Coach's Corner

Meet the Coaches!

  • Daniel Farnham
    Director of Coaching

    Coach Dan Farnham brings 30 years of Coaching experience, passion and insight (25 years in Atlanta) to the field. He spent 12 years as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Reinhardt University, 2001-2013. While at Reinhardt, Coach Farnham also worked for the local soccer club in Cherokee County moving into a Director role over his 8 year stint. In 2014, Farnham transitioned back to the youth game, full-time, with Gwinnett Soccer Association as their Boys’ Academy Director. In 2018, he embarked on a new opportunity with TOCA Soccer, as a trainer and site Director - helping implement a new and unique training and developmental approach with the aid of technology. Since 2022, he has been a staff Coach with Roswell Santos Soccer Club in the 2012, 2011 and 2009 age groups. 

    Dan lives in Roswell with his fiance and has a 20 year old daughter. His twin brother, Mike, has also been an active youth Soccer Coach/Director in Atlanta for the last 20 years.

     

  • Ryan Robertson
    SAPL & Select Director

    USSF A license candidate- Provisional License given 2022
    USSF B License

    Playing Career:
    Ryan's soccer journey commenced in Michigan's Select/Travel Programs at the age of 3. Upon relocating to South Carolina in 1989, he found mentorship under Ralph Lundy. Under Lundy's guidance, Ryan's skills flourished, particularly during his high school tenure which propelled he and his team to the State Semi-Finals. His standout performance earned him a college scholarship at Andrew College, Ryan showcased his talent on a national stage. His journey continued at Brewton-Parker College, where he seamlessly transitioned into a dual role as a Player/Coach, illustrating his dedication to both playing and mentoring.

    Coaching Career:
    Ryan's coaching journey reflects his deep commitment to both personal development and the advancement of youth soccer. Working on his USSF A License, he has accumulated over 14 years of experience in various coaching capacities. Beginning his youth coaching career in 2007, Ryan laid the groundwork for his coaching philosophy and techniques. Simultaneously, he served as an assistant coach at Reinhardt College, where he gained valuable collegiate coaching experience. His coaching acumen expanded further to include Speed and Agility trainer and later assumed pivotal roles as a Technical Officer, Academy Director, and Director of Coaching.

    Ryan's commitment to continuous improvement is underscored by his pursuit of certifications such as the Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma 1 and Youth Diploma 2. These certifications demonstrate his dedication to staying abreast of the latest coaching methodologies and best practices, ensuring that he remains at the forefront of youth soccer development.

    Now serving as the Select and SAPL Programs Director at UFA Norcross, Ryan continues to make a significant impact on youth soccer. His diverse experiences, coupled with his relentless pursuit of excellence, make him an invaluable asset to the soccer community, shaping the future of the sport one player at a time.

  • Mariana Clarke
    Staff Coach

    Playing History:

    I’ve been playing soccer since I was 5 years old. My first official club soccer team was Chilpo FC, an all boys soccer program. I then joined the U15 girls ECNL team at Georgia Soccer Academy. I continued my club soccer journey with GSA all through high school. In 2018, I helped lead our varsity team at Parkview High School win a state championship. Following high school, I attended Georgia Gwinnett College on a soccer scholarship.

    Coaching History:

    During my time at Georgia Gwinnett College, I began my coaching career at Toca, assisting in the mini kickers program. Upon graduating from college, I became a teacher at Duluth High School, where I also assist the women’s varsity soccer program. Soccer has been such an important part of my life and I’m excited to be able to share my experience and knowledge with the kids.

  • Kenneth Mena
    Staff Coach

    Playing History:

    Kenneth Mena began playing in Queens New York City. Played in top NYC clubs like Albertson, Brooklyn Knights and Hota. Kenneth Mena played in ODP for 6 straight years. Mena was ranked #1 in Queens and #7 in stats his senior year of high school. Mena went on to play at Tyler Jr College where he helped serve the schools 1st National Championship 2009. Mena served as captain and was 1st Team All American. Mena also played at Clayton State University as well as Silverbacks Reserves team for Ricardo Montoya.

    Coaching History:

    Mena was the head coach at Concorde Central for 3 different teams. He coached P1 and P2 boys and girls teams. Mena was also at Atlanta Fire United where he also had multiple teams. Mena won the AFU tournament with his u16 team and also won SSA Tournament with his 2011 team.

