Executive Editorial


Dear CU Community,


Fall is in full swing, and there’s so much to celebrate across our club. From the energy on the fields to the accomplishments of our players, families, and staff, this season has been filled with moments that remind us why Cincinnati United is such a special community.


This edition of our newsletter highlights the many ways our players, families, and staff continue to bring our mission to life. Inside, you’ll find updates on our new partnership with Working With Parents In Sport, an initiative designed to strengthen collaboration between families and coaches in support of every player’s journey. 


You’ll also see stories that celebrate the dedication of our volunteers, coaches, and staff — the people who make the daily work of our club possible and whose impact often extends far beyond the field.


This issues spotlights (Coaches Corner, Staff Spotlight and Unsung Heroes) is also very special as it includes three individuals who collectively have over 4+ decades of services to our wonderful community. Together, their leadership and commitment have shaped their experience of countless players, families and coaches. 


We’re proud to feature alumni whose paths remind us that success takes many forms, from college commitments to professional opportunities, and we’ll highlight the lessons carried forward from their time at CU. You’ll also find highlights from players in all variety of programs, age groups and communities; tournament achievements across age groups, and the continued growth of our community footprint with CUP West and CU Northwest.


Above all, this issue is a celebration of the people who make our club what it is — the players giving their best every day, the coaches guiding them, and the families and staff supporting the journey.


With gratitude,


Blake Decker 

Chief Executive Officer 

Cincinnati United SC


Share your stories with us along the way by submitting on our Tell Your Story page.   

Contents


We hope you enjoy reading our quarterly newsletter and we have worked hard to provide lots of information and updates. However if you want to pinpoint content that is relevant to you, use the links below to navigate the page:


  1. Celebrating Success
  2. Coaches Corner
  3. Partners on the Pitch
  4. Unsung Heroes
  5. WeCU
  6. Staff Spotlight
  7. Where are they now?
  8. What's next?

Celebrating Success


Trying to keep up with the many successes of our members on and off the field? Look no further for a small sampling of the amazing things our members have been up to over the last 3 months.

A big thank you to our partners Puma and BVB Borussia Dortmund for running a great camp to kick off our summer.


In spite of the heat, all CUSC players & coaches had a fantastic experience on camp!


Pictured left to right, along with Emma the Bee, are CUSC staff members Hugh Seyfarth and Garry Hancock, BVB Legends and then CUSC coaches Ross Brogan, Ryan Sindall, Aaron Waugh & Yalcin Karatas.


Thanks also to our partners at Voice of America. This was a Monday morning to remember for all involved!


[link to recap video included at bottom of this edition]

The US Women's national team came to town at the end of June, playing a friendly game against Ireland at TQL, and there were plenty of CUSC connections!


Firstly Rose Lavelle, CUP alumni, made her 111th national appearance in her home city, returning after a long injury lay off. Rose is pictured, along with teammate Lilly Beale, taking selfies with younger CUSC and Cincinnati families. If you look closely you'll even see an older CUP jersey about to be signed!


Thanks to those families who reported these stories, including interaction with Coach Emma Hayes and other players after the game.


Our girls were described as 'Instagram famous', as these photos were posted by USWNT, NWSL and Gotham FC outlets.


It was a great event for the club, who were able to get partner access to hundreds of tickets for families throughout CUSC.

This August marked the launch of our first annual MLS Preseason Camp, bringing together our U13–U19 MLS NEXT Homegrown Division (Gold) teams for an impactful and memorable experience.


Goals Accomplished:

  • Team Chemistry: Strengthened connections among players and staff through an immersive stay at Spooky Nook.
  • Playing Identity: Introduced and reinforced our style of play through on-field sessions and team meetings.
  • Balanced Fun: Integrated team-building and fun with activities like pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer tennis – because it's not all about soccer!


Special Thanks & Shoutouts:

  • Nick Hagglund
  • Mangine Foundation One Shot
  • Andy Fleming
  • Roger Rose, NextLevel Photography
  • Beacon Orthopedics
  • NRG Fitness
  • Our host site, Spooky Nook
  • Our players, coaches & volunteer parent chaperones


This camp sets a strong foundation of our preseason programming in the future, preparing our players both on and off the field.

