At FC Portland, coaching is the heart of our success. The history our coaches have with our club, their own competitive playing experience, and their style of teaching and philosophy are the reasons for our long history of strong player development and achievement.
Several of our coaches have been here since Clive Charles started the club in 1987. Others are loyal alumni of the program, once playing for FC Portland themselves. Many played collegiately, professionally, and for their national teams.
Our coaches at FC Portland have a wealth of experience and have a longevity that is unmatched amongst clubs. Our emphasis and philosophy toward player development is deeply engrained in our coaches.
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Leonard Griffin
Director of Coaching - Boys
Coaching License
USSF A License
Current Coaching
FC Portland, Director of Coaching
Univerity of Portland, Men's Assitant Coach
Previous Coaching
College-
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Berkeley
Saint Mary's College
Cal State San Bernardino
Youth-
Pacific Coast Soccer Club
Beach FC
Bridlemile
Playing Experience
University of California, Los Angeles 00-03
Chicago Fire- 04-06
Portland Timbers-07-08
Los Angeles Galaxy-08-09
Austin Aztex-10
LA Blues-11
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Alex Ponce
Coach
Coaching License
USSF F License
Current
FC Portland, 01 and 99 Boys
Linfield University, Men's Associate Head Coach
Previous
Hood River Dynamos
Putnam High School, Girls Varsity Assitant Coach
Playing Experience
Hood River Valley High School
FC Portland
Clark College
Concordia University
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Andrew Duvall
Age Group Coordinator
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
USSF B License
USSF National Youth License
FC Portland Coach Since 2014
CURRENT:
Concordia University Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach (NCAA Division II) – 2011-Present
PREVIOUS:
USYSA Region IV ODP Staff Coach – 2009-2011
New Mexico State Youth Soccer ODP Director – 2009-2011
New Mexico State Youth Soccer ODP Head Coach – 2008-2011
Head Coach FC Portland 99 Boys State Finalist – 2015
Head Coach FC Portland 99 Boys State Semifinalist – 2016
Club Soccer Head Coach and DOC with various clubs in Washington State and New Mexico – 2005-2008
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Concordia University Men’s Soccer Player – 1999-2002
Concordia University Men’s Soccer Captain – 2002
Cascade Collegiate Conference Champion – 1999, 2000, 2002
NAIA National Tournament Sweet 16 – 1999
NAIA West Regional Finalist – 2000
NAIA West Regional Semifinalist – 2002
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Ben Durano
Age Group Coordinator
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
USSF National D License
NSCAA High School Diploma
FC Portland Coach Since 2015
CURRENT:
2004 Girls at FC Portland
Sunset HS girls 2005-Current
Sunset State Finalists, 2016
PREVIOUS:
ODP- 91B, 92B, 97G, 98G
Glencoe HS girls 2000-2004
Westside Timbers 1998-2014
Gunners U12B 2001 State Champions
Galaxy U18 2007 State Finalists
2008 State Champions
Fury U17G & U18G 2011/2012 State Champions
Usonians U13G 2010 State Champions, Regional Semi-Finalists
Copa U14G 2013 State Champions, Regional Semi-Finalists
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 90-91
Sembach FC, Germany 86-89
Hillsboro HS, Or. '83
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Ben Gadawski
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:FC Portland Coach Since 2012
CURRENT:
Sunset High School Boys Coach 2013-CurrentPLAYING EXPERIENCE:Pacific UniversityFC Portland Since U10Sunset High School
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Bill Irwin
Goalkeeper Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE
USSF “A” License
USSF Coaching Schools Instructor
FC Portland Coach Since 1986
CURRENT
FC Portland Academy youth coach, head coach and goalkeeping coach (1986-2010, 2016-Current)
PREVIOUS
University of Portland; Head Coach Men’s Soccer Team (2003-2015)
University of Portland Director of Soccer; Head Coach Men’s Team, Assistant Coach and Goalkeeping Coach Women’s team (2003-2013)
13 NCAA berths, 1 National Championship
University of Portland Assistant Coach (1986-2003)
20 NCAA berths, 1 National Championship
US U-23 Women’s Team Head Coach (2007- 2011)
Nordic Cup Winners (2007, 2008)
USSF (United States Soccer Federation) National Team Goalkeeping Coach
US Men’s Olympic Team (2002, 2003)
U-18 Men (2003)
U-20 Men (2000, 2001); U-20 World Cup finals Argentina (2001)
U-16 Men (1998)
U-23 Men (1997)
US Men’s National Team (1997)
U-17 Men’s National Team (1997)
US Women’s National Team (2005, 2006)
U-20 Women (1996-2007)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Northern Ireland Youth Team (1967-1969)
Northern Ireland Amateur Team (1970)
