com/safe-soccer. If accepted into the program, participants will be required to complete and pass a background check.
Demonstrated record of success in player development, passion for player development, and high potential for success at the professional level.
Home Grown Resident Coach,
Greenville Triumph
"The USL Forward program allowed me to have the opportunity to be immersed in the pro soccer environment in the men’s game and become more educated operationally in all facets of training and managing a pro team. The women’s game is growing at a fast pace and investment in the game is quickly evolving; the USL Forward program allows candidates to be on the fore front of a pro organization by providing opportunities to aspiring pro coaches to have access to USL resources that allow candidates to be more established, educated and knowledgeable on and off the field within a professional club environment."
Julie Carlson currently serves as the head coach and technical director of Greenville Liberty SC in the USL W League and holds a USSF A License and a United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma. Carlson’s extensive coaching career has featured time in coaching and operation positions at Virginia Military Institute (NCAA Division I), Jacksonville State University (NCAA Division I), the Clemson Anderson Soccer Alliance (youth), Anderson University (NCAA Division II) and Clemson University (NCAA Division I). Following a collegiate playing career at Wright State University, Carlson received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from WSU in 1996 before obtaining a Master of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2008. Additionally, Carlson currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in Athletic Leadership at Clemson University.
Read more
Traveling Resident,
Sacramento Republic FC
"A huge thanks to USL and the Sacramento Republic team for giving me the opportunity to be part of the first year of USL Forward. This program has helped me develop as a coach and has improved my confidence to continue developing on this path. I am excited for the future ahead."
Lekeisha “Kei” Gumbs, a native of Leicester, England, is the head coach of the USL W League’s Chicago City SC. Gumbs – who guided Chicago to the 2023 USL W League Playoffs in her first season as head coach – holds a UEFA B License and is currently a UEFA A License candidate. The Leicester native’s decades-long playing career included a lengthy stint at Leicester City FC Women in the top-flight English Women’s Super League before she transitioned to coaching in 2015. Gumbs coached at nearly every level of LCFC Women and was named head coach of the Foxes’ reserve team in 2021.
Read more
Homegrown Resident,
Richmond Kickers
“Transformative – that’s the word that comes to mind when I think of the USL PPR program. I am truly in awe of what the USL leadership have achieved in elevating us not only as coaching professionals but as humans. This program has helped me realize my potential and provided me with the tools to become a head manager capable of making a real impact in players’ lives.”
Lauryn Hutchinson, a retired National Team player for the Trinidad & Tobago Senior team, boasts an impressive twelve-year career representing her country. With notable participation in two Pan American Olympic Games, three CONCACAF World Cup Qualifications, and two Olympic qualifications. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Lauryn holds a Master's degree in Sports Leadership and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She has fortified her expertise with a UEFA B License, showcasing her commitment to excellence both on and off the field. As the Owner and Technical Director of UNKNWN Athlete in Richmond, Virginia, Lauryn is dedicated to creating a professional and personable environment for high school, college, and pro soccer athletes. Her passion lies in helping individuals redefine their life and soccer potential. Her goal is to inspire athletes to consistently outwork their past selves, ultimately maximizing their true potential.
Read more
Traveling Resident,
Forward Madison
“I am forever grateful to Chris Busey, the USL, and Forward Madison FC for the support during the PPR program. The insights gained during my time have helped me grow as a person and a coach. Matt and his staff opened up in all aspects with sharing personal stories, professional content, and giving advice. I feel like I can reach out to those involved at any time and they will support me to the best of their ability.”
Troy McKerrell was recently appointed as head coach of the Des Moines Menace in USL League Two. McKerrell, a Bute, Scotland native, has acquired a UEFA A License, UEFA B License and UEFA Elite Youth A Diploma across his nearly 10-year coaching career spanning Rockhurst University (NCAA Division II), FC Kansas City (NWSL), the Ontario Fury (MASL) and Chicago City SC (USL League Two). Prior to moving to his role as a coach, McKerrell enjoyed an eight-year playing career that included stops at Greenock Morton FC (Scottish Championship), Benedictine College (NAIA), the Kansas City Comets (MASL) and the Ontario Fury. Additionally, McKerrell currently serves as an ambassador for United Soccer Coaches and a consultant for United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Soccer. McKerrell received his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Sports Science from Benedictine College in 2013 before receiving his Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Organizational Development from Avila University in 2018.
Read more
Pro-to-Pro Resident
Oakland Roots
“My USL Forward residency experience was very enlightening. I got to see what goes into preparing training sessions, games, and doing so across the season. It allowed me to detail the focus on the training sessions to achieve what I want to see on the field and learn ways to not only better communicate it to players, but also implement it. It was an experience worth repeating yearly to ease the transition to coaching.”
