Meet our SAM Soccer Clinicians

Our coaches for all clinics are highly qualified and ready to teach your child the game! 

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  New Coach Coming Soon

   

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  Jose Cooper

  Bio coming soon!

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  Trey Cooper

  Bio coming soon!

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  Dani Fernandez

  One of SAM’s most tenured and popular coaches, Coach Dani has provided enthusiastic and well-conceived instructional classes for many years. She draws upon her knowledge as a public-school teacher to capture and hold the attention of even the most challenging children. Dani has also been an instructor for several “girls only” SAM classes, all of which have filled quickly.- SAM coach since January 2014- Extensive playing and coaching background

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  Russell Herzog

  Bio coming soon!

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  Mike Moulton

  Coach Mike is one of our most popular and requested coaches. He brings enthusiasm, warmth, and fun to his classes. Mike provides great instruction for all age groups but is especially good with the younger children, ages 2-4, one of the hardest age groups to coach. Parents and players are always pleased that Mike remembers every child’s name, and many have moved on to one of the many teams that Mike coaches in the SAM Recreational League.- SAM coach since Spring 2015- Lead Instructor in SAM MCPS school clinics- USSF “D” License- Coaches in SAM Rec, MSI, Stoddert

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  Bruce Murray

  In the short time since he joined the SAM Soccer coaching staff, Coach Bruce has contributed to the growth of our club and the development of our players in numerous ways. In addition to being one of our most reliable and accomplished instructors for  SoccerPlex and school clinics, he has also filled in as a referee at many SAM games and mentored our younger coaches.- SAM Coach since Fall 2022- All American forward at Clemson University- Member National Soccer Hall of Fame; played professionally 1988-1995- At the time of his retirement, was the United States Men’s National Team all-time leading scorer

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  New Coach Coming Soon

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  Leo Ramos

  Bio coming soon! 

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  New Coach Coming Soon

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  Daniel Zapata

  Daniel was a semi-professional player in Medellin, Colombia, where he played as a left midfielder winning the state league 2 times and local tournaments 4 times. He also played at Montgomery College for a year.

  At the academic level, Daniel has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics with an emphasis in Sports Nutrition and multiple degrees in business administration and finance. In addition, he has an ISAK level I anthropometrist.

  He worked as a sports nutritionist for Indeportes Antioquia, a government entity in charge of managing high-performance athletes and Olympic prospects in the state of Antioquia in Colombia, working especially with soccer players, weightlifters, and swimmers.

  As a technical assistant in Medellin, Colombia, Daniel spent a year at Margos F.C. This academy is dedicated to turning young athletes into professional players. In this academy, Daniel worked assisting the U-15 and U-23 age groups, reaching the quarterfinals of the national tournament with the U-15s and with the semifinals with the U-23 team.

  Currently, Daniel has the US Soccer D license, along with his US Soccer Grassroots licence.

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  Devin Payton

  Since coming to SAM Soccer and the Maryland Soccerplex, Coach Devin has filled numerous roles including teaching SoccerPlex and school clinics, camp director in summers of 2022 and 2023, SAM Select league coach and referee. A tireless worker, he has made valuable contributions to instructional programs for children of all ages. Devin’s ability to organize his practice sessions and engage effectively with the children is unparalleled.- SAM Coach since Summer 2022- Played professionally for NOVA Royals, Md Mutiny, and Carolina Dynamo- Extensive playing and coaching soccer and futsal- USSF “B” license

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  Stephen Pfiel

  SAM Soccer and the Maryland SoccerPlex have benefited from the arrival of Coach Steve on many levels. In addition to coaching numerous SAM instructional clinics, he has also mentored young referee candidates in the SAM Soccer R.E.F program, served as the camp director of SAM Soccer camps and filled in as a referee at SAM games. He is known for his meticulous attention to detail, dedication to the game and is constantly striving to further his coaching education and improve himself. In Spring of 2023, he became a certified referee.- SAM coach since Spring 2023- Played on U20 US Youth National Team- Played professionally for Washington Diplomats- Goalkeeper coach for Maryland Olympic Development Program- Founding board member of Maryland SoccerPlex- USSF “C” license