Soccer Field Academy · Coaching Staff
The people who will coach your player.
Licensed, experienced and on the field each week. Meet the staff behind the sessions: what they’ve done and the qualifications they bring.
Leading the academy
Built by a coach who’s developed pro players.
Owner/Operator
James Field
A former Columbus Crew academy coach with 25 years in the game, James has worked closely with players who went on to MLS and English football, including Sean Zawadzki, Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough), Emeka Eneli, Keegan Hughes, Isaiah Parente and Dylan Kropp. He designs the curriculum every SFA session runs on.
- UEFA & U.S. Soccer “A” License
- U.S. Soccer Academy Coach of the Year 2016
The coaching staff
Specialists for every stage.
From first touches to college pathways, from goalkeepers to strength and speed, each coach brings a specialty of their own.
Coach levels. Every coach teaches the same SFA curriculum. A coach’s level reflects their experience on the field, their licenses and how often families come back to train with them, and coaches move up as they earn it.
SFA Coaching Certification. In-house training in the SFA curriculum, sharpened every year when our whole staff travels to Southampton FC to learn alongside their academy coaches. Whoever runs the session, your player gets the same method.
Academy Coach
Etzael Gonzalez
Came through the Dallas Texans Development Academy and Hardin-Simmons, and now coaches in an MLS academy. Named to United Soccer Coaches’ 30 Under 30.
- UEFA “B” License
- Master’s, Sports Management
- U.S. Soccer “A” Candidate
- MLS Academy Assistant Coach
Development Coach
Kevin Helt
Develops the complete player: sharp on the ball, quick off the mark and strong in the challenge. Coerver-trained, with a degree in Exercise Science.
- U.S. Soccer “D” License
- Master’s, Sports Management
- SFA Coaching Certification
Development Coach
Ezra DeZurik
A ball-mastery specialist: close control, clean receiving and quick decisions in tight spaces.
- SFA Coaching Certification
- Former OCU Student-Athlete
Development Coach
Brayden Durbin
Coaches the way he played: technically clean, high-tempo and competitive from the first drill to the last.
- SFA Coaching Certification
- Ohio State D1 Captain
- Former Crew Academy Player
Development Coach
Steve Lesmes
Steve’s players keep the ball: clean technique, patient possession and the confidence to want it under pressure. It all starts with knowing each one personally.
- U.S. Soccer “C” License
- NSCAA National Advanced Diploma
- SFA Coaching Certification
Development Coach
Jon Barleycorn
More than 20 years coaching across Crew Juniors, Crew Pre-Academy, Sporting Columbus and high school programs. Played college soccer at Anderson University.
- U.S. Soccer National “D” License
- SFA Coaching Certification
Development Coach
Goalkeeper Coach
Aiden Green
From Bradford, England, with goalkeeper coaching experience across the UK, Europe and the US. Builds confident, technically sharp keepers who command their box.
- The FA (England) C License
- Goalkeeping Diploma
- BSc Sports Development & Coaching
- SFA Coaching Certification
Sports Performance & Injury Prevention
Dr. Cory Schierberl
Leads SFA’s strength and speed programming, building the physical base players need to train harder and stay on the field.
- CSCS · Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
- SFA Coaching Certification
Associate Coach
Asjah Soza
Coaches U4 through U18 with energy and patience, meeting each player where they are.
- U.S. Soccer “D” License
- SFA Coaching Certification
Grind Now, Shine Later.
See the coaching for yourself.
Book a free Tech Assessment with our staff and we’ll show you where your player is today and the plan to move them forward.
