Coaches Corner

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

Name: Ben Josiah

Place of Birth: Danville, VA

Tell us about your life away from the field:

Away from soccer I spend a lot of time with friends and family as well as doing a lot of hobbies since I really enjoy learning new things. Recently I’ve started learning French, golf, and chess.

When did you start coaching?

I started coaching early 2021 while at Ohio State. I started coaching Pre-K aged kids through SoccerShots and landed a job with a club team later that same year in Columbus.

When did you join the club?

I joined CUP in the fall of 2023.
 

Teams you coached this past season?

Last year I coached the CUP 13B Black & 12B Silver teams. Next year I’ll lead the CUP 13B & CUP 11B Silver teams.

What inspired you to become a coach?

It’s always been important to me to stay close to things that make you feel alive. Coaching has allowed me to stay involved with the game I love while working alongside a supportive coaching staff and with incredible players. My goal is to one day be on staff at a professional club.

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

My favorite memory off the field is hearing from parents about how my coaching has improved their player’s confidence on and off the field as they’re growing into themselves and learning the game. My favorite memory on the field was winning the President's Cup last year with my

CUP 13B North & CUP 12B North teams.

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

Ambition relates to the youth soccer world because here at CUP even though we’re working with youth players, it’s a big commitment for them and we demand a lot out of them because we can see the talent that they all possess. We encourage all of our players to build good habits

and set high standards for themselves knowing they will reap the benefits of their hard work with success on and off the field.

Funniest moment as a coach?

During my first year as a coach I put my usual goalkeeper out on the field because it was our last game of the season. All was well until he forgot he wasn’t playing goalie and ended up giving away a penalty because he got confused and picked up the ball in our box. All the parents, players, and referees had a good laugh about it!

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

My biggest mentors have been my parents who moved here to give a better life for me and my siblings. I owe them a lot for my successes and am happy they’re able to see me pursue my dreams.

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

I would advise any new coach to learn as much as they can about the game by watching games,

reading books, and listening to other coaches. I’d also encourage them to just enjoy the ride.

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

My favorite club team is Arsenal FC and I also support Ghana National team & USMNT
 

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

Outside of soccer I watch a lot of sports but my favorite is Basketball. I’m a big Memphis Grizzlies fan and used to live there before moving to Cincinnati.
 

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

Both my parents were born in Ghana and I’m the youngest of 3 siblings.

Tell us a little more about the new role you will be starting with the club and how you feel your journey so far with CUSC has prepared you to start this next chapter?
Next season I’ll be stepping into a leadership position at the club as the new USYS Director for the CUP Boys U13-U19 Silver & Red teams competing in the USYS NL next season. My responsibilities will include:

• Supporting coaching staff
• Facilitating program-wide communication and planning
• Creating a collaborative culture among coaches, players, and parents
• Aligning all teams under shared developmental and game model principles
  

Thanks to Ben for his responses listed above. Given Ben will be moving into his new role this summer, we also asked CUSC Director of Soccer, Scott Bower for his thoughts:

Ever since Coach Ben joined the club, he’s brought nothing but positive energy to our staff. His passion for coaching and player development is evident in everything he does. Ben has done a tremendous job with his teams and is always eager to learn, grow, and put new ideas into practice. Beyond the field, he’s even been known to help some of our more “established” staff figure out how to use their phones — haha! We’re proud of his rapid growth as a coach and excited to see him thrive in his new leadership role. Ben is a great example of the leadership pathway available to coaches within our club, and we’re lucky to have him on our team!

Congrats to Ben, and to all CUSC staff on a similar pathway as we head towards the 2025/26 season. Nominations for the next edition of Coaches Corner can be emailed to content@cincinnnatiunitedsc.com.

Unsung Heroes

Our club could not survive without our team of unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes. In this edition we will begin the first in a series of articles on our Program Admins from each of our communities. We are excited to recognize and tell you more about Tiffany Bruce, current MLS NEXT Club Admin for CUP Boys. Quotes from Lisa to be added

From Sidelines to Center Stage

Tiffany’s CUSC story started back in 2010 when her son William, then just 8 years old, joined CU Monroe. Like many parents, she began as a supportive mom on the sidelines. But by the 2016–2017 season— coinciding with the first year of the USYS birth year age group format— Tiffany stepped up as a volunteer team administrator for William’s U14 CUP team. That “small” volunteer role quickly evolved into a consistent and critical presence.

