Soccer Leadership
Head of Soccer Operations: Kiley Cirillo (kcirillo@ncfusion.org)
Kiley joined NC Fusion’s Soccer Staff in 2020 as a Classic Director and Coach after leading in both the college and youth levels for over 25 years. In his service to the organization, he currently manages all soccer leadership staff and the behind-the-scenes efforts (logistics) to ensure that your player and family’s experience is the best that it can be.
Technical Director + Head of Coaching Ed: Mark Simpson (msimpson@ncfusion.org)
With over 25 years of youth soccer coaching and leadership experience, Mark serves our soccer program with the intention of improving both teaching and soccer knowledge. He manages all curriculum development, coaching standards, mentorship, and on-field expectations. With his vast experience as Head of Soccer with TCYSA and his time spent on staff with Charlotte FC, he provides valuable oversight to our coaching and curriculum development.
Head of Recreation + ARL: Andrew Fleming (afleming@ncfusion.org)
There is no better leader for our Recreation players, coaches, and families than Andrew Fleming. While he has coached and led at all youth levels for +25 years, he has managed the Recreation program at NC Fusion for the last decade with next-level organization and care. He has and will continue to find new opportunities to ensure our players and volunteer coaches can thrive in the recreation environment.
Head of Juniors (formerly Junior Academy): Chip Eakes (ceakes@ncfusion.org)
The first step into competitive programming begins in our 8u-10u Juniors Program, and with Chip’s +20-year coaching and leadership career in the youth soccer space, our youngest players (and their coaches) will be well-equipped with organized, individual development and fun. His passion for competitive, quality environments will shine as he oversees this developmental stage. In addition, Chip will manage our Summer Camp Programming at all locations.
Head of Academy (9u-12u Pre-ECNL): Patrick Bridges (pbridges@ncfusion.org)
Focused leadership will shift in our highest level of programming for our 9u-12u players as Patrick takes the lead in this space. With an unparalleled passion to develop our youngest players tagged with a USSF A License and over 15 years of coaching and leadership experience with these specific ages, Patrick is set to care well for the boys’ and girls’ 9u Red, 10u Black, and 11u-12u Pre-ECNL players, teams, and families.
Head of Goalkeeping: Matt Deming (mdeming@ncfusion.org)
Joining NC Fusion’s staff this past Fall 2024 after serving as the Men’s Head Coach at the University of Cincinnati, Matt brings exceptional passion and experience to our goalkeeping space as he not only serves our GK players directly in coaching but ensures our staff coaches provide improved environments for our GKs and field players to excel collectively. Matt oversees the development of goalkeepers and GK staff at all competitive levels and ages.
Head of Classic East (Burlington/Greensboro): Edwin De La Cruz (edelacruz@ncfusion.org)
After earning his USSF A and spending several years coaching in the highest level of youth soccer, Edwin has shifted his time and attention to our Classic Program by leading and coaching over 4 years in NC Fusion’s Greensboro area. We’re thrilled to watch him expand his care and oversight into the surrounding areas of GSO as he focuses on the experience of our 11u-19u Classic level players and families while providing oversight and accountability to the coaching staff.
For our Burlington families, JP Strachan (jpstrachan@ncfusion.org) will continue to serve as Associate Head of Classic and coach in the Burlington space.
Head of Classic West (HPJ/Winston-Salem): Dominic Smith (dsmith@ncfusion.org)
Similar to Edwin, Dominic spent many years coaching in the highest level of youth soccer after earning his UEFA + USSF B and has since shifted to leading and coaching in the Classic space within Winston-Salem. Dominic has been intentional about his organization, communication with families, and accountability of coaches, and we are thrilled to see him expand his role into surrounding areas.
In addition, Eduardo Ulloa (eulloa@ncfusion.org) will continue to serve our HPJ Families as Associate Head of Classic – HPJ.
Head of 13u-19u ECNL RL (Boys + Girls): Steve Diamond (sdiamond@ncfusion.org)
Our steady ECNL RL Leader on the boys’ side for the past 5 years is stepping into an expanded role and will oversee both the boys’ and girls’ ECNL RL programs this upcoming year. Steve is a reliable, experienced leader with over 15 years of club work in the Triad and a USSF B license who cares deeply for this level of player and family with intention and consistency. Both the boys’ and girls’ 13u-19u RL programs will continue to thrive with his oversight.
Head of 13u-19u ECNL (Boys + Girls): TO BE ANNOUNCED – May 1st Start Date
As our current ECNL Families are aware, we are in a national search and active hiring phase for our future Head of ECNL. The expected announcement and start date for this new hire is May 1st.
In the meantime, John Pardini (jpardini@ncfusion.org) will continue to manage and lead the Girls’ ECNL Program and Chris Williams (cwilliams@ncfusion.org) will continue to serve as the Interim Head of Boys’ ECNL.
