CUP Boys is a Premier Program based in the Greater Cincinnati area
Market Leader in Player Development, Competition and Exposure for College and Professional Pathways.
About CUP Boys
Cincinnati United Premier (CUP) Boys serves players aged U11+ who want to maximize their developmental potential by competing at the regional or national level.
Achievements
Since its formation, CUP Boys has placed 400+ players with collegiate soccer commitments.
In that time, 70+ youth players have entered academies with FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Austin FC, Levante (Spain), Indiana Fire Academy & Shattuck- St. Mary’s, and 10 have gone on to play professionally or nationally- 9 in the MLS and 1 in the Irish Premier Division.
At the team level, CUP Boys has won 5 National Championships (2022, 2023 & 2024).
Philosophy and Approach
CUP Boys is a part of the Cincinnati United Soccer Club family of soccer communities sharing the mission to inspire a love for development, competition and community.
The CUP GOAL is to develop the whole person, with our values of Character, Unity, Person-first, Growth-minded, Ownership, Ambition and Love serving as the guiding principles for all our players, coaches and staff.
On and off the field, under the guidance of professional coaches and staff, we seek to develop young people to their maximum potential with teams training a minimum of 3 times per week and competing at the state, regional or national level based upon their current level of development.
Platforms 2025 / 26*
*subject to change
View CUP Boys Team Formation Webinar for the 2025/26 season
HERE
Coaching Staff
With a deep sense of responsibility and an understanding of the trust placed in us to develop your child, we seek out, hire and develop the very best people and coaches. Cincinnati United is the ONLY club in the state of Ohio with two members of leadership who hold the Academy Director License from US Soccer and our CUP Boys coaching staff is comprised of individuals who hold the following licenses from the United States Soccer Federation:
- USSF A (2), USSF B (4), USSF C (2), USSF D (4).
- Additionally, we have staff who hold licensure from both UEFA (Europe) and COMMEBOL (South American) Confederations.
Learn more about our staff and identify who you might want to reach out to by visiting our
Contact Us page. Go
HERE if you want to inquire about coaching with us.
Interested in joining us or finding out more?
Current Members
CUSC Boys Premier Teams & Coaches 2026 - 2027
*Our U13-U19 Gold teams will play in the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division and therefore will be formed based upon birth year. All other teams will be formed upon school year per the dates listed below
U11 (August 1st 2015 - July 31st, 2016)
- CUSC BU11 Premier KING Gold (Kalu Abass), CUSC BU11 Premier FUTURE Gold (Tim Brown)
- CUSC BU11 Premier Silver (John Horstman)
- CUSC BU11 Premier North (Thomas De Grauw), CUSC BU11 Premier South (TBA), CUSC BU11 Premier West (Conner Zimmerman)
Want to learn more?
U12 (August 1st 2014 - July 31st, 2015)
- CUSC BU12 Premier Gold (Scott Stockum)
- CUSC BU12 Premier Black (Kalu Abass)
- CUSC BU12 Premier Silver (Ahmed Gaber)
- CUSC BU12 Premier North (Thomas De Grauw)
- CUSC BU12 Premier South (Emmett Webb)
- CUSC BU12 Premier West (Erik Schoening)
Want to learn more?
U13 (August 1st 2013 - July 31st, 2014*)
- CUSC BU13 Premier Gold (Paul Nicholson)*
- CUSC BU13 Premier Black (John Horstman)
- CUSC BU13 Premier Silver (Steven Abbenhaus)
- CUSC BU13 Premier West (Yomar Vera)
Want to learn more?
View Age Group Overview (one pager)
View CUSC Boys Premier Coaches Profiles
*Our U13 Gold team will play in the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division and therefore will be formed based upon birth year.
U14 (August 1st 2012 - July 31st, 2013*)
- CUSC BU14 Premier Gold (Paul Nicholson)*
- CUSC BU14 Premier Black (Nathan Heath)
- CUSC BU14 Premier Silver (Ben Josiah)
- CUSC BU14 Premier West (Andrew Paez)
Want to learn more?
View Age Group Overview (one pager)
View CUSC Boys Premier Coaches Profiles
*Our U14 Gold team will play in the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division and therefore will be formed based upon birth year.
U15 (August 1st 2011 - July 31st, 2012*)
- CUSC BU15 Premier Gold (Kadeem Dacres)*
- CUSC BU15 Premier Black (Nathan Heath)
- CUSC BU15 Premier Silver (Ahmed Gaber)
- CUSC BU15 Premier West (Andrew Paez)
Want to learn more?
View Age Group Overview (one pager)
View CUSC Boys Premier Coaches Profiles
*Our U15 Gold team will play in the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division and therefore will be formed based upon birth year.
U16 (August 1st 2010 - July 31st, 2011*)
- CUSC BU16 Premier Gold (Nedim Gracanin)*
- CUSC BU16 Premier Black (Ryan Derge)
- CUSC BU16 Premier Silver (Ben Josiah)
- CUSC BU16 Premier Red (Keith McHenry)
Want to learn more?
View Age Group Overview (one pager)
View CUSC Boys Premier Coaches Profiles
*Our U16 Gold team will play in the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division and therefore will be formed based upon birth year.
U17 (August 1st 2009 - July 31st, 2010*)
- CUSC BU17 Premier Gold (Nedim Gracanin)*
- CUSC BU17 Premier Black (Aaron Waugh)
- CUSC BU17 Premier Silver (Scott Phipps)
- CUSC BU17 Premier Red (AJ Kisor)
Want to learn more?
View Age Group Overview (one pager)
View CUSC Boys Premier Coaches Profiles
*Our U17 Gold team will play in the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division and therefore will be formed based upon birth year.
U19 (August 1st 2007 - July 31st, 20098*)
- CUSC BU19 Premier Gold (Reece Hands)*
- CUSC BU19 Premier Black (College Coach TBA / Aaron Waugh)
- CUSC BU19 Premier Silver (TBA)
Want to learn more?
View Age Group Overview (one pager)
View CUSC Boys Premier Coaches Profiles
*Our U19 Gold team will play in the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division and therefore will be formed based upon birth year.
Goalkeeping Staff
- Director: Jay Schneider
- Coaches: Corey Whisenhunt, Kiley Neff, Matt Noland
Current Season:
CUP Boys Teams & Coaches 2025 - 2026
2015 Birth Year (U11's) - Pre MLS NEXT
- Gold (Kalu Abass)
- Black (Kalu Abass)
- Silver (Ahmed Gaber)
- North (Nikolai Grassow), South (Thomas de Graauw)
Go HERE to learn more about all CUP Boys coaches
2014 Birth Year (U12's) - Pre MLS NEXT
2013 Birth Year (U13's)
2012 Birth Year (U14's)
2011 Birth Year (U15's)
2010 Birth Year (U16's)
2009 Birth Year (U17's)
2007/08 Birth Year (U19's)
- Gold (Nedim Gracanin)
- Black (Garrett Szabo)
- Silver (Grant Ingram)
- Fall High School Team (Kadeem Dacres, may include players from 2011-2007 ages)
Go HERE to learn more about all CUP Boys coaches
CUP Boys Teams & Coaches 2026 - 2027
We are in the process of announcing our coaching staff for next year and will periodically post updates here and on Social Media.
View our Premier Boys Team Formation Webinar
HERE
Want To See More?
Taster videos:
- U19 Senior Night (September 2025)
- Away Trip to Sockers FC for all ages, U13 - U19 (October 2025)
- View this video with music on our Instagram page HERE
Follow us on Social Media: