Daniel began his journey with the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club back in 2016, spending three years with the Central Region before switching to the South on a full-time basis. Originally from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, Daniel progressed throughout the Ballymena United Football Club ranks, before moving to the U.S. to play collegiate soccer for Ashford University. Throughout his time at Ashford, Daniel won a Conference Championship, with two National Tournament appearances. Off the field, Daniel has completed his MBA and holds UEFA, USSF, and National Youth licenses.

Daniel specializes in individual and small group training for ages ten and up, focusing on the technical and tactical sides of the game. All sessions are set in a positive learning environment, to create good habits, maximize strengths and improve weaknesses specific to the player and their stage in development – “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you”.

Zach is a specialist in player analysis, player development and individual technical training sessions. He played Division II soccer at Colorado Christian University as a goalkeeper. Zach started his coaching career in 2013 at the high school level as a junior varsity and goalkeeping coach and has been providing one-on-one technical and tactical sessions since 2017. He is currently the Regional Manager for Rapids Castle Rock, where he has been coaching teams and camps for over 5 years.

Understanding and knowing the individual players objectives, needs, and learning style to best support their development.

Carlos “Charlie” Alvarez Bacha played semi pro soccer from 1996 to 1999 with Pumas TUC and Necaxa Chalco as a Striker and played college soccer at Mexico’ City’s La Salle University Law Faculty. He began his coaching career as a volunteer coach for Texas Premier Club in Katy, Texas, and became a staff coach with Eclipse Soccer Club in Sugar Land, Texas. In 2014, he became Elite Futbol Club U9-U10 Academy Director. In December 2017, he moved to Colorado with his wife and daughter. He started at CRYSC in March 2018 in the Central Region REC Plus program before coaching in the South Select 9U-10U & 11U-12U Competitive program. He was CRYSC Soccer Start Director for Central and South Regions overseeing the 3-5 years old players. Starting 2021, then became the Soccer Start 6U/7U Director for the South Region. He’s involved now in the ECNL 2006 Boys team as well.

Every detail counts to build up the set of skills to play better, individually and collectively. “A good Technical Execution leads to a great Tactical Application”.

Nick Blanco grew up in Littleton Colorado and played his entire youth career for the Colorado Rush, Colorado ODP, and the Region 4 ODP team. At 18 he moved to California to play Division 1 college soccer at Loyola Marymount University. After 4 years with LMU Nick had a short stint with the MLS Chivas USA Reserves in Los Angeles. After the Chivas USA he jumped around playing for a number of different clubs around the US eventually returning to Colorado to start his coaching career. — After hanging up the boots Nick was hired by the Colorado Rush working as a DOC for 4 years coaching in the DA and ECNL eventually making the move to the Colorado Rapids currently as the DOC for the 8U/9U/10U Select Program

Nick works individually and with small groups focusing on teaching technical skills within game realistic moments. He will focus on the smaller details that will help players become more prepared for the real game

Levi is originally from Thornton Colorado and played for a club that eventually became Rapids North. Levi attended Metro State where played and earned his degree in Secondary Social Studies education. Levi has been coaching in the South region for 7 years and worked with all ages and stages that the club offers. He has also been involved the Colorado ODP program and Region IV ODP program.

Levi believes that personal training is an avenue to unlock a players individual skill set. Working one on one with a coach, players can ask detailed questions that pertain to their own individual development.

Rich is from England and played his whole youth career at Nottingham Forest. At the young age of 21, Rich moved to New York and played at Long Island University on the Men’s collegiate soccer team. Moving to Colorado in 2007, Rich has lived here ever since coaching numerous teams and CO ODP teams. Rich is now coaching at CO Rapids North and serves as the Director of Coaching for u13 – u19 Girls.

Rich works with individuals and small groups who are willing to put in the time to become better. Rich is dedicated to player growth and understands that every player is different with their individual needs. Rich aims to help players grow confidence and develop/master skills which players can actually utilize out on the field. One of Rich’s favorite sayings is “Small details make big differences”

Chris grew up just outside of Manchester, England, where he spent his formative years immersed in a soccer culture known for its passion and love of the game. That same love of the game is still very much a part of Chris’s life after years of playing, from a young boy and throughout college, where he played for the Edge Hill University’s Men’s team for three years in North-West England before relocating to the US. Chris has been coaching at the youth level for over 10yrs. He holds licenses and diplomas with multiple governing bodies and associations, including FA England, UEFA, US Soccer Federation, United Soccer Coaches, and United Futsal.

