Ryan Richter is The SWAG’s Coaching Advisory Council Director and the Assistant Coach of the Philadelphia Union’s First Team. He was formerly Head Coach of the Philadelphia Union Academy’s U15 age group and provides oversight of The SWAG’s pool of coaching resources as SWAG Advisory Council Director. Prior to his Head Coaching role with the Union U15s, Ryan served as the Director of the Philadelphia Union Junior Academy program covering age groups up through U11, and also as a Union Academy coach with the U12s and U17s. Ryan spent seven years playing professionally after being drafted 5th overall in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft by the Philadelphia Union, later going on to play for Toronto FC (MLS), New York Cosmos (NASL), and other highly respected professional clubs in North America, earning honors as an All-Decade Best XI player in NASL. Prior to his professional career, Ryan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he captained the Men’s Varsity Soccer team, receiving numerous individual accolades, such as the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year (2010), Atlantic 10 Student-Athlete of the Year (2010), Atlantic 10 Sportsman of the Year (2010), 1st Team Scholar All-American (2010), 2 Time Philadelphia Player of the Year (2009 and 2010) and 2 Time Regional All American (2009 and 2010). Ryan attended William Tennent High School in Suburban Philadelphia. He played youth soccer for FC Delco and Phoenix Soccer Club, and was an EPYSA ODP player. Ryan is a USSF A-licensed coach.

Nick is the U13 & U14 Head Coach with Sporting Athletic of MLS Next. Formerly Program Development Director & Co-Director of Coaching with The SWAG, Nick oversaw the SWAG Select program, and worked with youth club programs throughout the region, identifying and developing talented young SWAG players for participation in the Philadelphia Union’s Junior Academy program which starts at Under-9. Before joining The SWAG, Nick served as Head Coach and Youth Academy Director for Syracuse FC. Nick played collegiate soccer as a defender at NCAA DI Syracuse University (2010-2013) where he started 42 out of the 43 matches for the Orange. In 2012 he led an Orange defense that recorded 12 shutouts, tied for the third-most in the nation. He played an integral part of the second Syracuse team to make an NCAA tournament appearance, the first to make a Sweet 16 appearance.  Nick graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Child & Family Studies. Following his college career, Nick played 4 years professionally in the Swedish 3rd tier and USL Championship with Saint Louis FC and Bethlehem Steel (now named Philadelphia Union II). As a high school player at Lower Merion High School, and played club with West Philly Hurricanes (now named West Philly Soccer Academy), Palumbo, LMSC and Spirit/Delco (now named FC Delco). He was selected as a Region I ODP player and to the U18 National Pool.  Nick has coached for several years at both the youth and collegiate levels and holds an Advanced Youth Technical Training Diploma. Nick is a USSF C-licensed coach.

A member of The SWAG’s Coaching Advisory Council, Andre Spangler has been a coach with the Philadelphia Union Junior Academy, as well with 1776 United FC and Villanova Soccer Academy, highly-selective club-level programs competing regionally and nationally, as well as nationally-known FC Delco. Youth teams coached by Andre have won multiple regional, national and international events in soccer and futsal, among which include international Iber Cup championship events in Portugal and Texas, the US National Futsal Championships and multiple National Championships in 3-v-3 soccer. Andre played professionally with the Philadelphia Kixx and the Delaware Wizards. As a high school player at Strath Haven Highschool, Andre was an All American, All State and All County player, as well as being selected as the Gatorade National Player of the Year, the Pennsylvania State Player of the Year, and the Player of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily Times.  Andre was also a US National Team Under-16 player and a State and Regional ODP player. Andre is a UEFA B and USSF D-licensed coach.

A member of The SWAG’s Coaching Advisory Council, Jon Scheer is the Director of Scouting for the Philadelphia Union. He previously served in a scouting role for the US National Team with the United States Soccer Federation. Jon also has coaching experience as the former Assistant Head Coach at the University of Delaware, Director of Coaching at Kirkwood Soccer Club, as well as with the Philadelphia Union Junior Academy and Delaware FC. Some of Jon’s professional accolades include the membership in the NSCAA “30 Under 30” Program, a yearlong education and mentorship opportunity for a select few up-and-comers who have mode soccer their career of choice (2014), and the NSCAA North Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year (2014). Prior to his professional career as a coach and scout, Jon attended and played soccer at the University of Delaware, where he was a team captain (2009 and 2010), 4 time dean’s list student (2007 through 2011), and team MVP (2010). His youth and high school career took place in South Jersey, where he was a State, Regional, and National ODP player. Jon is a USSF A-licensed coach.

Tommy is the Director of The SWAG’s Pro Athlete Council and Technical Director of Charlotte FC in MLS. He previously served as the Director of Academy and Professional Development for the Philadelphia Union. In addition Tommy previously worked as the Reserve Coach and Academy Technical Director at Rangers FC, as well as Head Coach for the U20 Scottish National Team. Prior to Rangers, Tommy served as the Head of Coaching Education with the Scottish Football Association. Prior to coaching, Tommy had a long professional soccer career in the Scottish Premiere League with sides such as Dunfermline Athletic, Kilmarnock FC, Heart of Midlothian  and St. Mirren, where he won the Scottish FA Cup in 1987. Wilson finished his playing career with over 300 SPL appearances. He was brought up in Carmyle, Scotland, a small town in the east end of Glasgow. Tommy is from a soccer family, with his father, as well as both brothers playing at a professional level. Tommy is a UEFA Pro licensed coach.

Website: http://www.tommy-wilson.com/

Jimmy is a member of the SWAG’s Pro Athlete Advisory Council and a former professional soccer player with the Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, and Louisville City FC. Prior to his professional career, Jimmy played his youth soccer with FC Delco and Great Valley High School, before attending Colgate University to continue his soccer career, where he was named 2011 Patriot League rookie of the year. He was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia and is currently an analyst with Southeastern Pennsylvania based private equity firm Graham Partners.