SENIOR STAFF
Mark Taylor 
Our Club President has been with us since 2003. In addition to holding positions at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, PA West's Olympic Development Program, Major League Soccer Camps, Huddersfield Town Football in the Community and Emley AFC, he is also the Co-Founder and Director of Operations for Pittsburgh Soccer in the Community.
Coach Taylor holds a USSF National C License, USSF National Youth License, UEFA B License, FA Junior Team Manager License, West Ham United International Academy Coaching Diploma and was an AYSO Level 5 instructor. He has a B.A. with honors in Sports Development and Coaching.
PRESIDENT
PERFORMANCE & COLLEGE PREP PHASE COACH
Jonathan Velotta
Our Executive Director holds a USSF A License and has over fifteen years of coaching experience.
Prior to joining our club, Coach Velotta served as Director of Coaching and Technical Director for Kentucky Fire Juniors. He was also head coach for Bellarmine University women's soccer and assistant coach for Carnegie Mellon University men's soccer as well as Bellarmine University men's and women's soccer.
Additionally, Coach Velotta held the position of assistant coach for the University of Louisville men's soccer program, was on the Olympic Development Program's Region II coaching staff and served as Javanon Youth Director.
He played for Brescia University and was Honorable Mention All-American (2003). Coach Velotta holds a Bachelor's Degree from Brescia University and a Master's Degree from the University of Louisville in Sport Administration.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BOYS DIRECTOR OF COACHING
Yon Struble
Coach Yon holds a USSF A License and his NSCAA Premier National Diploma. He brings decades of coaching experience to our club.
In ten seasons as the head coach of the Carnegie Mellon University women's soccer program, Coach Yon has led the Tartans to seven straight NCAA appearances, two University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships, and a 131-47-16 record. His highlights include three showings in the Sweet 16 and one in the Elite Eight.
In 2019, the Tartans were the first team sport at CMU to advance to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. In that same year, coach Struble was recognized as the ECAC National Coach of the Year.
In addition to setting numerous other records, Coach Yon made Carnegie Mellon women's soccer coaching history in his third season, as he was named Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year and UAA Coach of the Year, both firsts for a Carnegie Mellon women's soccer coach.
Prior to his arrival in Pittsburgh, Coach Yon served as an assistant coach for Division I Western Carolina University women’s soccer program in 2009. Before that, he spent six years working with teams at the Norcross Soccer Academy (NSA) in Atlanta, Georgia. While at the academy, he served as the Girls Technical Director.
Coach Yon was also a staff member for the Georgia Olympic Development Program (ODP) for seven years, serving as the head coach for multiple age groups. In 2005, he took his team to the ODP National Championships where they finished third.
In 2008, he was awarded United States Youth Soccer National Girls Competitive Coach of the Year at the U.S. Youth Soccer Coaching Symposium in Pittsburgh, Pa. In 2007, he was awarded the ODP Georgia Coach of the Year and Region III Coach of the Year, leading to his National Coach of the Year Award.
Coach Yon played his college soccer at Division I Stetson University, where he received his undergraduate degree in Elementary Education in 1995. He also received his Master of Arts in Reading Education in 2005, during his tenure at Georgia State.
After his time at Stetson, he played in the Empire State Games and helped lead his men's open team to the 1996 gold medal. From 1997 to 1999, he played professionally for the New York Capital District Alleycats of the USISL.
GIRLS PERFORMANCE PHASE COACH
Ed Ellsworth
Coach Ellsworth has been with the club since it was established in 2001. He brings with him over 18 years of coaching experience.
He holds a USSF B License and an NSCAA Premier Diploma License.
In addition to his work with our club, Coach Ellsworth is currently head coach of the Shadyside Academy boys soccer program where he led them to back-to-back WPIAL titles in 2017 and 2018. Prior to that, he was assistant coach at Pine Richland High School for nine years.
Coach Ellsworth played for LaRoche College and Pine Richland High School.
BOYS FOUNDATION PHASE LEADER
Mike Gardner
Coach Gardner has over 30 years of coaching experience.
He holds a USSF A License, NSCAA Director of Coaching License, USSF Youth License, Irish Football Association Full Badge and a Pennsylvania Teacher Certificate Level 2: Health and Physical Education.