Bangor FC, Irish League, Bangor N. Ireland (1966-1970)
Cardiff City FC, English 2nd and 3rd Division (1970-1978)
Washington Diplomats, NASL (North American Soccer League) (1978-1981)
Dallas Tornado, NASL (1981-1982)
Portland Timbers, NASL (1982)
San Jose Earthquakes, NASL and MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) (1982-1984)
Minnesota Strikers, MISL (1985-1986)
Wichita Wings, MISL (1986)
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Pablo Dipascuale
Coach
COACHING LICENSE
USSF National "D" License
CURRENT COACHING
03 Boy's Team Coach
Men's Head Coach, Lincoln High School
PREVIOUS COACHING
Men's Varsity Assistant Coach, Lincoln High School
FC Portland Coach 2011-Current
PLAYING CAREER
UPFC
Lakerige High School/Westview High School
Westside Metros
FC Portland Academy
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Michelle Cruz
Coach
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Reed McKenna
Coach
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Noah Gaines
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE
USSF "F" Coaching License
CURRENT
Youth Academy and 02 Boys
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
UC IRVINE
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Scout Libke
Coach
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Nick Irwin
Coach
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Brad Pollard
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
USSF D License
NSCAA Advanced National, NSCAA Goalkeeping I and II Licenses
FC Portland Coach Since 2014
CURRENT:
U16 Girls Team Coach
PREVIOUS:
Boys and Girls Head Soccer Coach: James Irwin Charter High School, Colorado Springs, Co. 2004-2006
Sherwood High School JV Coach 2007
Valley Catholic Boys Head soccer coach 2008-2011
Pikes Peak Rush 2003-2005
Corinthians Soccer Club (Colorado Springs, Co) 2006-2006
Westside Timbers SC 2007-2013
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Goalkeeper/Center at Oklahoma Christian University 1998
Center Back/Winger at Shasta Community College 2000
Washington County Soccer Club, Bartlesville, OK
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Jason Hall
Coach
COACHING LICENSE
USSF "D" License
CURRENT
Team Coach, 06 Boys
PREVIOUS
Riverdale High School, Mens Varsity Head Coach
PLAYING CAREER
US National Futsal Team
Military All Armed Forces Team
El Paso Patriots (A-Leauge)
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Jenny Lawrence
Coach
Coaching Experience:
NSCAA National Diploma
Sacramento State Womens Soccer, GK Coach
Christian Brothers High School Girls Varsity
Elk Grove United Soccer Club, GK Coach
Art of Goalkeeper Training/Education
Current:
Portland State Womens Soccer, GK Coach
FC Portland, GK Coach, ACG U17/U18G
Playing Experience:
Northern California, Carlmont High School
Sacramento State Univeristy
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Brian Gant
Assistant Coach
Canadian National Team Member
Played for the Vancouver Whitecaps, NASL
Played for the Portland Timbers, NASL
New Westminster Blues
Canadian Amateur Championship
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby FC
Catlin Gabel HS Coach, 13 State Championships
FC Portland Coach, 28 Years
ECNL Coach, 2014-Current
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Brittney Elsensohn
Coach
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Carly Bennett
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:USSF "E" LicenseF.C. Portland Academy Coach Since 2015CURRENT:Junior academyU14 (2003) Team CoachU17 (2000) Team CoachDirector of Youth Skills Academy for Portland FutsalAloha High School Girls JV coachPREVIOUS:Westview High School JV2 CoachPLAYING EXPERIENCE:Carmel United Soccer Club (now know as Indiana Fire)ODP Region IIMurray State University
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Chilo Andrade
Coach
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Chuck Bechtol
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
USSF B License
FC Portland Coach Since 2003
CURRENT:
PREVIOUS:
Linfield College, 4 Years
ODP Regional Camp, 2 Years
McMinnville High School, 5 Years
MYSA, 5 Years
FC Portland, 6 State Champions, One National Finalist
PLAYING:
Linfield, 4 Years
Corvallis High School 4 Years
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Dean Miyama
Coach
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Elias Gaynor
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
USSF “F” License
FC Portland Coach Since 2014
CURRENT:
FC Portland Boys ’00 Assistant
FC Portland Youth Academy Assistant
Lincoln High School JV Boys Head Coach
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Concordia University, 2012-16, NCAA II, (team captain 2015-16), GNAC All-League Honorable Mention, GNAC Academic All-Conference
Seattle Sounders U18 Academy, 2010-11
Eastside United FC, 2007-09
Columbia River High School, 2009-12 (team captain Jr., Sr.)
