Meet Our Staff
We are here to provide you and your family with the best youth soccer experience possible! We are proud to bring you a group of highly accomplished coaches and administrators. Read the bios below to learn more about our coaching staff.
Durval Pereira Jr. (DJ)
Director of Coaching and Methodology
Durval (DJ) has been with Cheshire Soccer Club since 2013 and officially starting the CSC United program in 2015. He is a former NCAA Div. 1 (Quinnipiac) and Div. 2 (New Haven) Men's Coach and holds his USSF A License as well as his United Soccer Coaches Advanced Director of Coaching Diploma. DJ coached and studied in Barcelona, Spain where he received his Master's in High Performance Soccer and Scouting with the prestigious MBP School of Coaches. He studied and worked with clubs in Catalunya. DJ also was an MLS NEXT Coach for Beachside SC working with the age groups 12 to U23 over the past 5 years. He currently implements the MBP Methodology to help players gain a better understanding of how to play the game through implementation and coaching education.
As a player Coach Pereira was a member of the U15/U17 US National Team and was recruited as Top Drawer Soccer top 50 players for the class of 2008. DJ was a graduate of CHS where he was the first soccer All-American, CJSA Player of the Year, 2x All New England, 3x All Area MVP and Conference player. He played for Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) in their Academy as well as Oakwood SC (CT) from 2004 to 2008. DJ went on to play at Quinnipiac University for 3 years. The former Bobcat Captain left to pursue a professional career in Portugal in the 2nd division. He has also played in the USL, USL2 in the US for several teams. Durval was inducted in the CHS Hall of Fame in 2020.
Shane Recklet
Director of Sports Performance and Individual Player Development
Shane was orginally with the club in 2014 as one of the founding coaches of the CSC United program. He returned in 2022 to be apart of the program once again. Shane holds a USSF A License and is a former NCAA Men's Coach at the Div. 1 (Quinnipiac,CCSU) and Div. 2 (Bridgeport) levels. He has coached in the MLS NEXT league for both Beachside SC (CT) and Oakwood SC (CT) from the ages of 13 to 19.
Coach Shane is a Shelton, CT native, was a 4 year Varsity starter and team Captain at SHS being named All-American, 2x All-State, and 3x All- Area Team selections. Graduated from Quinnipiac University as a 4 year starter and being named team Captain in both his Junior and Senior years, 2x All- Conference (NEC) and 1x All- Regional Team Selection (NCAA). Post College Shane played professional in Germany and in Hungary at the Regionaliga and Second Division levels. He finished his career in the USL before pursing his coaching licenses.
Derek Parker
Girls Director 7v7 & Head Coach CSC United 2014, 2013 Girls
Derek has been involved with Cheshire Soccer Club since 2016 and the CSC United program since 2019. He has coached the CSC United Juniors program and teams from ages U9-U19. Derek has his USSF C level license and has been an integral part in building the grassroots CSC United programs on the girls side.
As a player Derek played and captained Cromwell High School where he was a 3-time all-Conference and All-State player. He led his team to a State Championship in 2013 and Conference Championship in 2014. Derek is the top 3 player in career points and assists in Cromwell High School history. As a player, Derek was a standout player and captain for CFC United from 2011-2015. As a team, they won the CJSA State Cup four years in a row and won numerous regional and national tournaments across the country. Derek went on to play at Quinnipiac University where he was an integral part to their defense and Captain his Senior year. He won the MAAC regular season title in 2016 and helped bring the Bobcats to 2 MAAC Championship Finals.
Stephen Castellon
Head Coach - CSC Travel 2008,2007 Boys
Coach Steve has coached for Cheshire Soccer Club since 2018 working with the U14 to U19 District Travel Teams. He won a State Championship with the Boys U16 team in 2022 and is currently the Assistant Coach at Johns Hopkins in New Haven. Steve has a USSF D license.
Steve is a former player at Notre Dame West Haven High School and a standout player at College of Mount St. Vincent in NY. Coach Steve has worked with several organizations along the Connecticut Shoreline, such as his hometown in Branford, before moving to Cheshire. Steve was a former player for South Central Premier during their stella stint in the 90s.
Anthony Russo
Cheshire SC District Travel Teams Coordinator
Coach Russo has been with Cheshire Scocer Club since 2015 where he worked primarily with the District Travel program teams from ages U10 to U19. He began his coaching career in North Haven and currently holds a USSF D License as well as his Futsal License.
A Graduate of North Haven High School Russo was a standout player, and went on to attend UCONN where he played club soccer. Former player of South Central Premier player growing up. He has coached at several different organizations throughout Connecticut.
Tony Pereira
Head Coach and Director of the U4 In-House Program. Head Coach - CSC United 2009,2008 Girls
Coach Tony has been with Cheshire SC since 2014 and has been one of the original coaches who started the CSC United program. He currently holds his USSF D License started the U4 Mighty Mites grassroots program which enables players to start enjoying soccer from a young age.He holds his USCA Youth National License and GK License.
A graduate of North Haven High School Tony grew up playing locally in the area and been coaching youth soccer for the past decade for North Haven Soccer and local clubs before moving to Cheshire in 2014.
Eric Rothbart
Head Coach - CSC United 2010 Girls
Eric has been with Cheshire Soccer Club since 2014 where started his coaching journey and currently has his USSF C License. Eric holds a B.S. in Exercise Science, earning departmental honors while completing his undergraduate thesis on the mind-body connection to learning. This research, along with his education in human performance, play an important role in training for the technical and physical development of his players. This course work led him to receive national recognition as the 2014 PE Major of the Year recipient. Eric is currently the Cheshire High School Varsity Assistant Coach and his a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Amity Regional High School where he serves as a leader in his department as well as the Athletics department developing their leadership capacity with their Class Act Council leadership initiative.
Eric Rothbart is a native of Cheshire, Connecticut, he was a former player for Cheshire SC. He played as a 3-year varsity athlete for the CHS boys’ team before captaining the team during his senior season. During that time, he won All-Division and All-Conference Honors, and was selected to the 2009 Senior Bowl game. Eric was a former South Central Premier player before committing and playing 4 years at Southern Connecticut State University. Eric Captained the Owls his Senior year and was named Scholar Athlete All American
Andre Pereira
Head Coach - CSC United 2009 Boys
Coach Andre has been with Cheshire Soccer Club since 2020. He holds a USSF C License and prior to working with Cheshire was a director for Seacoast United Developmental programs in New Hampshire. He coached at MLST NEXT club OAkwood SC for the younger age groups as well.
Andre is a native of Cheshire, Connecticut and was standout player in his Senior year at Cheshire High School receiving all New-England honors, All-Conference, and All-Area MVP. Prior to CHS Andre played in the Developmental Academy (MLS NEXT) for Oakwood SC from ages 14 - 17. Andre then committed to Southern New Hampshire University where he would play 3 years before graduating early with his Masters. Andre had trials at Benfica in Portugal and played in the USL2 for Houston FC, as well as several other USL2 clubs. He currently is a player on the CSC United U23 team with back to back NECSL Championship seasons.
Juan Tobon
Head Coach - CSC Travel 2012 Boys
Juan is a native of New Rochelle, New York has been with Cheshire Soccer Club since 2022. He works primarily the District Travel Teams and CSC United Juniors program. Juan played locally for his town club in the WYSL and then eventually moved up and played in the MLS NEXT for F.C. Westchester and New York Soccer Club.
Juan to played Varsity soccer for New Rochelle High School. He won the section, region and state tournament for New York in 2016 winning accolades such as All-League x2, All-Section x2, and All State x2. Juan would go onto play at the University of New Haven and play all 4 years while graduating with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He played in the NPSL and USL2 and is currently on the CSC United U23 team.
McDonald Tshwaranang
Head Coach - CSC Travel 2013, 2010 Boys
McDonald was born and raised in Gaborone, Botswana. After representing his country at both the U17 and U20 levels respectively, he moved to the United States on a soccer scholarship. At Grand View University, McDonald was a 4 year starter for the Vikings. With 2 All-American and NAIA Daktronics awards, McDonald graduated and moved to California where he worked as a full time soccer coach with Vision Soccer Training and Futsal Factory in Sacramento. During his one year spell in California, McDonald was responsible for coaching players of all age groups. He was then hired by Albany State University to help with their women's soccer team as an assistant coach. In addition to earning his Master's degree, McDonald also completed the USSF C Licenses.
Durval Pereira Sr.
Head Coach - CSC United 2012,2011 Boys
Durval Sr. has been with Cheshire SC for the past 25 years; he is currently the longest standing coach at Cheshire SC. A native of Portugal; Coach Pereira immigrated to the United States in the 70s where he was a staple player and coach in the Connecticut soccer seen. Coach Durval holds a USSF B License as well as his USCA National License. He was a former head coach for the Olympic Development Program of Connecticut 2008 to 2015 as well as Head Coach for Region 1 player pool and ID Center. Coach Pereira was also the Cheshire High School Assistant Varsity Coach since 2008; he was named Assistant Coach of the Year in 2016, has 10 conference titles, 4 SCC Titles, and a State Championship with the Rams.
As a player Durval is a former CSL and NASL professional player having stints with NY Cosmos, Metrostars, and several organizations around Connecticut. He played at R.C. Lee High School and was a standout All New England Player.
Max Rothenbucher
Head Coach - CSC United 2013 Boys, CSC United 2012 Girls
Max is a native of Munich Germany where he grew up prior to coming to the United States. Coach Max currently holds a USSF C License and his UEFA B License. Coach Max has been with Cheshire SC since 2018 coaching several age groups and programs. He is a former NCAA Men's Assistant Coach at the University of New Haven (Div. 2). He also coached in Barcelona, Spain for Marcet which is a stop international academy that competes in the Catalyuna youth leagues.
Max moved to the United States after playing for Bayern Munich FC as a youth player for over 10 years from age 10 up to the reserve team. He he won Regional Championship with the reserves, as well as the U19s, and U17 age groups. He then moved to the United States and played Collegiate soccer at Quinnipiac University (Div. 1). Max was a standout player for the Bobcats; where he Captained a conference Championship Team as a Senior. Max played USL2 and USL post collegiate.
Erica Bardes
Head Coach - CSC United 2015,2016 Girls
Erica is a native of New Jersey, where she grew up and competed as one of the most sought after players on the East Coast for College Soccer. She recently graduated from CCSU Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Education and has been working in the CSC United program the last two years.
Erica as a player was recruited to play Division I soccer at CCSU where she was named Scholar All-American, two time All-New England Team, two time North East Conference First Team, and NEC Defensive Player of the Year. She won 3 Conference Championships with as well as 3 NCAA National Tournament playoff appearances. She also plays in the WSL over the Summer and was a invited to several NWSL combines.
Laura Barberia
Assistant Coach - CSC United 2014 Girls, CSC United Juniors Coach
Laura Barberia is a native of Pamplona,Spain, where she played for C. A. Osasuna for 6 years. She tallied 113 goals in the 6 years for Osasuna before being recruited to play college soccer in the US. She was a Spanish Regional Team selection player. She was a standout player at Souther Connecticut State University and has a B.S. in Bilingual Education. She is currently the Freshman Girls Soccer Head Coach at Cheshire High School and has been coaching locally in New Haven County since 2019. This is her first year with Cheshire Soccer Club.
Alberto Aguillon
Head Coach - CSC United 2014 Boys, Assistant Coach CSC United 2010 Boys, Assistant Coach CSC United U23 Men
Alberto is from Trumbull Connecticut where he grew up and played locally. He was a standout player for South Central Premier and Developmental Academy player.He has been with the CSC United program since 2021 where he has developed as a coach and looking to receive is his USSF C License.
As a player was standout at Trumbull High School, All-Conference and All-State player; where he captained the team his Senior Year. Alberto went on to play at Albertus Magnus and then later transferred to play at UCONN. He is a former CSL player.
Justin Violette
Head Coach - CSC Travel 2014 Boys, CSC United Juniors Head Coach
Justin is originally from Wallingford Connecticut where grew up playing for South Central Premier and Developmental Academy. Prior to CSC United Justin was coaching for Edmond Soccer Club in Georgia at the U13 and U14 level. Since returning to Connecticut Justin has been working on completing his USSF D License and progressing with the Cheshire SC program.
Justin was a 4 year varsity standout for Sheehan High School and went on to play at Air Force. He then went onto serve and continued to play for the Armed Forces Sports and during his time won the International Armed Services tournament.
Carson Andes
Head Coach- CSC Travel 2009 Girls, CSC Travel 2011,2012 Boys
Carson (CJ) Andes began coaching for Cheshire Soccer Club in 2022. Prior to coaching, he played for Farmington Sports Arena (FSA) as well as played for Cheshire Soccer Club since the age of 8. Carson attended Cheshire High School, where he was a 4 year Varsity player and was selected as captain in his senior year, where he also received All-Conference Honors. Carson then went on to play one season of Division III college soccer at Elmhurst University, before deciding to pursue his academic career.
Andreas Xenofontos
Head Coach - CSC Travel 2009 Boys, Head Scout SCD District
Andreas Xenofontos is a native of Cyprus and has been with the CSC United program since 2022. He currently holds a USSF D License and has been appointed Head of Scouting for District Soccer for CSC United. Andreas works in sports analytics and is working directly with player analytics in recruitment.
As a player Andreas was recruited from Digenis Akritas Morfou in Cyprus at the semi-professional level before coming to the US to play at Lincoln Memorial University. He helped the team qualify for the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the first time in 10 years. Andreas continued to excel in soccer, receiving All-District Academic and All NCAC Honorable Mention teams, scoring 9 goals and assisting 3 in 32 appearances with the Scots at the College of Wooster. He received a master's degree at the University of New Haven in Sports Management & Business Analytics.
Sonia Ferri
Head Coach - CSC Travel 2013,2014 Girls, CSC Travel 2011 Girls, Assistant Coach CSC United 2011,2012 Girls
Sonia began coaching for Cheshire Soccer Club in 2021. Prior to coaching she played for Connecticut Football Club (CFC) for 10 years. Sonia attended Hamden High School and was a 4 year Varsity soccer player. She was selected Captain her senior year and was on the All-Conference SCC team. Currently Sonia has a USSF D License as well as several technical licenses for administration in sports.
Mauricio Arango
Head Coach - CSC Travel 2011 Boys, Goal Keeper Coach 2014-2011
Mauricio is originally from Westchester New York, and has been with Cheshire SC since 2018 as a goalkeeper coach and 9v9 level coach. Mauricio holds a USCA Goalkeeper license as well has his grassroots licenses from USSF.
As player Mauricio he played as a goalkeeper and 2 year captain at Yorktown High School. He played for FC Westchester and Westchester Flames prior to playing Division 1 soccer at Quinnipiac University. In his senior year at Yorktown he won the NYS Section 1 State Championship and was awarded with the NYS Section 1 League Player of the Year, the NYS Section 1 Player of the Year, the Journal News Player of the Year. We was also received All Section Honors, All State honors, All Region honors, and All-American honors. He part of the MAAC All- Academic team for three seasons during his time at QU. Mauricio is a graduate of QU with a bachelors in Finance obtained in 2021 and is on track to graduate as a Master in Business Administration in May 2023.
Kayla Mingachos
Head Coach - CSC Travel 2012 Girls
Kayla is originally from Danbury Connecticut and was a standout player for Immaculate High School where she was All Conference, All State and All-American. Throughout high-school she was on CFC United ECNL team an on the US National Team Pool. She is currently at senior at Quinnipiac University where she is on the Women's Soccer Team and has been a starter all 4 years. Throughout her 4 years she has been named on the all-freshman team and MAAC 1st team. This is Kayla's first year at Cheshire SC and working on getting her USSF D License.
Olivia Scott
Head Coach - CSC Travel 2012 Girls
Olivia began coaching for Cheshire Soccer Club in 2022. Before this she began coaching U17 girls in her hometown Aurora, Canada. Prior to coaching, Olivia played for Canada u17 National team as well as Regional Excell team in Canada. She is currently a senior and captain for Quinnipiac University Soccer. Throughout the 4 years she has been a consistent starter as well as being named all freshman team and MAAC 1st team this previous season. Olivia is working on getting her USSF D License with Cheshire SC this upcoming year.