Prior to joining our club, Coach Gardner served as Director of Coaching at Century United of Pittsburgh Football Club, as a staff coach for both the PA West and Virginia Olympic Development Programs, as an assistant coach for Carnegie Mellon University men's soccer, and as head coach for Keystone Oaks High School boys' varsity soccer.
Coach Gardner was awarded Boys Varsity Soccer Section Coach of the Year during his tenure with South Park High School in 2001.
DIRECTOR OF PLAYER & COACH DEVELOPMENT
Dan Brower
Coach Brower holds a USSF A License, NSCAA Premier Diploma, and NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma. He brings over 17 years of experience to our club's coaching staff. Previously, he was our club's Director of Coaching.
He has also served as a coach for PA West's Olympic Development Program and was head coach for Pine Richland High School boys soccer and West Allegheny High School boys soccer.
Coach Brower was recognized as PA West's Classic Soccer Coach of the Year in 2007.
He has played for Washington & Jefferson College where he was an All-Conference player in 1995 & 1996, as well as Captain and MVP in 1996.
FIRST TEAM COACH
PERFORMANCE PHASE COACH
Brian Haskins
Coach Haskins has over a decade of coaching experience. He currently holds a USSF D License.
In addition to his on-field work, Coach Haskins serves as Director of Club Administrative Team, ensuring our behind-the-scenes work is executed efficiently and professionally.
Coach Haskins previously played for Pine Richland High School.
COLLEGE PREP PHASE COACH
DIRECTOR OF CLUB ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Rami Bensasi
Coach Bensasi has over a decade of coaching experience. He holds a USSF C License.
In addition to his role with our club, Coach Bensasi has served on PA West's Olympic Development Program coaching staff, as well as with several soccer camps around the Pittsburgh area.
Beyond his on-field work, Coach Bensasi serves as our club's Director of Marketing, ensuring that the club's public-facing efforts are helping to grow the club in size and in stature.
Coach Bensasi played for the University of Pittsburgh men's varsity team and the Pittsburgh Hotspurs first team in the NPSL.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PHASE COACH
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Steve Rerick
Coach Rerick holds a USSF D License as well as a United Soccer Coaches Level 3 Goalkeeper Diploma.
He brings extensive playing experience and a blossoming coaching career to his role as Director of Goalkeeping for our club.
He also serves as assistant men's soccer coach at Slippery Rock University, where he is pursuing a master's degree in public health.
Coach Rerick played for Slippery Rock University, where he started 36 out of 39 games over four years, won two PSAC Championships and was recognized as a Scholar Athlete.
DIRECTOR OF GOALKEEPING
Nicole Krueger
Coach Bensasi has over a decade of coaching experience. He holds a USSF C License.
In addition to his role with our club, Coach Bensasi has served on PA West's Olympic Development Program coaching staff, as well as with several soccer camps around the Pittsburgh area.
Beyond his on-field work, Coach Bensasi serves as our club's Director of Marketing, ensuring that the club's public-facing efforts are helping to grow the club in size and in stature.
Coach Bensasi played for the University of Pittsburgh men's varsity team.
GIRLS FOUNDATION PHASE LEADER
U13 GIRLS COACH
COACHING STAFF
Greg Bevington
Coach Bevington has been with the club since 2018 and holds a USSF F license and USSF 7v7 license.
Coach Bevington also serves as Vice President and Director of Operations of the Avonworth Soccer Association, where he coaches and holds clinics for various age groups. He is the Disciplinary Chair of the PA West North District.
Prior to joining our club, Coach Bevington coached the North Hills Junior High School boys team.
As a player, Coach Bevington played for Washington & Jefferson College from 1994-1997, being named captain in 1997 and First Team All-Conference in 1996.
FOUNDATION PHASE COACH
Ryan Brode
Coach Brode played Division I for the University of Pittsburgh.
FOUNDATION PHASE COACH
Chase Brooks
Coach Bensasi has over a decade of coaching experience. He holds a USSF C License.
In addition to his role with our club, Coach Bensasi has served on PA West's Olympic Development Program coaching staff, as well as with several soccer camps around the Pittsburgh area.
Beyond his on-field work, Coach Bensasi serves as our club's Director of Marketing, ensuring that the club's public-facing efforts are helping to grow the club in size and in stature.
Coach Bensasi played for the University of Pittsburgh men's varsity team.
