Our Coaches

Mike Bair

Director of Summer Camp Programs
United Soccer Coaches National Diploma & Goalkeeper Diploma Levels I and II

COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Geneva College (2010-2019) – Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach, 2016 Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year, NSCAA National Runners Up 2011, First NCAA Tournament Berth in Program History 2016
North United/Beadling Soccer Club (2011-2018) –
u11-u19 coach, Goalkeeper Director 2016-2019
Mary Baldwin University (2019-2022) –
Head Men’s Soccer Coach, Started NCAA Men’s Soccer
Guilford College (2022-Present) – Head Coach
NC Fusion (2022-Present) – 2007-2008 ECNL-R Boys Head -Coach

Jay Benefield

MT Harbor HS Head Coach

Current Head Varsity Boys and Girls Coach Mt Tabor High-2 Time Sweet 16 and 2018 Final Four

All State GK at West Forsyth

3 Year Starting GK at UNCG #1 Ranked Team in the USA 2004 NCAA Sweet 16

Assistant Coach Lees-McRae College-2009 NCAA National Finals 

Assistant Coach UNCG-SoCon Conference League and Tournament Champions 2010

Liam Brown

Junior Academy East Director

Liam continues to serve in his current role of overseeing the Elite Academy, Junior Academy and Junior Discoveries programs in the East.  

COACHING/PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION:

NSCAA Advanced National coaching license

SFA (Scottish Football Assn.) level 1 certificate.

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2015 – Current – GUSA Jr. Academy since May 2015 –

2010 – 2015 – Carolina Elite Soccer Club in Greenville, S.C – Center of Excellence Director

Edwin De La Cruz

ECNL Boys Director

After several years working his way up in our club, Edwin has earned the opportunity to oversee our ECNL Boys program.  Edwin works tirelessly to improve as a coach, as he desires to see that same improvement in our players.  He will also coach 2 teams within the ECNL Boys program.

COACHING/PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION:

USSF National C License
USYS National Youth License

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

Charlotte Eagles Summer Camp Staff (2008-2010)

Cornerstone Charter Academy Middle School (2010)

Caldwell Academy Dialectic School (2012-2014)

Steve Diamond

15U-19U Director East
Steve continues to serve in his current role overseeing the boys’ and girls’ programs in the high school age groups in the East.  Steve will coach 2 high school aged boys’ teams (Spring) and 2 high school aged girls’ teams (Fall) in the Triad program.

COACHING/PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION:

USSF B License & USSF National Youth License

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

Guilford College Men’s Assistant 1999-2000

Marietta College Men’s & Women’s Asst. 2001-2002

GYSA Assistant DOC 2003-2010

Jamestown Soccer Club DOC 2011-2013

Carolina Dynamo Assistant 2011-2013

Greensboro United DOC 2013-Present

Greensboro College Men’s Assistant 2013

Carolina Dynamo Head Coach 2014-2015

NC Fusion Staff 2014-Present

Craig Gage

11U-14U Boys Assistant Director East

11U-14U Boys Assistant Director East – Craig continues to serve in his current role, with a specific focus on the development of our younger boys’ players in the East.  He has a passion for teaching the game to players at all levels, and desires to improve his level of coaching.  He will coach 3 teams within our Triad and East programs.

COACHING/PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION:

USSF F License (2017)

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

Coach at XL Soccer World 2012-2015

Assistant Coach at Greensboro College 2016-2017

Will Thomsen

11U – 14U Director Boys East

COACHING/PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION:

USSF Developmental Academy Apprentice (NC Fusion)

USSF National “C” Course (April-June 2018)

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

Greensboro United Soccer Association – Greensboro, NC

Director of Coaches for U11-U14 Boys (2017-present)

Director of Nutrition and Conditioning (2016-present)

Asst. Director of Coaches U11-U14 Boys (2016-2017)

Greensboro College – Greensboro, NC – Asst. Men’s Soccer Coach (2011-2015), Strength and Conditioning Coach – Men’s Soccer (2011-2015)
Burlington Soccer Club (2013-2015)

Director of Coaches for U11-U18 Boys,

Head Coach U13, U14, U17 BSC Cardinal (2013-2015)

North Carolina Olympic Development Program

Staff Coach for the 1996, 1999, 2000 Boys ODP State Team (2012-2015)

Head Coach – U11 and U17 Boys (2011-2012)

Head Coach – U11 and U18 Boys (2012-2013)