Steve was born and grew up in Lurgan Northern Ireland, before coming to the United States in 1993 on a soccer scholarship to UNC Greensboro. While in Ireland, Steve had a lot of success playing at the youth level, including multiple tournament victories in N. Ireland and Scotland with Dungannon Swifts, as well as winning the N. Ireland youth cup with club team Portadown. Steve also represented his country by playing for Northern Ireland at the youth and schoolboy U15-U18 level. Steve carried his success all the way to UNC Greensboro by being named team MVP his freshman year with the Spartans. Steve was then named team captain and led the Spartans to two conference championship titles, as well as three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Steve began his coaching career as a Director of Coaching at High Country Soccer Association in Boone, NC, before moving to Charlotte Soccer Club. He spent three years as a Director of Coaching for Charlotte Soccer Club, working with 11-14 year olds. He then moved down to Louisiana for a year working closely with the Executive Director as the Girls Director of Coaching for New Orleans Soccer Academy. In his second stint with Charlotte Soccer Club, Steve was a Director of Coaching overseeing all ages and programs at the club. After a couple years in Charlotte, Steve transitioned from youth soccer to the college game, being named the Men’s Assistance Coach at UNC Wilmington. In Wilmington, Steve was apart of two CAA regular season Conference Championships, a CAA Conference Tournament Championship, an NCAA Tournament appearance, and named NSCAA Regional Assistance Coach of the Year.  After three years as an Assistance Coach with a top notch Division 1 program, Steve and his family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida where he was named the Men’s Soccer Head Coach at Eckerd College. In his second season in charge, Steve guided the Tritons to their first winning season since 1984.

 Steve holds his NSCAA National Diploma, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, NSCAA Premier Diploma, and USSF “B” License and has been a member of the LA and NC ODP staff. Steve joined Charlotte United in the summer of 2014. Steve brings a plethora of experience and knowledge, as well as a winning attitude to Charlotte United. 

Description:

Charlotte United Futbol Club is pleased to announce John Pietak, one of Charlotte area’s most highly regarded and experienced youth soccer trainers and coaches, as Technical Director. 

John is a former 1981 high school Parade and McDonald’s First Team All-American from Greece Arcadia High School in Rochester, NY where he led the Titans to the NYSHAA 3A State Championship and top high School ranking as offensive MVP.  John started as a freshman for the 1982 defending NCAA Division I National Champions UConn Huskies before transferring to Catawba College in Salisbury, NC where he became a three-time NAIA All-American leading the Indians to three consecutive SAC 8 Conference and District 26 Championships.  John received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education from Catawba College in 1988 and a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Columbia International University in 1992.  

John is a professional educator with over 20 years of successful club coaching and player development experience working with both boys and girls at every level of competitive soccer.  In 2002, John founded Creative Player, Inc. a highly successful SKILLS mastery and coaching educational model for youth soccer development.  He recently, collaborated with his Creative Player partner Daniel Araujo form Uruguay, South America to establish the Creative Player Soccer Learning Center and Sports Foundation in the city of Charlotte, NC and introduce DMAC Futbol a modern soccer training methodology featuring dynamic movement and coordination for the modern game! 

John will work closely with CUFC youth coaches and staff to oversee player development specifically targeting ages 7 – 12 the key technical development years of young emerging soccer players. 

It is with great enthusiasm we welcome John to his new position as Technical Director with CUFC.  John will begin his new position beginning at Tryouts in May.

Description:

Bryan joined Charlotte United in 2005.  Bryan came to the United States in 1990 and settled with his family in Milwaukee, WI.  From 1990 - 1993, he was the Director of Coaching for the Milwaukee Kickers SC, a club with a soccer membership of nearly 10,000 players.  From 1995 - 2002, Bryan was a staff coach for Region II ODP,  During this tenure, he coached a Region II team to victory in Milan, Italy playing club eams such as Lazio, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Torino.  From 1996 - 2001, Bryan was an Assistant Coach for the Marquette University Men's team.  From 2001 - 2002, He was the Assistant Director of Coaching for the Wisconsin State Soccer Association.  In 2002, Bryan moved to West Virginia, where he was the Director of Coaching for the West Virginia State Soccer Association.