Celebrating 10 years of Orange and Blue of FCC! We had 4 representatives in the recent Alumni match at TQL:


From left to right:


  • Luke Broz, CUP player and current FCC Academy GK (guest played in Alumni game)
  • Kadeem Dacres, currently coaches CUP Boys Fall HS Team and CUP 10B Black and played for FCC in 2017
  • Paul Nicholson, currently serves as CUP Boys MLS NEXT 1 & 2 U13-U15 Director, coaching CUP 13B Gold & CUP 12B Gold, and played for FCC in 2016 & 2017
  • Austin Berry, CUP player, played for FCC in 2016 & 2017, was the first FCC Captain and is the current Strength & Conditioning Coach with the FCC 1st Team

On August 9th, over 100 CUSC coaches came together for our semi-annual All Coaches Meeting.


As part of our CUSC Coaching Education & Development Series— Foundations and Structure, this also featured a special workshop from Working With Parents in Sport (WWPIS).


Coaches engaged in lively discussions, asked great questions, and walked away with new tools to support our players both on and off the field. This event always represents a great way to kick off our fall season.


Additionally, we hosted 2 Parent Engagement evenings with WWPIS with close to 200 U8 or U11 parents in attendance. Much more on all of this in our Partners on the Pitch feature later in this edition!


A new era begins!


Shoutout to Andrew Paez and our first year CUP West Teams on the first ever night of training in our new CUP West and CU Northwest communities!


Congratulations to all the coaches and players who are helping the club start this latest chapter this fall!

CUP Alumni and current FC Cincinnati Academy product, Gael Huguet recently made his international debut for the Peru U-15 National Team!


We are proud to continue to see your progress Gael!


Congratulations to you and your family!

Special shoutout to CUP 2011 player Angelica Alzugaray, who currently competes for the club at U15 MLS Next level.


Angelica was recently invited to a spend a week at a USYNT training camp in Chula Vista, California.


What an achievement and congratulations!

Special Mentions

Here are some other special mentions from the last 3 months!

BRIAN GOFF's new role


Over the summer Brian Goff was appointed as Assistant Technical Director & U16-U19 Age Group Director for CU Southeast.


Congratulations to Brian and we are excited to see you in this new role!

KEMAR JACKSON and THE GA


After 10 years at the club, Kemar Jackson has moved into a new role as the CUP Girls Academy Assistant Director.


Well done Kemar and good luck- the whole of the girls side is lucky to have you!

CUSE 16g ac milan


Special shoutout to CUSE 16G AC Milan who qualified for and competed in the Premier SuperCopa in Salt Lake City, UT, this summer.


Well done to all the players, coaches and families involved in this experience!

buckeye september showdown


Just this past weekend the club hosted the first edition of our newly named tournament, in partnership with Tournament Guru Events. Thank you to everyone involved- whether players, coaches, families and of course our volunteers.


We look forward to this tournament going from strength to strength for many years!

COLLEGE ID CAMP ANNOUNCED


We are excited to host our second annual College ID Camp in February, and look forward to hosting many college programs and FCC scouts once again in year 2.


Anyone interested in the early bird price or who has questions can reach out to Nedim Gracanin: ngracanin@cincinnatiunitedsc.com.

us soccer coaching courses

At
At the end of July CUSC Director of Coaching Hugh Seyfarth led a US Soccer 7v7 and 11v11 Grassroots course.


Congrats the following coaches who received their licenses: Alan Grothaus (7v7), Ian Mitchell (11v11), Izzy Mauer (7v7), Tony Fletcher (7v7) and Jacob Grant (7v7 & 11v11).


The club also supplied players for a US Soccer B course held locally in partnership with both US Soccer and Ohio Soccer Association. Thank you to all the CUP Boys and CUP Girls players (and families) who helped support and bring to life the training phase of this 6 month program.

Early season tournament performances


Premier Cup (Indianapolis)

  • Champions: CUP 15G Silver, CUP 14G Silver
  • Finalists: CUP 14G South, CUP 12G Silver


Party On The Pitch (Cincinnati)

  • Champions: CUSM 16G Bordeaux, CULM 16G Bilbao, CUP 14G Gold, CUSE 17B Arsenal, CUSE 17B Chelsea, CUSE 16B Chelsea, CUSM 16B Augsburg, CUSM 16B Cologne, CUP 14B Gold, CUP 14B North, CU North 14B Elite 1, CUP 13B West
  • Finalists: CUSE 17G Arsenal, CUSM 16G Auxerre, CUSE 17B Barcelona, CUSE 17B Dortmund, CUSE 17B Fiorentina, CUSE 16B Arsenal, CUSE 16B Barcelona, CULM 16B Brechin, CUSM 16B Dusseldorf, CU North 14B Puma One, CU North 13B Elite 1, CU North 13B Puma One


Grand Park Cup (Indianapolis)

  • Champions: CUP 15G North, CUP 14G North, CUP 15B Black, CUP 15B Silver, CUP 13B Black, CUP 13B Silver
  • Finalists: CUP 15B Gold, CU North 14B Puma One


Buckeye September Showdown (Cincinnati)

  • Champions: CULM 16G Atletico, CUP 15G Gold, CUP 14G Black, CUP 14G Gold, CUSE 17B Chelsea, CULM 16B Aberdeen, CUSM 16B Bayern, CUP 15B Gold, CUP 14B Black, CU North 14B Elite 2, CUP 13B Silver, CUSE 12B Elite, CUP 11B High School
  • Finalists: CUSE 17G Arsenal, CUP 15G Black, CUP 14G North, CUP 13G Black, CUSE 17B Barcelona, CUSM 17B Cagliari, CUSE 17B Everton, CUSE 16B Arsenal, CUSE 16B Chelsea, CUP 15B Black, CU North 14B Puma One, CUP 14B Gold


We appreciate every one of our members and families at Cincinnati United Soccer Club


We try our best to include as many diverse stories of success, both on and off the field, and as always would like to ask for your help. If you would like to nominate an individual or a group for the next edition, please email content@cincinnatiunitedsc.com.


You can also visit the Tell Your Story page to submit media or information.

Coaches Corner


Every season we feature an interview with one of our fantastic staff members. For this edition we have focused on Nicki Pendleton Skylis.

Name: Nicki Pendleton Skylis


Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio


Tell us about your life away from the field:

I am a mom of 2, Trey (8) and Addi (11). I love watching my daughter's dance studio compete and coaching/watching her play soccer. I love watching my son play ice hockey, baseball, basketball and soccer. When I have extra time, I like spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy staying active, working out, boating, and traveling. About 18 years ago I started my own quickness, speed and agility business that offers training to all ages and all sports.


When did you start coaching?

I organized and ran my first soccer camp when I was 15 years old. I started coaching club soccer in 2002.


When did you join the club?

I joined the club in 2016 as a CUP Southeast coach.

 

Teams you coach this past season?

CUP 13G Red and CU Southeast 13G Elite 

 

What inspired you to become a coach?

I wanted to share my love and knowledge of the game with other people and I wanted to be someone that could be a positive role model for kids during their journey on and off the field. One of my coaches growing up was my dad... he coached me in both soccer and basketball. Seeing his passion and dedication inspired me and showed me what being successful looks like. I got to see the kind of impact a coach can make on their players. My high school basketball coach, Chris Carletti, also inspired my coaching style. 

 

What's your best memory on and off the field at the club?

Watching players apply things they've learned from my coaching and getting positive feedback from parents about all the positive changes I made in them as a person and player.  Off the field, I've enjoyed doing fun team building activities at tournaments and spending time with other coaches that love the game like I do.

Each season we focus on a CUPGOAL, and this edition it is LOVE. How does that translate to the youth soccer world for you?

Sharing my LOVE for the game through competition, motivation, commitment, and sharing what it feels like to LOVE the results of your HARD WORK.

 

Funniest moment as a coach?

Some of the funniest moments for me come from coaching in training/games with other coaches and discussing some of the unexpected moments (good, bad and ugly) of the game.

 

Is there anyone on your coaching journey who you identify with as a mentor?

I consider any coach that has impacted or challenged my coaching style and growth with the game as a mentor. There have been a lot over the last 24 years. My dad continues to be a mentor and will always be a mentor for me. Jon Pickup was someone that I’ve known since 2002 when I started coaching and worked again with when I joined the club.