Joseph Nane, a native of Yaoundé, Cameroon, recently completed his 14th year as a professional player with Oakland Roots SC in the USL Championship. Nane left Cameroon in 2006 to play collegiately at Old Dominion University (NCAA Division I). While at ODU, the defensive midfielder was named Second Team United Soccer Coaches All-American in 2009, First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in 2009, Second Team All-CAA in 2008, while also playing for the Virginia Beach Piranhas in USL League Two. Nane was drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC and went on to win the Canadian Championship with TFC that same year. After his time in Toronto, Nane’s professional career included time domestically with the Colorado Rapids (MLS), New York Cosmos (NASL), San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) and Oakland Roots SC, and internationally in Kazakhstan and Cyprus. Nane earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from ODU in 2009.
Read more
The USL Forward Pro Preseason Residency supports three residency levels to expand opportunities and provide a rich, collaborative experience for each cohort.
Traveling Resident Coach
The traveling resident is a coach who has experience with a pre-professional club currently not associated with a professional club (Academy, W League, League Two, Reserve Team, etc.). The traveling resident will be assigned to a USL professional club in another market for their pro preseason residency immersive experience.
Homegrown Resident Coach
The Homegrown Resident is a coach who has experience with a professional club but might currently operate in a developmental role with high potential to serve on the 1st team technical staff (e.g., current academy or League Two coach who aspires to elevate into a 1st team role).
Pro-to-Pro Resident Coach
The Pro-to-Pro Resident Coach is a coach who is transitioning from a player role into a developmental coaching role within the club. This coach has high potential to serve on the 1st team technical staff.
Candidates successfully selected for the Pro Preseason Residency Program are expected to fulfill the following objectives:
Support the execution of preseason goals identified by the head coach and technical staff.
Develop an understanding of periodization, session planning, roster development, and application of game models in a professional preseason environment.
Conduct film analysis of training sessions, preseason scrimmages, and matches and deliver reports to the technical staff.
Observe, monitor, and evaluate player performance in preseason training sessions and matches.
Demonstrate professional competencies such as promptness, collaboration, and role modeling during their immersive preseason experience.
Self-evaluate professional growth on a monthly/quarterly basis through reflection on critical areas as identified via coach IDP.
Develop leadership and technical capabilities through monthly calls organized by USL HQ staff.
The USL Pro Preseason Residency Program aims to reduce barriers of entry into the professional coaching domain. USL and participating member clubs make every effort to subsidize costs associated with travel and lodging, especially for Traveling Resident Coaches who would otherwise incur larger expenses associated with out of market travel. Clubs typically cover in-market expenses associated with preseason match travel, club gear, and club meals.
Technical
Experience with session planning and leading a training session at a high level.
Experience with film analysis related to the execution of player actions, game model, and principles specific to a club’s philosophy. Experience with performance analysis a plus.
Ability to deliver coaching points in a coherent and constructive manner.
Capability to make on the fly adjustments in a training or match day environment.
Understand the demands associated with pre and post-match day training environments.
Attributes
Demonstrate a positive attitude, is highly motivated, and has a passion for player development.
Willingness to both work collaborative and independently.
Adapt to challenging environments.
Can accept and provide constructive feedback.
Operates with a growth mindset.
An inquisitive, lifelong learner.
Club demonstrates a commitment to creating opportunities for candidates from underserved backgrounds and building a club staff that reflects their community.
Club staff and leadership agree to support Resident Coaches in the IDP process and include Resident Coaches in preseason activities as a member of the staff.
Club has a history of OR is working to enhance their recruitment and succession planning processes for technical staff roles.
Club is in good standing with the league and will assist with marketing the program.
Club agrees to include the Resident Coach in all team meals, events, and preseason travel during their in-market experience.
Club agrees to support either airfare or lodging costs associated with the Resident Coach’s stay in-market for Traveling Resident Coaches.
**Applications currently closed. Look out for more info!**
Please complete the application and upload the following documents as PDFs saved with the subject (First Name Last Name_Document Type; e.g., Jane Doe_Coaching Philosophy).
A Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Coaching Philosophy (no more than 2 double-spaced pages) that addresses the following topics including but not limited to:
Leadership and managing the environment
Coaching the game and training environment
Leading players and holistic player development
Building a positive and inclusive team culture
Preferred systems of play, tactical approaches, and
Statement of interest (no more than 2 double-spaced pages) that addresses the following topics including but not limited to:
Leadership skills you want to gain from participating in the PPR
Technical development you want to gain from participating in the PPR
How the PPR will help you overcome challenges you may have experienced while navigating the coaching pathway
Your career goals including timeline for entering the professional coaching environment
Your commitment to holistic player development including concrete examples
Your commitment to driving diversity, equity, and inclusion as a professional coach including actionable examples
Two letters of recommendation/nomination that speak to your character, leadership, and potential to coach at a high level. To protect the integrity of the process, letters should be sent by the writer to christopher.busey@uslsoccer.com. Letters should come from the following:
Current supervisor for Traveling Resident Coaches. For Homegrown Resident and Pro-to-Pro Resident Coaches, a letter of support must come directly from a head coach, sporting director, technical director, or club President.
Former or current coach, player, community organization, or individual who can speak to your coaching and leadership capabilities.
Finalists will participate in an interview with USL HQ Staff.
Tip: As you put together your dossier, please consult the Resident Coach Profile and USL Forward PPR Core Competencies as a guiding framework.
Applications Currently Closed