The 2020 USL Experience, hosted by Birmingham Legion FC, is just over a month away. The event will bring together not only some of the top players from around Super Y League, but also some of the top coaches. Soccer Field Academy Owner and Lead Academy Coach James Field will bring tremendous coaching experience to USLX, and will serve as an excellent mentor for the event’s young players.

He holds a B License from UEFA (the governing body of European soccer) and an A License from the U.S. Soccer Federation, some of the highest coaching qualifications in the sport. Ahead of USLX, hear how Field got involved with Super Y, and how he plans to coach the U15/16 Boys team!

Q: How long have you been involved with Soccer Field Academy?

A: I have been involved with Soccer Field Academy for three-and-a-half years, since its inception.

Q: What is your background in soccer?

A: I worked for the Columbus Crew for seven years (most recently as the Academy Head Coach), and formerly as the USSDA U14 Academy Head Coach and USSDA U16 Academy Assistant Coach.

Q: What is unique about your coaching methods and the way you approach the game?

A: I believe in developing technically proficient and tactically astute players. To do that, I believe in creating a practice environment that is intensive, disciplined, and requires decision-making in most of our training exercises to continuously develop their tactical understanding of the game.

Q: Do you have a coach that you admire or try to emulate?

A: There is not one specific coach that comes to mind, other than the common ones. I try to take bits and pieces from several coaches, both grassroots and professional, in order to evolve my style.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about coaching at the USL Experience?

A: Interacting with players from an array of different backgrounds, challenging myself to bring them together collectively in a really short amount of time, and working with and observing other coaches.