Select/XL Coaching Staff



Sean Morris
Sean brings a wealth of experience to MIFC, having competed at top levels locally and internationally, representing esteemed teams such as Seattle University, Seattle Sounders, and Portland Timbers. His tenure overseas in Europe and New Zealand has provided him with a unique perspective on player development and community development.

Despite his elite soccer background, Sean remains grounded in the belief that soccer is a game meant to be enjoyed by all, regardless of age, skill level, or background. His commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive soccer experience aligns perfectly with our club's values.

Radcliffe McDougald

Playing Experience – Radcliffe grew up and played soccer locally on Mercer Island, and for several premier clubs in the area.

Coaching Experience – After a standout college career at Concordia University, he returned home and has been coaching for local clubs as well as Mercer Island High School.

Personal Bio – He brings enthusiasm and a strong understanding of the game, and a knack for teaching the technical aspect that is so important for youth development and enjoyment of the game.

Tyler Bjork

Aaron Byers

Aaron has been a student of the game since he began playing at six years old. He grew up in the Highline area playing with the infamous Highline Heat teams who boasted some of the top players and coaches to ever come out of WA state. Aaron has traveled the world furthering his soccer education.

In addition to many years of playing and coaching, Aaron has also instructed the annual Coaching Clinics to which over 1,200 coaches have attended over the years. He takes great pride in helping coaches understand how to use age appropriate tactical references to teach young players. Aaron served as VP of Coach and Player Development at MIFC for ten years and served in the same capacity in EYSA for two years.

Awards/Certifications:

• FC Barcelona's FCBEscola
•  FC World Football Academy's at Feyenoord in Rotterdam (Netherlands) Expert License
• Benfica in Lisbon (Portugal) Expert License
• Valencia CF (Spain) Pro License
• 3four3 in Los Angeles at LA Galaxy
• 3four3 in Los Angeles at Chivas USA
• USSF and United Coaches credentials    

Coaching Philosophy: Aaron has an extensive track record for developing players by developing teams who understand to play the game in possession, out of possession and in between. His teams always play an attractive brand of possession soccer. He has helped develop hundreds of players that have gone on to play Sounders Academy, Reign Academy, represent WA state in ODP/EPD, ECNL and other top RCL players.

Emjay Byers

Renato Cardenas

Renato was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Seattle. Following his brothers' footsteps, he began playing soccer at a very young age, instantly falling in love with the game. After graduating high school, playing various clubs, Renato decided to continue playing for Bellevue College. With the support of his family, he continued to pursue his passion of playing, eventually turning it into a career.

Experience: 10+ years playing, 6+ years coaching.

Playing Career:

• MIFC Select player - 3 years
• PAC NW Premier - 3 years
•  EFC Premier - 1 year
• Bellevue College 1st year - Conference All-Star Team

Professional Experience:

• 6+ years coaching with IAS in various MIFC and EYSA programs including;
• Spring Academy 
  
• Winter Sharpness 
• Micro Soccer 
• MOD Clinics 
• Futsal 

Awards/Certifications:

• USSF 9V9 certificate

Coaching Philosophy: Renato's intent as a coach is to educate and prepare players for their future through various lessons soccer brings. He is fully committed to helping kids reach their goals and hopes to pass down his passion for the game.

Elliot Fauske

Elliot's goal is to build community through soccer. He has lived in Mexico and Brazil and speaks Spanish and Portuguese. In addition, Elliot has been fortunate to have travelled to over 30 countries and has seen how football connects people from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. He seeks to instill passion for the game through encouraging individual creativity within a framework of sound tactical fundamentals.

Playing Career:

• 6 years Professional Indoor Soccer for the MASL/MISL (2 with Tacoma Stars, 4 with Rochester Lancers)
• 4 years for Seattle University (MVP senior year)
• PDL Championship with Kitsap Pumas in 2011
• Mead High School in Spokane (MVP Senior Year)
• Premier and ODP through high school

Professional Experience:

• Youth select soccer for ages U8-U17 for several years before joining MIFC full time in 2016
• Head Coach - Mercer Island High School Junior Varsity 2018
• Pro Camps Director for Western New York Flash 2015

Awards/Certifications:

• USSF "E" license (I am signed up and will have my "D" license completed by the end of June)
• WFA Football Fitness/Braining Diploma
• WFA Football Tactics/Action Analysis Diploma
• NSCAA Level 1 Futsal Diploma

Coaching Philosophy: Elliot's priorities through sport are respect, hard work and fun. Players should respect parents, referees, teammates, opponents and coaches. Players should learn through sport how rewarding hard work can be. And ultimately, it should be fun. Some of Elliot's best memories and closest relationships have come through soccer and he hopes to create an environment that affords the same opportunity for his players.

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Jacob "Jake" Gordon

Dylan Hargreaves

Qualifications: USSF National E License

Coaching & Playing background: Dylan grew up playing soccer for Eastside FC and Newport High School in the 1990s. He joined Bellevue United FC in 2013 and has coached G2002, B2007s, G2009s, and now coaches the XL teams for G2014s and Girls High School.

Reason for Coaching: As a Bellevue native I love giving back to my community in my spare time. Getting to share my passion for soccer with a new generation of kids while teaching them life lessons about hard work, problem solving, teamwork, and “competing” is incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the distinct pleasure to get to know dozens of players, families, and coaches over the course of my career and have made many lasting friendships.

Hadji Sow

Joel Mallari

Experience: 13+ years playing, 11+ years coaching
Playing Career: Four year, 3 sport letterman (Tennis, Wrestling & Soccer) in Oak Harbor High School.
Professional Experience & Credentials:  National “D” License Certification, 11v11 & 7v7

 Coaching bio:  Coach Joel Mallari grew up in Oak Harbor, WA.  He started playing soccer at the age of 4, where he started to excel at the sport, breaking scoring records, winning several tournament most valuable player awards and also playing on the Select Whidbey Islanders travel team.  He also has played all kinds of sports growing Coach Joel Mallari grew up in Oak Harbor, WA.  In High school, Joel was a 3-sport letterman in Tennis, Wrestling & Soccer and had offers to play sports on the collegiate level until he got a knee injury his senior year of high school which ended his competitive career.  Coach Joel began his coaching career 11 years ago as a parent volunteer for the YMCA and Sno-King Associations for his both of his children's sports teams.  He currently coaches for the Premier soccer club Bellevue United FC and holds several Coaching Certifications and a U.S. Soccer's National D Coaching License.

Kevin Van Gaver

Kevin grew up in South Seattle. He and his wife have three adult children. Kevin loves being on the pitch with the players. When he's not coaching soccer, you'll find him in the garden, the kitchen, or on the golf course.

Experience: 25+ years coaching - Girls and Boys, 3v3 Micro through 11v11.

Playing Career:

• Youth soccer (age 5-18 years)
• High School - O'Dea/Cleveland, Class of '79
• Bellevue Community College
• Seattle University
• FC Seattle

• USSF C coaching license
• Lifetime Achievement Award- Lake Hills Soccer Club