“I continued as a volunteer admin for the 2003 age group through U18,” she recalls. “Even after my son graduated, I stayed on to support the U19 season.” Her gift for organization and clear communication caught the attention of club leadership. In 2018, Scott Bower invited Tiffany to join the club’s administrative team for the Boys Academy, which was then known as the DA (Development Academy). “I think it was my consistency— or obsession, really— with coach and team communication,” she laughs.

Since then, Tiffany has served as a club admin for the CUP Boys top tier teams, which these days compete in MLS NEXT. She brings the structure, organization and behind-the-scenes coordination and support that helps our coaches and boys focus on events on the field.

A Family Woven Into the Club

The Bruce family’s connection to CUSC is as deep as it is wide. Tiffany’s son William played his entire club career with CU/CUP from U8 to U19. He was a familiar face amongst volunteers giving back to the club at Juniors sessions and camps for the younger ages, and he even took part in the 2017 PUMA BVB Germany trip— an experience Tiffany remembers fondly. Today, William competes at the NCAA Division I level, a journey that took root in his first steps on the field with CU.

Tiffany’s husband Earl also found his place in the club, first as an assistant coach for William’s U8 team at CU Monroe, and later volunteering to lead a third-tier Monroe squad simply so that every kid could have a chance to play. “William was on the top-tier team then, but Earl stepped up when no one else did,” Tiffany notes. Earl also refereed at CUSC events, helping fill another essential role in the youth soccer ecosystem.

Though their daughter chose a different path as a gymnast and musician, the Bruce family’s story is inseparable from the fabric of Cincinnati United. “CUSC was such a big part of our lives,” Tiffany says. “It still is.”

Memories That Last a Lifetime

Of course, Tiffany’s role has involved its share of emails, spreadsheets, and schedule juggling, but what stands out to her are the relationships and the memories.

“One of my favorites was the Disney Showcase over Thanksgiving,” she shares. “I had been able to get our team set up in condos through the required tournament travel agency. We coordinated and cooked a full Thanksgiving meal, then all gathered at one of the condo, bringing extra chairs and tables, and had a family Thanksgiving meal for about 50.”

Another cherished tradition? Mother’s Day games. “The boys would hand out flowers to all the moms, and in the early years it often fell during State Cup. One year, they won on Mother’s Day. That was a pretty great gift.”

Tiffany’s sense of purpose has always centered around connection. “Those road trips, those shared meals, the time in hotel lobbies with other parents—we made real memories.”

Quiet Strength Through Challenges and Change

Tiffany’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Balancing a full-time job as a Cardiac ICU nurse— at the same hospital for 28 years, no less— with her responsibilities as club admin requires grit and time management, especially during peak registration season.

“Peak registration season is especially tricky,” she says. “And I’ve never been the most tech-savvy person. Every time a new platform rolls out, I just dive in and figure it out. I still prefer Google over Excel,” she jokes.

She’s also witnessed—and adapted to—substantial changes in the youth soccer landscape. From the restructuring of league formats and club silos, to the merging of Ohio South and Ohio North, to the growth of the MLS NEXT and Girls Academy platforms, Tiffany has helped CUP Boys navigate an ever-evolving environment. “The club has grown a lot. The badge, the colors, even the territory we reach—it’s all changed.”

But through it all, Tiffany has remained a steady presence, guided by a strong sense of loyalty. “My son grew up here. The coaches, teammates, and families helped shape the young man he is today. I stay because I want to help other families have the same experience.”

That loyalty goes beyond forms and travel logistics. On more than one occasion, Tiffany has gone to players’ homes to help families struggling with registration or computer access. As we all know, sometimes you just need someone to sit with you and walk through it!

