Fairhurst earns honour after completing rigorous 18-month course from February 2023 to August 2024
NEW YORK (Wednesday, October 30, 2024) – Major League Soccer today announced that 22 coaches received their Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL) in partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF). Among the recipients is Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy U-18 head coach Dan Fairhurst.
One of the most highly regarded and rigorous soccer coaching courses in the world, the fifth iteration of the EFCL ran a total of seven weeks over an 18-month period, which culminated at the famed INF Clairefontaine outside of Paris in August.
As part of the program, coaches were required to submit a final project that incorporated classroom and on-field instruction, illustrating their ability to master teachings over the course of the 18 months. The projects were then evaluated based off the candidates’ ability to implement a principle of play within their environment or team. Of the below 22 coaches that received their Elite Formation Coaching License, the San Jose Earthquakes’ Erin Ridley became the first woman from MLS to complete the program. The LA Galaxy’s Sam Al-Basith will complete his final certification in December.
2024 Elite Formation Coaching License Recipients
Club
Name
Role
Atlanta United
Will Bates
U16 Head Coach
Charlotte FC
Patrick Daka
U14 Head Coach/ Director of Pre-formation
Chicago Fire FC
Selim Talbi
U16 Head Coach
FC Cincinnati
Tyrone Marshall
MLS NEXT Pro Head Coach
Colorado Rapids
Elliot Prost
U17 Head Coach
DC Soccer Club
Matt Arrington
Director of Coaching
FC Dallas
Adam Wells
U16 Head Coach
Houston Dynamo FC
Jeremy Hurdle
Interim MLS NEXT Pro Head Coach
Sporting Kansas City
Luis Pacheco
U15 Head Coach
Los Angeles Football Club
Andrew May
U18 Head Coach
Nashville SC
Jason Boxx
U16 Head Coach
New England Revolution
Rob Becerra
Director of Youth Development
New England Revolution
Liam Connors
U13 Head Coach
New York City FC
Michael Dal Pra
U18 Head Coach
New York Red Bulls
Jonathan Rhodes
Head of Player Development & Pro Pathway
Ohio Premier Soccer Club
Eric Dutt
Boys Formation Director/U16 Head Coach
Philadelphia Union
Pedro Cavalcanti
U16 Head Coach
Philadelphia Union
Peter McDonnell
U18 Head Coach
San Jose Earthquakes
Erin Ridley
U16 Head Coach
San Jose Earthquakes
Steven Sosa
U18 Head Coach
Seattle Sounders FC
Brayton Knapp
Development Methodology Assistant and Analyst/U15 Head Coach
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Dan Fairhurst
U18 Head Coach
Overall, the EFCL platform has played a pivotal role in MLS Homegrown development and the growth of several head coaches, assistants, and general managers throughout MLS and MLS NEXT Pro. FC Cincinnati 2 head coach Tyrone Marshall, who was a recipient of the Elite Formation Coaching License this year, was previously named the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year on October 16. Additionally, Chicago Fire FC academy head coach Selim Talbi, helped the Fire’s U15 side win an MLS NEXT Cup championship in June before completing the program.
Coaches and front office members who previously received their Elite Formation Coaching License have laid strong coaching foundations across MLS and MLS NEXT Pro over the last decade. Notable graduates include current MLS head coaches Nico Estévez (Austin FC), Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew), and Greg Vanney (LA Galaxy).
MLS is currently working with the French Football Federation on the sixth iteration of the Elite Formation Coaching License program which would begin in the spring of 2025.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
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