Making The Play #21: Frank Tschan, Dir. of Coaching, US Soccer

Before coming to U.S. Soccer in 2013, Frank was living and working in Germany as the Director of Sports and Club Manager for the International School of Dusseldorf for 15 years. Frank also served as the ODP Director of Coaching Education for Europe, the NSCAA Regional Director for Europe, and worked closely with the DFB’s coaching education department on a variety of programs and initiatives. Frank grew up in New York, where he learned to play the game and subsequently coached at the local club, ODP and collegiate levels prior to relocating to Europe.Originally founded in 1913 as the United States Football Association, U.S. Soccer was one of the world’s first organizations to be affiliated with FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, and has grown into one of the sport’s organizational leaders, integrating player participation and player development into arguably the world’s most successful top-to-bottom National Team program. From a coaching standpoint in the United States, more classes are continually being offered around the country, and the number of licensed, well-educated trainers and managers is larger than ever. The education level among coaches has been tailored to match the expanding pool of talent in the U.S.In this episode, you’ll hear…•Player development philosophy: what’s changing, what will keep its emphasis, and what benefits can players, coaches and parents expect to see.•Coaching education: US Soccer’s framework, and the importance of coaching education for any sport.•Grassroots soccer: coach licensing pathway, player development philosophy and specific projects relative to further advancing the game in the United States•Parent engagement: what we need more of, from all parties involved, and ways to achieve that.