Staff Directory

Lou Fusz Athletic

Operations
Soccer
Lacrosse
Football

Lou Fusz Athletic

Business Operations

Bio

After graduating from Georgetown University, Dan capped a 12 year professional soccer career with multiple championships and an MLS Cup with the LA Galaxy. The Philadelphia native has built more than 17 years in the professional soccer industry.

Licenses

USSF National B License

Daniel Gargan

Managing Director

Bio

Maggie, a valued member of the LFA team for six years, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role. With a Masters in Accounting, Maggie’s skills contribute to the organizations success. Maggie is a St. Louis University Soccer Alumni.

Licenses

Coming soon

Maggie Saffle

LFA Controller

Bio

Ren brings over a decade of youth sports experience to LFA. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Missouri Baptist University and coaches the Blue Star 12 and 13 girls teams.

Licenses

USSF C – License

Ren Herzog

Director of Athletic Programming

Bio

Coming soon

Licenses

USSF – Grassroots

Caitlin Carr

Club Administrator

Bio

Matt is a seasoned leader in youth soccer with over a decade of experience in the St. Louis area. He brings an abundance of knowledge and passion to his role within the club. Matt coaches the Blue Star 11 GA team and the Red Star Kaiser 16 girls team. He is a graduate of Columbia College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Licenses

USSF A – License
USSF – Director of Coaching

Matt Mueller

Director of Coaching and Competition

Bio

Christy, with 26 years of youth soccer experience, is a cornerstone of expertise at LFA. Armed with an Associate of Applied Science in Business Adminstration and a suite of US Soccer licenses including F, Y and Foundations of Coaching, Christy’s dedication to shaping youth sports is unmatched.

Licenses

USSF Grassroots

Christy Dake

Administrative Operations Director

Bio

Coming soon

Licenses

USSF A – License

Franco Carotenuto

Director of Tournaments & Events

Bio

Coming soon

Licenses

USSF Grassroots

Kelly Dowling

Backpost and Team Store Manager

Bio

Coming soon

Licenses

USSF Grassroots

Charlene Johnson

Events Manager

Bio

Coming soon

Licenses

USSF Grassroots

Tammy Quinn

Accountant

Bio

Hannah joins the team from KU, where she spent 2 years in Kansas Athletics as the Social Media Manager and Communications Director for Kansas Volleyball and Track & Field. Prior to this, Hannah was the Coordinator of Athletics Communications at Lindenwood. She graduated from Missouri Baptist University (’21) and was a captain on the MBU women’s soccer team.

Licenses

Coming soon

Hannah Leahy

Community Engagement Manager

Bio

Graduating from Maryville University with an MBA, Jonathan has extensive experience creating content and marketing within the world of athletics. Gaining experience with the St. Louis Blues, Battlehawks, and Maryville University Athletic Teams.

Licenses

Coming soon

Jonathan Carney

Community Content Lead

Bio

Coming soon

Licenses

USSF Grassroots

Paola Soto

Lead Graphic Designer

Soccer Operations

Bio

Herb is a graduate of St Louis Community College Florisant Valley and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role as Rookies Director.

Licenses

USSF – B License
KNVB – Youth License

Herb Schuler

Director of Rookies & STAR Programs

Bio

Coach Chen, the longest-tenured coach at LFA, is a beacon of mentorship and leadership. He coaches the Red Star Copa 2014, 2013 and 2012 girls teams and continues to be a positive impact on the field. Chen has his Bachelor’s in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics.

Licenses

USSF C – License

Chen Zakaria

Director of Juniors

Bio

Aaron leads multiple girls’ teams, including Red Star Copa 2015G, Red Star Tango 2015G, Red Star Ace 11G and Blue Star Liga 10G. With a Bachelor of Arts from Missouri State University and certifications as an Ace Personal Training and Group Exercise Instructor, Aaron brings expertise and dedication to every session.

Licenses

USSF D License

Aaron Crall

Director of Seniors

Licenses

USSF D – License

Chad Otec

Girls Academy Manager

Licenses

Coming soon

Cameron Paton

DPL Platform League Manager

Bio

Sean, a dedicated member of the LFA team for over 7 years, brings a wealth of experience to his teams, Blue Star Premier 2011 and 2012 boys. With a master’s in Sports Management, Sean’s passion for the game and commitment to player development show on and off the field.

Licenses

USSF C – License

Sean Taylor

NAL Platform Manager/Fusz Foundations Director

Licenses

Coming soon

Marcus Watt

LFA GA Player Development Manager

Licenses

Coming soon

Santiago Castillo Venegas

Manager of Soccer Development

Licenses

Coming soon

Megan Christian

Girls MADL Platform Manager/Girls Futures Director

Bio

Scott holds a USSF B license and has an impressive array of certifications including the USC Club Leader Diploma and the USC Director of Coaching Diploma. As a coach of the Blue Star Major 08 girls and Blue Star Championship 10 girls, he fosters a culture of success on and off the field.

Licenses

USSF B License

Scott McCall

Age Group Director/Platform Manager

Licenses

USSF D License

Tom Fuller

Goalkeeping Director

Licenses

Coming soon

Casey Beran

LFA South Coordinator/Little Lous Director

Bio

Jake graduated from Missouri Baptist University with his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master’s in Sports Management. Jake coaches the Blue Star Premier 10 and 09 boys team. His passion for athletics drive his commitment to excellence on the field.

Licenses

USSF B – License

Jake Smith

LFA National Academy League Manager

Licenses

Coming soon

Eric Rossitch

DPL Staff Coach/Prospective Girls Manager

Licenses

USSF D – License

Chris Gomez

Juniors Blue Star Director

Licenses

Coming soon

Dave Fernandez

LFA NAL Staff Coach & Fusz Foundations Technical Director

Licenses

Coming soon

Madeline Applewhite

Girls Prospects Director

Licenses

Coming soon

Yaheed McCurry

Athletic Operations Manager

Licenses

Coming soon

Ross Wilson

LFA Sports Performance Coach

Licenses

USSF D License

Matt Smith

9v9 Boys Liaison/Age Group Director

Licenses

Coming soon

Eric Lurtz

LFA Staff Coach/Hawks FC Director

Licenses

Coming soon

Andrew Stuhlman

LFA Staff Coach

Licenses

Coming soon

Yaztin Chaidez

LFA Staff Coach

Licenses

Coming soon

Brandon Baumgartner

LFA Staff Coach

Licenses

Coming soon

Lillian Ruckaberle

LFA Staff Coach

Lacrosse Operations

Licenses

Coming soon

Andrew Spillars

LFA Lacrosse Director

Bio

Katie is a graduate of Central Michigan University and a member of the inaugural Division 1 women’s lacrosse team (2016). Her lacrosse career started in St. Louis and she has been a part of the sport’s growth in the Midwest for the last 12 years. Katie currently coaches our 2027 Blue Star Girls team and oversees all of the operations on the girls’ side. She is passionate about developing not only elite players but strong, capable, and determined young women on and off the field.