What one piece of advice would you have to someone who is considering starting out on their coaching journey?

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS with your players, be honest and stay consistent!!!! Continue to educate yourself on how the game is changing and how to keep getting better as a coach.


Who is your favorite soccer team apart from Cincinnati United 🙂?

I like to watch any soccer, but I have really become a big Cincinnati FC fan over the last few years. 

 

Apart from soccer, what other sports do you like to watch or play?

I love watching American football (both college and NFL) and college basketball - I am a HUGE UC BEARCAT FAN. I love to play pool, darts, basketball, doubles/quad sand volleyball, pickleball (just started) and my favorite workout is spinning on the Peloton.


We have been told that you played at a high level growing up too, could you tell us a little about that?

As a player I won a National Club title in 1999 with my club team the “Cardinals”. I won a State title with my high school team at Turpin High school in 1996 and was inducted into the Turpin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. I played at Ohio University, where we won 2 MAC championships, I was captain and named as the MVP my senior year at OU. I then played one year in the W-League for the TCStars.

 

Tell us a 'fun fact' about yourself that very few people know?

I have a 15 month old nephew that lives in Cuba and I am VERY close with my parents and my brother. We see each other almost every day.


Thanks to Nicki for taking the time to answer our questions! Nominations for the next edition of Coaches Corner can be emailed to content@cincinnnatiunitedsc.com.

Partners on the Pitch


In every newsletter we look to tell our members more about our fantastic partners. In this edition, we focus on Working With Parents In Sport (WWPIS)



Introducing WWPIS: Building a Stronger Soccer Family


At Cincinnati United Soccer Club (CUSC), we believe that the journey of a young athlete is best supported when coaches, parents, and players work together in harmony. That’s why we were thrilled to announce our transformational new partnership this summer. Our collaboration with Working With Parents In Sport (WWPIS), a globally respected organization known for its pioneering work in creating stronger connections within youth sports communities, is further evidence of how our club continues to develop.


After months of thoughtful planning, the partnership officially launched in July 2025. Since then, it has already started making a profound impact across our club.


“This is such an exciting partnership for us,” shared Gordon MacLelland, CEO and Founder of WWPIS. “High-quality relationships between management, coaches, parents, and young players are critical—but they don’t happen by accident. This comprehensive program aligns messaging, fosters connection, and drives dynamic, positive change across the club. It’s inspiring to be part of such a forward-thinking organization.”


WWPIS has worked with prestigious partners like Manchester United, Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, British, Australian, and Canadian Gymnastics, Irish Soccer, England Rugby and Basketball, and even Scotland’s Cricket and Judo programs. These are just a few of the hundreds of organizations that WWPIS work with globally, with specific focus now on increasing their footprint across North America. The fact that WWPIS is now collaborating closely with CUSC places our club among some of the most elite and forward-thinking youth programs in the world.



Laying the Groundwork: In-Person Sessions and Custom Resources


A key part of the launch came in August, when Gordon MacLelland made the trip from the UK to spend time with our coaches and families here in Cincinnati. During his visit, he hosted:


  • A coaches-only session titled “Engage: How to Connect with Your Young Athlete’s Parents,” attended by over 120 CUSC coaches.
  • Two parent engagement evenings—one for our U8 families, and another for the CUP U11 group—drawing between 60 and 125 attendees per session. A great turnout, especially given we asked only one parent per family to attend.


These evenings, graciously hosted by Embassy Suites in Blue Ash, weren’t just about listening to a lecture. They marked the beginning of a more connected and collaborative culture within CUSC. Our coaches benefited from the different perspective on how to work with parents of kids of all ages and abilities, whilst the parents themselves left not only with valuable insights but also with customized resources to support their family's soccer journey:


  • A co-branded version of the WWPIS best-seller, Sports Performance Parenting, was distributed to all attendees.
  • U8 families received the interactive “Our Sporting Journey” workbook, designed to help young players reflect, grow, and find joy in their development through soccer.


Gordon reflected fondly on this visit- "We had the best time visiting Cincinnati and specifically working with Cincinnati United, such a progressive club. The quality of the environment they are trying to create for young players is a credit to management and staff. All sessions had an incredible amount of positive interactions and it was also great to spend additional time with coaches and parents outside of the formal sessions."