FOUNDATION PHASE COACH
Dan Digiralomo
"Coach D" has been with our club for over a decade and holds a USSF D license.
Prior to joining our club, he spent 10 years coaching at Pine-Richland High School.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT &
COLLEGE PREP PHASE COACH
Dave Interthal
GIRLS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Jake Jashinski
Coach Bensasi has over a decade of coaching experience. He holds a USSF C License.
In addition to his role with our club, Coach Bensasi has served on PA West's Olympic Development Program coaching staff, as well as with several soccer camps around the Pittsburgh area.
Beyond his on-field work, Coach Bensasi serves as our club's Director of Marketing, ensuring that the club's public-facing efforts are helping to grow the club in size and in stature.
Coach Bensasi played for the University of Pittsburgh men's varsity team.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT &
COLLEGE PREP PHASE COACH
Ryan Landry
Coach Landry, a former player in our club, is beginning his coaching career following the conclusion of his collegiate career, playing Division I with Duquesne University. There, he was recognized on the All-Rookie Team and awarded the captain's armband.
An accomplished player, he represented our club from 2006-2016, winning 6 state championships. Additionally, he was a member of the PA West Olympic Development team from 2009-2015, serving as captain and leading the group to winning a regional championship.
Coach Landry was also a member of the Region 1 Olympic Development Program team from 2012-2015, playing in Italy, Croatia, and Germany.
He graduated from Shaler Area High School in 2016 after being receiving accolades of All-WPIAL and All-State.
In addition to his role with our club, Coach Landry is also a member of the Pittsburgh Hotspurs of the NPSL.
TYKES, FUTURES, FOUNDATION PHASE COACH
Erica Ludwikowski
Coach Ludwikowski played division one soccer for four years at Rider University while earning her undergraduate degree in Sports Management and Leadership.
Following her colligate playing career, she continued her education and earned a masters degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Slippery Rock University in 2022. She has been an assistant coach for the Slippery Rock University Women’s Soccer program since August of 2020.
She holds a USSF D license and in addition to her college coaching experience, she has experience training youth soccer players, high school soccer players, and working various soccer camps of all ages.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT &
FOUNDATION PHASE COACH
Chris Moraga
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PHASE COACH
Keith Morse
Coach Morse holds a USSF F License and has 6 years of coaching experience with U6 and U8 age groups.
He serves as the U6 coordinator for Woodland Hills Youth Soccer, introducing countless children to soccer for the first time and mentoring new coaches. He has also organized several successful teams from WHYS to participate in Total Futsal’s USL and MLS divisions.
Coach Morse played indoor and outdoor soccer into high school and holds a Bachelor's Degree from Central Washington University and Master's Degree from Millersville University in Emergency Management.
FUTURES, FOUNDATION PHASE COACH
Brian Rosetti
Coach Rosetti has been with our club since 2017 and holds a USSF E license.
He has over a decade of coaching experience, including serving in previous positions as boys and girls varsity assistant coach with Penn Hills High School and varsity assistant and junior varsity head coach with Gateway High School.
In addition to his USSF license, Coach Rosetti holds numerous certifications through United Soccer Coaches, including Foundations or Coaching, Key Moments in the Game, Advanced Technical Training and Small Sided Games (7v7, 9v9, 11v11).
FOUNDATION PHASE COACH
Mike Sapsara
Coach Bensasi has over a decade of coaching experience. He holds a USSF C License.
In addition to his role with our club, Coach Bensasi has served on PA West's Olympic Development Program coaching staff, as well as with several soccer camps around the Pittsburgh area.
Beyond his on-field work, Coach Bensasi serves as our club's Director of Marketing, ensuring that the club's public-facing efforts are helping to grow the club in size and in stature.
Coach Bensasi played for the University of Pittsburgh men's varsity team.
FOUNDATION PHASE COACH
Brad Walker
Coach Walker has over a decade of coaching experience. He holds a U.S. Soccer National D Coaching License.
In addition to his role with our club, Coach Walker is currently the Boys Varsity Soccer Coach for the Leechburg Area School District. He also serves as the Director of Coaching for the Kiski Area Soccer League (KASL) and assists with various soccer programs offered by Legends of Pittsburgh Fitness year-round.
Coach Walker played for the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown men's team in college and is an Arsenal alum from the early 2000s.
TYKES, FUTURES COACH
