SAN JOSE, Calif. — Major League Soccer announced that 22 coaches — including the San Jose Earthquakes Academy’s Erin Ridley and Steven Sosa — received their Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL) in partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF). 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, 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 U-16 Head Coach
Charlotte FC Patrick Daka U-14 Head Coach/ Director of Pre-formation
Chicago Fire FC Selim Talbi U-16 Head Coach
FC Cincinnati Tyrone Marshall MLS NEXT Pro Head Coach
Colorado Rapids Elliot Prost U-17 Head Coach
DC Soccer Club Matt Arrington Director of Coaching
FC Dallas Adam Wells U-16 Head Coach
Houston Dynamo FC Jeremy Hurdle Interim MLS NEXT Pro Head Coach
Sporting Kansas City Luis Pacheco U-15 Head Coach
Los Angeles Football Club Andrew May U-18 Head Coach
Nashville SC Jason Boxx U-16 Head Coach
New England Revolution Rob Becerra Director of Youth Development
New England Revolution Liam Connors U-13 Head Coach
New York City FC Michael Dal Pra U-18 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 U-16 Head Coach
Philadelphia Union Peter McDonnell U-18 Head Coach
San Jose Earthquakes Erin Ridley U-16 Head Coach
San Jose Earthquakes Steven Sosa U-18 Head Coach
Seattle Sounders FC Brayton Knapp Development Methodology Assistant and Analyst/U15 Head Coach
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Dan Fairhurst U-18 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 Oct. 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.