Beyond The Admin Role

There’s more to Tiffany than spreadsheets and scheduling and she was kind enough to tell us a little more about her personal life. She’s been married to her high school sweetheart, Earl, for nearly 30 years, and as noted above she works fulltime as a Cardiac ICU nurse. During college, she served as team manager for the inaugural Division I women’s soccer team at the University of Evansville. She has a dog named Rigby, a love of ‘80s music, and a passion for photography and memory-keeping.

“I’ve made Shutterfly photobooks for all of William’s CU/CUP teams,” she says. “Every player got one. I love capturing memories like that.”

If she’s not at a soccer field or the hospital, she'll no doubt be finding a way to play her part in ensuring the club continues to create everlasting memories for all our members.

Thanks to Tiffany for sharing her story with us and allowing us to shine the spotlight on someone who doesn't seek it. From volunteer team admin to indispensable MLS NEXT club administrator, she’s helped build a stronger community at CUSC. Her impact is reflected in every organized trip, every thankful parent, and every player who felt a little more supported along the way.

For all of that and more, we’re proud to call her one of CUSC’s Unsung Heroes, and are grateful that she will be playing a key part in the MLS NEXT expansion, as CUP Boys increases its participation to all U13-U19 Gold and Black teams for 2025/26.

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 Gary Gayle, Technical Director at our newest community, CU Northwest.

Name: Katrin Kaarna

Place of Birth: Tartu, Estonia

Tell us about your life away from the field:

I enjoy spending time outdoors when I can (hiking, biking, snowboarding in the winter) but also watching a movie, reading books.

When did you start coaching?

I got my first coaching experience when I was a senior in high school but have been coaching consistently since my 2nd year at the University when I started a girl's program at a local club.

When did you join the club?

I joined CUP in November 2023.

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

The best memory on the field is from last year's Champions Cup Finals when CUP U19 girls started the half-time talk with the U13s in their semi-final game as the coaching staff was talking through the next steps. That was a great leadership moment by the older players, passing on their knowledge and experience to the younger players.

What is your role at the club currently?

I am the CUP Girls Academy Director.

Can you tell us more about the work you have been doing over the last year or so with the Girls Academy and how this part of the club is changing? 
One of the biggest changes for CUP is our second pathway becoming a fulltime Girls Academy league member, which provides more players and coaches with the opportunity to compete at the highest level. This is a great testament for the club as a whole, and the work that the CUSC Staff and players have done over the years to reach this. We added the Recruiting Coordinator and the DarkHorse platform (video analysis and support in creating highlight reels) to support the players' college recruitment process. We are continuously working with the staff to continue to improve the training and playing environments.

Where do you see the Girls Academy and CUP Girls in general in one year? 
We have further plans to enhance athletic performance as well as technical and tactical development to continue competing at the highest level and to keep raising the bar.

What are your favorite parts of being involved with the older girls at the club? 
I enjoy working with the girls and seeing their growth and development over time as we help them achieve their goals.

How do you feel that CU, CUP Girls and the GA support each other in the overall mission of CUSC? 
All support the love for the game and growth as players and people. The Girls Academy League Advisory Panel, which is a unique player-led group, gives the players the opportunity to serve the community off the field and inspires players to lead and serve as role models to drive change and growth.

Each edition we focus on a CUPGOAL, and this time around it is OWNERSHIP. How does that translate to the youth soccer world for you? 
Ownership is an important part of growth and development - setting goals and then working towards them, taking initiative and responsibility for their own actions on and off the field, learning from mistakes.

Thanks to Kat for her continued work and for helping with our 'Staff Spotlight' feature. 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!

What's next?

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

• Summer Camps [various to be added with link to that page]
• Preseason CU Camps dates tbd and also different for North vs Southeast? How about NW?
• MLS NEXT preseason camp (August 8-10)
• Preseason Coaches Meeting (August 11)
• CU and CUP practices begin (August 12)
• CU Friendlies Festival (August 16-17)
• Party on the Pitch tournament (August 23-25)
• Bradford Cup tournament (September 13-14) NAME CHANGE TO The Buckeye September Showdown
  

Are there links you were looking for that were mentioned above? (ALL TBD)

• High School Honors
• Additional Programs Guide
• MLS NEXT Announcement
• Girls Academy Announcement
• Beacon Orthopaedics