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Foday Kobba
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE
USSF D License
CURRENT
03 and 07 Boys
PREVIOUS
FC Portland Coach Since 2010
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Gonzaga University
Oregon ODP
FC Portland
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Garrett Smith
Head Coach
Collegiate Head Coach, University of Portland
NCAA National Championship 2005
NCAA Coach of the Year
13 Consecutive Playoff Appearances
Assistant Coach, University of Portland, 11 Years
NCAA National Championship 2002
Played for the Portland Pride, CISL
Played for the San Diego Sockers, MISL
Played for the Seattle Storm, APSL
Played for the Portland Timbers, WSL
Played Collegiately at University of Portland
NCAA Semifinalist
Highest Scoring Defender in UP History
USSF “A” License
FC Portland Coach, 31 Years
ECNL Coach, 2014-Current
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Haylee Degrood
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
FC Portland Coach Since 2015
CURRENT:
PREVIOUS:
US Soccer Training Center
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
University of Portland, Center Back/4 Years, 2nd Round NCAA Tournament 2 years, WCC Conference Champions 2013
Riverside Poly High School Varsity 4 Years
Arsenal FC Captain
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Jim Maine
Age Group Coordinator
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
USSF "D" License
FC Portland Coach, Since 2014
CURRENT:
Girls 2000's AGC
-2014 State Champs
Liberty HS Girls Head Coach
PREVIOUS:
Linfield College Mens Lead Assistant, 2 years
George Fox University Lead Assistant, 10 years
Westside Metros Staff Coach, 9 years
-2002 U-15 Boys State Champs / Region IV Semifinalists
Oregon ODP Boys Staff Coach, 2 years
Newberg HS Boys Head Coach, 7 years
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
NAIA Collegiate, 3 years
-3 year Top 10 National Ranking Finish
-1 NAIA National Tournament Appearance
-Member of George Fox University's Hall of Fame
USISL (Unites States Intercontinental Soccer League), 4 years
-All West Coast Team of the Week, 5 times
WISL (World Indoor Soccer League), 1 year
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Josh Durano
Coach
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Kate Wilkins
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
USSF E License
FC Portland Coach Since 2015
CURRENT:
FC Portland 04 Girls - Assistant Coach
PREVIOUS:
Hellgate High School Junior Varsity - 2014
Missoula Strikers Academy - 2014
University of Montana Youth Camps - 2009-2012
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
University of Montana - Missoula
NCAA First Round 2011
Oregon ODP 2006-2007
Marist High School - Eugene, Oregon
Club - FC Willamette - Eugene, Oregon
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Lisa Chambers
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
USSF “A” License

F.C. Portland Academy Coach, Since 2004
CURRENT:
D1, University of Portland Assistant Coach
PREVIOUS:
University of Portland, 10 years
U.S. Soccer Training Center Coordinator
U.S. Soccer U14 National Team Assistant Coach/Scout
ODP Staff and Region Team Assistant Coach
State Champs 3 years in a row
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
U.S. U21 & U23 National Team Member
Played for the LA Sol, WPS
Played for the Seattle Sounders, WPSL
Played at University of Portland
NCAA National Championship 2005
Played for Washington Premier, Formerly the FC Royals
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Abby Faingold
Coach
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Ariel Viera
Coach
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Michael Jamieson
USSDA Head Coach
Coaching License
UEFA B, FA Level 2, and USA Youth License
Current
USSDA Head Coach 2005 Boys
Previous Coaching
Chester City Football Club, England
New Jersey Red Bull, New Jersey/NYC
Lincoln High School - Varsity
Playing Experience
Liverpool Football Club (Youth Academy)
Edge Hill University
Chester City Football Club
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Mike dePinna
Age Group Coordinator
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
USSF B License
FC Portland Coach Since 1988
CURRENT:
US CLUB, PDP, ODP
PREVIOUS:
2014 U13G NPL National Semifinals, 2012 U17G US CLUB NPL Nationals
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Portland Timbers
University of Portland
Blanchet High School and Seattle United
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Mike Joyce
Age Group Coordinator
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Mike Staropoli
Head Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:USSF C LicenseFC Portland Academy Coach Since 2009CURRENT:FC Portland ECNL Coach (3rd year)Westside Christian HS Girls Coach (State finals 2014, Semis 2015)PREVIOUS:U12 State Champions 2012U13 State Champions 2014PLAYING EXPERIENCE:U23 Select - Pacific Coast RegionOregon State University - 4 year starter, All League SelectionSunset High School
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Patti Degerness
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
USSF F License
FC Portland Coach Since 2106
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Clackamas Community College 2007-2009 (NWAC champions 2007), OIT 2009
Franklin HS 2002-2006 Varsity
Portland Metro SC 2000-02 (State Cup Champions 2002/Regional Semi Finals)
FC Portland 2003-05 (2003 state cup finalist/wc to regionals semi finals, 2004-05 state up runner up)
LOSC 2006-2008 (2006-08 state cup finalist)
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Phil Elton
Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE:USSF C LicenseUSSF National Youth LicenseFC Portland Coach Since 2015CURRENT:2016 Beaverton Cup Champs, U-17 BoysPREVIOUS:High School Coaching Experience: 8 years, Varsity Boys and GirlsFounder, President & DOC: Fort Payne Soccer Club, Fort Payne, AL. 2011 – 2015DOC: Fort Payne Parks & Recreation, Fort Payne, AL. 2003 – 2010President and Head Coach: Fusion FC, Gadsden, AL. 2012 – 2013Head Coach: Notts. Forest Football Club, San Diego, CA. 2007 - 2008PLAYING EXPERIENCE:Over 40 years diversified Coaching, Playing, and Officiating experience at various Clubs and Recreational leagues in England, Italy, New York, California, North Carolina, and Alabama
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Steven Corbett
Coach
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Tyler Baarts
Age Group Coordinator