Bryan has earned numerous qualifications, which include:
    - FA Treatment of Injury Certificate
    - FA Full Badge (Lilleshall National Sports Center)
    - USSF “A” License
    - USSF National Youth License (specific to coaching ages 7-11)
    - UEFA “A” Award

Andrew is the U13-U14 Girls/Boys Director and is in his 5th year as a member of the Charlotte United Staff.  Andrew was born in Fayetteville, NC in 1985 where he played club soccer for the Fayetteville Force. Andrew then moved to Newbury, England where he played both soccer and rugby for St. Bartholomew's preparatory school. After a three year stint in England, Andrew moved to Charlotte, NC. After playing for South Mecklenburg High School and captaining the side his senior year he was recruited to play at UNC- Pembroke.

At UNCP, Andrew was a member of the 2004 NCCA Final Four team. Andrew was a two time all conference and all region performer at UNCP playing multiple positions in his time there. Andrew graduated in 2009 with a Bachelors Degree in Exercise and Sports Science.

Andrew holds a NSCAA Advanced Regional Dipolma

Catey Stewart is entering her 4th year at Charlotte United.  She is currently the Director of the Elite Academy and U11/U12 Girls Classic Program.  Catey played collegiately for Catawba College where she was 2 time South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year and All American.  She scored 59 goals throughout her career and is currently still the record holder for most goals scored in the program’s history.   In 2013 Catey was inducted into the South Atlantic Conference’s Hall of Fame and in 2014 she was inducted into Catawba College’s Hall of Fame.

Catey began her coaching career in 2001 at High Point University as the Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach.  In 2007, she moved on to be an assistant director of coaching at Twin City Youth Soccer Association in Winston Salem, NC and was there until 2012 when she came to Charlotte United.  Since being at Charlotte United, Catey has worked with players ranging from U10-U15. 

Catey is currently the Director of the Elite Academy Program and the Director of Coaching for the U11-U12 Girls Program.

Description:

Ian grew up in South Yorkshire, England and came to the U.S. in 1989 to play college soccer at UNC Charlotte. While there, he captained the team during the 1992 and ’93 seasons. In 1992, he received both the team’s “Most Valuable Player Award” and also the “David Schlee Award” for showing the most desire to succeed. Ian was also an “Academic All American Scholar Athlete” and a UNC Charlotte “Outstanding Senior” in 1993.

He is currently in his twentieth year as an 8th grade English teacher, varsity coach, and student advisor at Charlotte Country Day School (CCDS). During his time at CCDS he has received the “Faculty Exceptional Performance Award” in 2000, and the “Carl Bolick Coach’s Award” in 2001. As coach of both the varsity boys’ and girls’ teams, he has been recognized three times as the North Carolina Independent Schools’ “Coach of the Year.” His girls’ team has played in three state championship games, winning in 2006.

Ian received his USSF ‘A’ License in 2005 and the USSF “Bob McNulty Award” for his commitment to teaching the game in 2003. He served as CUFC’s first girls’ program director from 1997-2002 and coached the program’s first girls’ team, then known as the USRSA Lightening ‘82’s from 1997-2001.

~~Jay Aebert joined Charlotte United in 2004.

Jay was born and raised in Hamburg Germany and came to Charlotte to work with Mercedes Benz. He played Club soccer starting at 7 years old and was a member of the U16 - U19 State Selection Teams and played as a semi-professional in Germany.

Jay started coaching in Germany for his Club when he was 19 years old. As a coach he won the district championship with his U11 boys team and also coached an adult team. Jay has coached Challenge, Classic and Academy Teams U9 - U14 for Charlotte United.

After years of part time coaching with Charlotte United, Jay is looking forward to being a full time staff member of the Club. Jay has worked with the CUFC Academy in the past three years and had great success helping the the children to reach their full potential in soccer.

Jay currently holds the USSF National Youth License and the USSF National C License.

The author and originator of Creative Player’s DMAC Futbol soccer learning system and a native of Montevideo, Uruguay, Araujo began his soccer career at an early age – reaching the professional ranks in 1991 when he debuted with first division Central Español FC of Montevideo (in Uruguay).