“Working with Gordon and WWPIS is an absolute game-changer for our club,” said Hugh Seyfarth, Director of Coaching at Cincinnati United SC. “Gordon truly understands the complexities of the youth sports environment and offers real-world tools that bring coaches and parents onto the same team. When we all work better together—coaches, parents, and the club—the biggest winner is always the player. That’s what this partnership is all about.”



Parent Engagement: Continued improvement and development for CUSC


One of the key takeaways from Gordon’s sessions with both parents and coaches was a new shared understanding of what parent engagement means:


“A positive role that a parent can play as a partner to the organization and coach in the holistic and athletic development of their child—leading to a lifetime participation in sport or physical activity.” states MacLelland.


This definition isn’t just a mission statement—it’s a call to action. At CUSC, we’re not asking parents to take a step back. We’re asking them to step forward—but in a way that is intentional, informed, and aligned with the club’s philosophy of long-term player development.


We know that when parents understand their role and feel supported, they become powerful allies in the journey. This partnership is built to help foster that understanding through continuous engagement, open communication, and shared goals.



What’s Next: Exciting New Tools and Content Coming Soon


The August sessions were only the beginning.


In the coming months, we’re rolling out several new resources to strengthen the connection between families and the club:


  • A fully customized parent portal, created specifically for CUSC families. This portal will house exclusive WWPIS content, including hundreds of curated articles, blogs, and podcasts designed to help parents support their children in youth sport—on and off the pitch.
  • A CUSC-dedicated webpage, soon to be live on our club website, where all things WWPIS will be housed.
  • A special access code for parents and coaches to join the WWPIS online library and website.


We strongly encourage all families and coaches to stay tuned and take full advantage of these resources as they become available.



Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture


Youth sports are evolving. The demands on kids are greater, the pressure can be higher, and the need for healthy adult support systems has never been more important.


CUSC has always prided itself on being a club that values more than just wins and losses. We’re here to develop well-rounded athletes—and that starts with building a community of educated and empowered adults who can guide them.


“This initiative underscores Cincinnati United’s belief that the strongest support systems start with education, trust, and shared purpose,” said Hugh Seyfarth. “The result? A club culture where every child can thrive.”


We’re proud to say that this partnership with WWPIS is not a one-off event—it’s the start of something long-term and meaningful. Whether you're new to youth sports or a seasoned soccer parent, you’ll find tools, insights, and a community here that is invested in making this journey the best it can be for your child.



Final Thanks


We want to thank Embassy Suites once again for graciously hosting our in-person sessions, and our hotel partner Laurie Santel and Stay Play Made Simple. Your support helped create an environment that allowed for connection, learning, and growth.


To Gordon and WWPIS: thank you for making the trip over for the launch and for your enthusiastic and candid approach. We are grateful to be able to welcome you into the CUSC family.


To our CUSC coaches: we know how busy you are and we appreciate your focus and attention to help with development prior to the season.


To our CUSC families: thank you for being open, curious, and committed to this journey. We look forward to seeing how this partnership continues to evolve, and we hope you will take full advantage of everything WWPIS has to offer.


This is only the beginning.



Stay tuned for ore updates, and keep an eye out for the parent poral code, website page launch and future WWPIS engagement. For now we will include links at the end of the newsletter to both the WWPIS site as well as our July press release announcing the partnership.

Unsung Heroes


Our club could not survive without our team of unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes. In this edition we continue our series of articles on our Program Admins from each of our communities. We are excited to recognize and tell you more about David Yungblut, Program Administrator at CU Southeast.



Behind the Scenes at CUSE


If you've ever been involved with Cincinnati United Southeast (CUSE), chances are you've benefited—directly or indirectly—from the work of David Yungblut. For the past five years, David has served as Program Administrator at CUSE, playing a vital role in keeping the wheels turning for both boys and girls teams across that community. But like many great stories in youth sports, David’s journey began not behind a desk, but on the sidelines—as a soccer dad.



From Soccer Dad to Club Leader


David's first connection to Cincinnati United Soccer Club (CUSC) came through his daughters, who began playing with the club in the early 2000s. His 2000-born daughter played from U12 to U14, and his 2002-born daughter started even earlier, joining at U9 and continuing through U14.