Chris views success as a byproduct of development; therefore, he will always focus on developing a young player’s technique to foster good habits from the offset. The 8U-10U age group is where Chris specializes, working in 1-on-1, small group, and team settings. The use of video is consistent within his sessions to help provide real-time feedback to his players.

Stephen is a Colorado native from an immigrant family of Mexican descent. He grew up playing club and high school soccer in Grand Junction, CO and would later gain collegiate playing experience while completing his Sports Administration degree at colleges such as University of New Mexico, Ripon College, and Fort Lewis College. Stephen also gained professional playing experience in Brazil with CA Bragantino. After returning from Brazil and finishing his degree, Stephen began coaching the boys varsity soccer team at Grand Junction High School, as well as coaching competitive rosters U11-U19 at Grand Junction Soccer Club, where he would continue for 9 years. Stephen moved to the Denver area in 2018, where he coached competitive teams at Rapids Central, while also working as the Youth League Manager at Bladium Sports and Fitness. In 2020, he transitioned to a Director of Coaching role at Rapids North and would later switch over to Rapids Central to assume the role of Director of Coaching for the U15-U19 Girls program. Stephen currently holds a USSF C License, Advanced National License, and United Futsal License. In addition to his roles at the Rapids, he also served as the Director of Coaching for FC Denver until 2022. Stephen also works as a snowboard instructor at Winter Park with 13 years of instructing experience. In the past, Stephen has worked as a personal trainer for Gold’s Gym. He can speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Stephen believes personal training is done to put in the work that other players don’t take the time to do. The drive to do personal training should come from the desire to be the sharpest, most consistent, and passionate player you can be. Personal training sessions should be carry a certain intensity, be difficult to test a players resiliency, and most of all be fun. Stephen is able to do 1-on-1, pairs, and small group sessions. Stephen has experience running sessions with the following dynamics: technique, tactical/positional application, motor skill development, speed & strength development, return to play steps from sports injury.

Marcus is a specialist in Skill Development, Attacking Movement & Tactics, Speed-Agility-Quickness, and individual technical training sessions. He began coaching at 15 in Chicago as a Youth Staff Coach for the Ukrainian American Youth Association. Marcus played DIII collegiate soccer at Concordia University Chicago and coached with Illinois Skill School throughout college and post-graduation. Illinois Skill School is led by former Manchester United Academy coach Kyle Jones, and focuses on developing an understanding and knowledge of over 75 specific skill moves. After graduation, Marcus worked for the Chicago Fire and coached with the Chicago Fire Jrs as an SAQ trainer for the U13 and U15 Pre-Academy teams running individual & team SAQ sessions. Since moving to Colorado, Marcus has worked his way up the CRYSC coaching ladder quickly: 2019 – Rec+ Staff Coach | 2020 – Central 08G White Coach | 2021 – Central 08G Burgundy Coach | 2022 – Central 08G Burgundy & 10G Select A Coach. Marcus also runs various camps and clinics for CRYSC including: Rapids Skills Camp, Shooting/Finishing Camp, Midfielder Position-Specific Camp, and SAQ camps.

“My focus lies in creating an environment that players crave to be a part of. Through passion, fun, hard work, and creative sessions I strive to develop players who are self-motivated, technically proficient, and are well-rounded athletes.”

Mark Sellon is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, who focuses on sports performance training with youth athletes. After his soccer career ended, Mark found a love for strength training in the process of rehabbing one of his multiple knee injuries. This motivated him to pursue a career as a personal trainer and help other athletes with similar issues. Mark started training in 2017 and opened Sellon Fitness in 2020. Sellon Fitness has brought his passions for coaching and strength training together, allowing him to help clients with a balanced approach to sports performance and fitness training.

“I value longevity in strength with an emphasis on functional, pain free movement. I program training to challenge clients to progress, while placing fun and consistency at the center of what I do.”