  • Siba Mohammed
    Staff Coach
    USSF C License
    Playing History
    Siba Mohammed received a full scholarship to play for the University of Maryland in College Park, a NCAA Division I program, from 1999-2003. During his four years at Maryland he helped lead the Terps to two NCAA Final Four appearances and an ACC Men’s Soccer Championship in 2002. During Siba’s Senior year he suffered a severe knee injury which resulted in his inability to fulfill a life-long dream of playing professional soccer. Even with his injury, Siba graduated on time from University of Maryland with a Bachelors of Art in Government and Politics in 2003. Siba also participated in the Terps Summer Soccer program directed by 2005 National Coach of the year, Saha Cirovski. Prior to playing at Maryland, Siba was the team Captain of the Javanon Soccer Club team in Louisville, Kentucky that won the U-16 National Championship in 1997. Shortly after, the team was recognized with Honors from the Kentucky House of Representatives and the State Senate. In 2017, the Javanon 81’ team was inducted into the Kentucky Youth Soccer Associations’ Hall of Fame. Siba also played for the Walden Wolverines High School soccer team in which, upon graduation, was the all-time leading soccer in Kentucky High School history and was even named Best Delegate at the State of Kentucky Mock United Nations Assembly in 1996. Prior to coming to the United States, Siba was part of Real Tamale Republicans Colts Team based in Tamale, Ghana. That team placed second at the first annual U-15 Colts Milo National Championship in Kumasi, Ghana. In 1995, he was honored with the prestigious National Golden Boot as a member of the Ghana U-15 National team. 

    Coaching History
    Upon graduation from Maryland, Siba immediately became involved in youth soccer. Now with over 18 years of experience, he’s coached at Forsyth Fusion Soccer Club, now known as United Futbol Academy. Siba has coached as a professional Coach for both boys and girls in the Academy and Select teams since 2006. He has been coaching for United Futbol Academy since 2010.   
  • Alex Phillips
    Staff Coach
  • Pablo Piraquive
    Staff Coach
  • Cameron St. Prix Mitchell
    Staff Coach

    Bio Coming Soon

  • Ivey Suber
    Staff Coach

    USSF C License


    Playing History:
    Ivey Suber began playing at the select and academy youth levels in Austin, TX from 1982-90.


    Coaching History:
    Ivey Suber started his coaching career working with the youth recreational and academy teams in Covington, GA, at the Covington YMCA from 2004-2007. He moved to Rockdale Youth Soccer Association in Conyers, GA, to coach the academy teams from 2008-2010. He became the Rec Director Coordinator from 2009-2010. He moved to Dekalb United FC in 2010-2014 to coach the academy and select level age group teams. He returned to Rockdale Youth Soccer Association from 2015-2023 to coach the academy and select-level SCCL teams. During his tenure, he became the Rec Director from 2016-2017. Ivey Suber's coaching highlights were when he captured six tournament championships with the 2007 academy boys’ team from 2016 to 2018. Also, when the 2002 boys finished as tournament finalists and first place at our classic level in Fall 2018. He rebuilt the 2005 boys SCCL-Premiere team within three years to become a competitive team in the first inaugural year of 2020 in the SCCL league. Furthermore, he rebuilt the 2008 girls' SCCL-Premiere team that finished first place in their SCCL division within the first two seasons together in 2022. “Developing several players since 2008 and capturing other tournament finalists and championships with various age groups have been some of the greatest highlights of my coaching career”. Ivey Suber is the lead coach for the current 2008 boys for the GA ODP program and was selected as one of the South Region Staff coaches for the boys’/girls' Region ID Camp for the summer months. Ivey Suber is currently part of the SAPL coaching staff at the United
    Futbol Academy at Norcross.

  • Olivia Taylor
    Staff Coach
  • Mark Tonner
    09B Premier SAPL / 10B Red

    Mark is a native of South Africa and has been living in Atlanta since 1994. He has been a very successful coach and coached teams at State, Regional and National levels. Mark is a dedicated coach who gives great attention to technical training. Mark played college soccer for Life University and graduated in 1999 with a BS in Nutrition.

    He is married to wife Partricia and they have a daughter Kalvine.

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