“I started as a parent volunteer,” David recalls. “Eventually, I wanted to get more involved, so I joined the CU Southeast Board, helped with field setup, volunteered at tryout check-ins, and even coached my daughter’s team.”


That spirit of stepping up to help where needed hasn’t changed, even as David transitioned into a more permanent administrative role.



What a Program Administrator Really Does


Now five years into his role as CU Southeast Administrator, David is responsible for some of the most critical (and often invisible) functions of the club. These include but are not limited to:


  • Carding and rostering all CUSE teams
  • Supporting 40+ coaches and 40+ volunteer administrators
  • Providing help with team management logistics
  • Attending staff meetings
  • Collaborating with other club administrators across the CUSC system


It’s a role that requires attention to detail, patience, and a lot of communication—especially during seasonal transitions or system migrations.



The Challenges (and Triumphs) of Youth Soccer Administration


Like anyone who's been with the club for years, or indeed with one organization for a longer period of time, David has seen his share of changes. Facility access was, in David's opinion, a problem for a while, but he believes that "the club have done a great job of managing that issue". He also notes that system transitions (from Demosphere to Playmetrics and from Demosphere to GotSport on the OSA side) have created learning curves for staff, parents, and coaches alike, but with each challenge, David sees growth. “Our transitions from season to season keep improving. And as we’ve now had two years on Playmetrics and GotSport, I see things becoming more stable and organized.”


He also applauds the broader improvements in club structure and leadership: “Organizationally, we’re in a much better place. We’ve truly become one club, whereas in the past, there were noticeable divisions between CU North, CU South, and CUP.”



Standout Moments and the Joy of Travel Weekends


For David, it’s not all spreadsheets and scheduling. Some of his favorite memories involve tournament travel weekends, when his daughters’ teams would hit the road and bond over the game.


“Those weekends were special,” he says. “I loved watching the girls engage with one another and build real friendships. And I’ll never forget the great experience my 2002 daughter had during her trapped year, thanks to Coach Mike Haney. He made a real impact.”



Why He Keeps Showing Up


So, after all these years, what keeps David coming back?


“I’ve played and been around soccer all my life,” he says. “Being part of CUSC lets me stay involved in the game. I’ve always been drawn to the Mission, Vision, and Values of the club.”


That deep alignment with the club’s purpose is what makes David such a valuable leader—not just as an administrator, but as a mentor and example for others looking to make a difference.



Advice for Aspiring Youth Sports Leaders


David has some simple, powerful advice for anyone considering a role like his:


“Have an open mind and be engaged.”


Whether you're helping set up fields, coaching, or managing teams, engagement is everything. David’s journey proves that when you give your time and energy to a community, it gives back.



One Last Fun Fact...


Most people around the club know David as an administrator or in the past as a coach—but off the field, he’s a proud family man.


He and his wife Emily have been married for 32 years, and together they’ve raised four adult children: Jack (30), Sophie (27), Charlotte (25), and Lucy (22). Thanks to them for allowing David to contribute in the way that he does!



Final Thoughts


CUSE is lucky to have people like David Yungblut behind the scenes—dedicated, thoughtful, and motivated by a genuine love for the game and the people in it. His story is a great reminder that the strength of our club doesn’t just come from the players on the pitch, but from the countless volunteers, administrators, and parents who support them every step of the way.


Thank you, David, for everything you do for Cincinnati United Southeast and for the entire CUSC family.


Pictured below: David with his one of his daughter's teams in Gatlinburg in 2016; with his wife, kids and significant others; with one of his daughter's teams at a a Columbus Crew game in 2016.


WeCU


Thank you to everyone who has submitted content to us recently. Where appropriate, your content will be shared via our website, social media and other online channels.


Every newsletter will contain a selection of some of the photos you have shared with the club, just like the ones below.

Want to get see your kids, coach or team in the next edition?


Visit our Tell Your Story page or Email content@cincinnatiunitedsc.com.

Staff Spotlight


As well as our Coaches Corner piece higher up this page, we focus on one of our CUSC staff members every quarter. Read on to learn more about Alan Grothaus, CU Southeast Boys U8-U11 Age Group Director.

