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Steven has been in soccer since the day he was born. Growing up watching his father Marcelo play with and alongside legends like Diego Maradona, George Best, Ricardo Bochini, it wasn't hard to find passion and love for the game. Watching his father play both indoor and outdoor soccer, he got to see the formulation of soccer in this country first hand.
Steven went to Bowling Green State University where he quickly realized his passion for playing was taken over with sports management opportunities through the local BGSU Rec Soccer Community as well as his Columbus Crew internship. Studying abroad and being able to observe first hand the European training model, his passion developed into coaching. After coaching for 8 years for IMG Academy and pursuing an A license, Steven gave up coaching club soccer and started training players individually, while also working with the United States Soccer Federation as a national teams coordinator and team manager. Steve was compelled to resign from coaching club soccer due to the influence of politics and the soccer culture.
"I fell out of love with the system of coaching in this country. I knew we were doing things wrong as a nation, as a league, even at the lowest to highest levels. I was tired of seeing systems and leagues use players for results while looking the other way when you asked their club how they were actually developing players from their organization. All the while taking advantage of coaches and community that love the game, but have to make ends meet to keep their passion a priority. Imagine going to a coaching course of the highest level and the instructor can't even do or has the experience, but they're supposed to guide you. Would you let your dentist operate on your ankle? I don't think so." Says Steven Carrera, Co-Owners of SOCCER TRAINR.
"We started SOCCER TRAINR to empower coaches with specific and real knowledge that matters so that they can have their methodologies spread. We don't know everything about soccer, but we can start to collect everyone's methodology who does have success. That way we can share that knowledge and really teach the future players, coaches and soccer community of tomorrow. With A-Champs app and other technologies, we can break down every player and specifically work on their weaknesses and strengths."
With over 15 years of experience, Steven has been dedicated to coaching both amateur and professional players with a strong desire to promote the love of the game. His fervent passion is palpable in his interactions. His ultimate goal is to facilitate the expansion of the sport's popularity. He aspires to equip after-school and non-profit programs with the necessary tools and methodologies, envisioning a future where soccer is accessible beyond a pay-to-play model.
"It's up to us to tell players, parents and coaches the truth of where they stand. Most players will not become professionals or even play in college. We're here to make great human beings first and then great soccer players. If we can give an idea back to players of where they are at, they know exactly what they need to work on to improve. If we can do it without opinion and actual facts, we're doing our job taking the politics out of the game, while still striving for every single player in our programs to develop and progress. That's what our IDP is all about no matter if we work with youth players just beginning or the pros."
-Steven Carrera