Araujo joined Sportivo Italiano in Montevideo in 1993, and moved on in 1995 to ADET FC in San Salvador, El Salvador. Two years later, Araujomoved to Colombia, where he joined Deportivo Pasto. He retired in 1998, his last stop being with the Connecticut Wolves in USISL’s A League.

Araujo’s soccer career as a non-player started with a coaching stint, as he accepted the position of Director of U.S. markets for the Mexican first division club Atlante FC. He was later recruited to serve as the Director of Operations for Puntarenas FC, a first division professional club in Costa Rica, where he developed a successful track record managing the club’s operations, scouting, and talent development.

Affiliated FIFA agent, Araujo he has a wealth of experience in placing professional players in markets around the world, including Europe and Asia. As an agent, Araujohas led contract negotiations as well as provide consulting services to other soccer clubs and players. As of late, Araujo has placed two UNC Charlotte players and former Orlando City player, Sydney Rivera into the roster of Puerto Rico FC.

Araujo’s consulting has extended to wide pool of MLS teams, including Chivas USA, L.A. Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas. Araujo, who also served as a liaison in arranging international matches around the U.S. and overseas, has also worked with the Orange County Blues of the USL Pro Soccer League.

As Technical Director and Curriculum Specialist for Creative Player Sports, Inc., Araujo passionately shares his knowledge and expertise with Charlotte youth players. In 2014, he took on the role of Executive Director of Palmetto United FC in Fort Mill, S.C., implementing the Creative Player Learning System and training methodology, bringing the necessary tools for effective player development.

In August 2014, Araujo secured Liverpool FC’s international schools to conduct its first U.S. youth summer camp at PUFC’s fields in Fort Mill, S.C.

A gifted teacher and motivator, Araujo also plays an active role in the community, serving on the board of directors for the Harris YMCA and Communities In Schools (CIS) in Charlotte. He is also part of Johnson C. Smith University’s External Multicultural Advisory Council and served as Vice Chair at the Latin American Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee.  Araujo has served on the board of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce as well as the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.  

In late 2014, Araujo, who coaches the Boys U15 Region III and U9 Boys Gold Team at Palmetto United FC, co-launched the Creative Player Sports Foundation to empower urban and underprivileged children and build character through soccer. He is an active volunteer at Ashley Park  K-8 and Huntingtowne Farms Elementary schools.

When he’s not coaching, teaching and volunteering, Araujo enjoys playing tennis, traveling and spending time with his wife, Grisel, and their two children, Carolina and Bruno.

Charlotte Soccer Club - State Cup final 4

East Mecklenburg High School - All-South, All-Region, All-Conference and All-State, Conference and Regional Player of the year. State Finalist in 2004/2005 season. East/West All-Star Games. 

Pfeiffer University - All-Region, All-Conference for 2007,2008 and 2009 seasons. Ranked Nationally in assists in 2009. Pfeiffer was Ranked 13th in the nation in 2009. 

Professionally Development League - Virginia Beach Piranhas during 2010 season.

Started my coaching career with Charlotte Soccer Academy then moved to Greensboro United where I have coached teams from a variety age group from U9 Academy Girls to u17 classic boys.
 

Matt played two years of professional soccer for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO), where he recorded multiple USL PRO Team of the Week honors.  He played four years of Division 1 college soccer for High Point University, where he was the team captain and team MVP. He was named NSCAA/Adidas South Atlantic All-Region Third Team, as well as First-Team All Big South. He set HPU's Division 1 Career Record for Assists. He was Big South player of the week, as well as named to the Big South All-Tournament team. He was a Millis Scholar Athlete, and played PDL for the Carolina Dynamo. He Graduated High Point University with a BA in Marketing.  

Matt has coached at the Winston-Salem Twins, as well as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. He has been on multiple summer camp staff's, including Wake Forest University, High Point University, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and the Winston Salem Twins. He holds his USSF 'E' Coaching License.  

Matt grew up in Winston-Salem, NC playing club soccer for the Winston-Salem Twins and Greensboro Soccer Club. He was a member of the NC ODP team, and played Super Y League for the Greensboro Dynamo. He was an All-Region selection at RJ Reynolds High School.