Name: Alan Grothaus


Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio


Tell us about your life away from the field:

My wife and I enjoy hiking, exercising and spending time with family, especially our two-year-old grandson.


When did you start coaching?

My first voluntary coaching assignment was when I was in high school. My first paid coaching position was in 1985 when I began coaching Milford high school boys varsity during my student teaching.


When did you join the club?

2012

 

What's your best memory on and off the field at the club?

Seeing the smiles and development of all of the players at training and games.


What is your role at the club currently?

I am the age group Director for Cincinnati United Southeast boys U8 through U11.


Can you tell us more about your role at CU Southeast and how it supports CUSC in general?
I hire the coaches for our teams, support the team administrators, and help the coaches and players with their development.


What is your favorite thing about your current role?
 I like getting to see players and coaches progress through the years of development at our club and beyond.


How has your role with CU Southeast changed over the years?
I started the club as just a trainer who would attend three or four games of each team that I would train. Parents would coach the teams during their games. Now every team has a full-time paid coach and I am now overseeing those paid coaches. My role has changed from working with a couple of teams to close to 30 teams.


Talk to us about some of the newer staff working at CU Southeast and how they differ from the coaches you worked with in the earlier years?

One big change is that my son, Ryan, has joined us as a coach for our youngest players. I have not had a family member coaching with me before. We are very lucky to attract experienced and licensed coaches like Erika True, Tom Eckart and Tim Sakelos. Erika has coached at the college level. Tom played college soccer at the University of Cincinnati and has coached at the high school varsity level. Tim has coached for many years and has his C license.


CUSC has evolved in many ways over the years as you know, but how do the current network of communities serve the larger mission today?The unity between our communities is greater than ever has been in the past. We are in constant communication with each other through meetings, phone calls and emails.


Each edition we focus on a CUPGOAL, and this time around it is LOVE. How does that translate to the youth soccer world for you? 

One of our club's values is love. This is shown by our coaches and players in their love for the game as well as each other. I see our coaches showing their love for the players in their positive comments to each player as they try to help them develop. I see the love of the game in the players as they smile and high five each other, as well as their coaches after a great success.


Thanks to Alan for for helping with our 'Staff Spotlight' feature and good luck to all CU Southeast U8-U11 Boys this year! We look forward to sharing more information on another CUSC staff member in the next edition. Please reach out to content@cincinnnatiunitedsc.com if you have a nomination!

Where are they now?


In this latest edition of our quarterly newsletter, we focus on CUSC alumni, Bennett Painter (2005).



From Cincinnati Roots to College Stardom


From his earliest days on the fields of Cincinnati United Premier (CUP) to scoring goals on the national stage at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), Bennett Painter's soccer journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the foundational role youth soccer plays in long-term development.


Now a standout forward for BGSU Falcons, Bennett is making waves in NCAA Division I soccer — but long before college accolades and national rankings, he was just a kid inspired by his older sister, Elle, chasing a ball around Cincinnati and discovering a lifelong love for the game.


“My sister Elle first got me into soccer,” Bennett says. “I ended up at CUP through friends and because it was a great club.”



A Homegrown Talent at CUP


For Bennett, CUP wasn’t just a stepping stone — it was a second home. He spent his entire youth career at Cincinnati United Premier, growing with the program and building lifelong memories with teammates and coaches.


“My experience was amazing,” he reflects. “I played there all my life, never felt like I wanted to leave. An old coach, Chris O’Neal, really influenced me and taught me soccer.”


That mentorship and competitive environment proved critical in preparing him for the next level.


“Playing at CUP prepared me for college by getting the speed of play and skill level as close as they could to the college level.”



Adjusting to Division I Soccer


That preparation helped, but the jump to Division I still posed its challenges.


“It was harder than I expected,” Bennett admits. “Everyone at the college level is bigger, faster, and more physical.”


His freshman year (2023) was a test of patience and resilience. Though he saw more limited minutes, he still managed to contribute three goals and two assists, earning a spot on the MVC All-Freshman Team.


One early breakout came in a 3-1 win over Drake, where he came off the bench to score two goals in just 40 minutes, including the game-winner.



