Meet the Coaches!

USSF A license candidate- Provisional License given 2022
USSF B License

Playing Career:
Ryan's soccer journey commenced in Michigan's Select/Travel Programs at the age of 3. Upon relocating to South Carolina in 1989, he found mentorship under Ralph Lundy. Under Lundy's guidance, Ryan's skills flourished, particularly during his high school tenure which propelled he and his team to the State Semi-Finals. His standout performance earned him a college scholarship at Andrew College, Ryan showcased his talent on a national stage. His journey continued at Brewton-Parker College, where he seamlessly transitioned into a dual role as a Player/Coach, illustrating his dedication to both playing and mentoring.

Coaching Career:
Ryan's coaching journey reflects his deep commitment to both personal development and the advancement of youth soccer. Working on his USSF A License, he has accumulated over 14 years of experience in various coaching capacities. Beginning his youth coaching career in 2007, Ryan laid the groundwork for his coaching philosophy and techniques. Simultaneously, he served as an assistant coach at Reinhardt College, where he gained valuable collegiate coaching experience. His coaching acumen expanded further to include Speed and Agility trainer and later assumed pivotal roles as a Technical Officer, Academy Director, and Director of Coaching.

Ryan's commitment to continuous improvement is underscored by his pursuit of certifications such as the Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma 1 and Youth Diploma 2. These certifications demonstrate his dedication to staying abreast of the latest coaching methodologies and best practices, ensuring that he remains at the forefront of youth soccer development.

Now serving as the Select and SAPL Programs Director at UFA Norcross, Ryan continues to make a significant impact on youth soccer. His diverse experiences, coupled with his relentless pursuit of excellence, make him an invaluable asset to the soccer community, shaping the future of the sport one player at a time.

Playing History:

I’ve been playing soccer since I was 5 years old. My first official club soccer team was Chilpo FC, an all boys soccer program. I then joined the U15 girls ECNL team at Georgia Soccer Academy. I continued my club soccer journey with GSA all through high school. In 2018, I helped lead our varsity team at Parkview High School win a state championship. Following high school, I attended Georgia Gwinnett College on a soccer scholarship.

Coaching History:

During my time at Georgia Gwinnett College, I began my coaching career at Toca, assisting in the mini kickers program. Upon graduating from college, I became a teacher at Duluth High School, where I also assist the women’s varsity soccer program. Soccer has been such an important part of my life and I’m excited to be able to share my experience and knowledge with the kids.

Playing History:

Kenneth Mena began playing in Queens New York City. Played in top NYC clubs like Albertson, Brooklyn Knights and Hota. Kenneth Mena played in ODP for 6 straight years. Mena was ranked #1 in Queens and #7 in stats his senior year of high school. Mena went on to play at Tyler Jr College where he helped serve the schools 1st National Championship 2009. Mena served as captain and was 1st Team All American. Mena also played at Clayton State University as well as Silverbacks Reserves team for Ricardo Montoya.

Coaching History:

Mena was the head coach at Concorde Central for 3 different teams. He coached P1 and P2 boys and girls teams. Mena was also at Atlanta Fire United where he also had multiple teams. Mena won the AFU tournament with his u16 team and also won SSA Tournament with his 2011 team.

Bio Coming Soon

Mark is a native of South Africa and has been living in Atlanta since 1994. He has been a very successful coach and coached teams at State, Regional and National levels. Mark is a dedicated coach who gives great attention to technical training. Mark played college soccer for Life University and graduated in 1999 with a BS in Nutrition.

He is married to wife Partricia and they have a daughter Kalvine.