Sophomore Surge: A Breakout Season


Bennett’s sophomore year (2024) saw him take a massive leap forward — and the college soccer world took notice.


He describes it as his "biggest highlight so far" and started all 20 matches, leading the team in goals (13), assists (4), and total points (30). He earned:


  • All-MVC Second Team
  • OCSA All-Ohio Second Team
  • TopDrawerSoccer Midseason Top 100 (No. 52)
  • MVC Offensive Player of the Week
  • TopDrawerSoccer National Team of the Week
  • MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award


He ranked 13th in the nation in total goals and 15th in total points, helping BGSU to multiple key wins, including victories over Michigan State, UIC, and #14 Western Michigan.



Defining Moments


Among many standout performances, one milestone performance came early in the 2024 season against Wright State. BGSU was down 2-0 before Bennett helped turn the game around:


“That first game of my sophomore fall season — that was a defining moment,” he says. “I scored a goal and created an own goal in that comeback win. That showed me I could be a difference-maker.”


Other highlights that year included a hat trick and two assists in one half vs. Detroit Mercy, game-winning goals vs. Northern Illinois, Michigan State, and UIC and consistent 90-minute performances as a team leader on the field.



2025 and Beyond


Now a junior in the 2025 season, Bennett was named to the Preseason All-MVC Team and entered the year ranked No. 42 on the Top Drawer Soccer.com Top 100 list. He continues to play significant minutes and score goals, including a season-opener goal vs. IU Indy and another at Wright State.


His development arc has him firmly on the radar for professional opportunities.


“I plan to play professional soccer,” he says confidently — and with his trajectory, that goal is entirely within reach.



Academic and High School Excellence


Bennett’s success extends beyond the pitch. A former National Honor Society member at Anderson High School, he’s pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering technologies at BGSU.


At Anderson, he was A United Soccer Coaches All-American, Two-time All-Ohio selection, Two-time Eastern Cincinnati Conference Player of the Year and Cincinnati & Southwest District Player of the Year, contributing 44 goals and 22 assists during that time.



Advice for the Next Generation


Despite his rising star status, Bennett remains grounded — and passionate about where it all began.


“I built a love for soccer because of CUSC,” he says. “Playing for CUSC shaped me to be the person I am today.”


To current youth players dreaming of college soccer, he offers honest advice:


“It’s a roller coaster of a process. There will be ups and downs, but you never know what will happen next or when you will break out.”


His personal role model? His father. And his favorite memories? The ones made with his CUP teammates.


“Any soccer trip I took with my team at CUP was a great memory,” he recalls.



From CUP to the Next Level


Bennett Painter’s story is far from over. But what’s already clear is this: the seeds of his success were planted on local fields in Cincinnati. His time at CUP instilled in him the technical skills, competitive mindset, and love for the game that carried him through college and now point toward the professional ranks.


CUSC Director of Soccer, Scott Bower, knows Bennett (or "BP") well, and states that "BP's pathway can serve as a powerful source of inspiration for many of our most aspirational players who may not currently be selected for the “top teams.” He is a clear example of a player who was not seen as a “current top performer” in the younger age groups — breaking into the Gold team at U12, a testament to his individual work".


His story is consistent with the club message that everyone develops at their own pace, and in reality he was still ahead of the usual trend- as Bower points out, "it's actually more common for our top U19 performers to have come from non-Gold teams during their U14 and younger teams".


Bennett Painter's development reminds us all that focus should be on long-term growth rather than short-term team status, and his journey is a reminder that the path to greatness starts close to home — and sometimes, all it takes is a sister, a soccer ball, and a dream.


- Thanks to Bennett for taking the time to reflect on his journey. There will be a link to Bennett's profile page on the BGSU website at the end of the edition, , in addition to his social media pages,  if you want to continue to follow his progress.

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What's next?


Here are some of the key dates on the CUSC calendar over the next 3 months:


  • CU Fall Finale 10/24 - 10/26 
  • CUP Girls Halloween Festival 
  • Supplemental Tryouts 11/3 week
  • Premier Futsal
  • Thanksgiving Camp
  • Also coming in 2026....CUP Boys College ID camp in February (contact ngracanin@cincinnatiunitedsc.com for early info or a discount)


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