OVERVIEW
The SWAG offers programs designed to introduce children to soccer, identify emerging talent, and support players as they progress into the appropriate competitive environment.
All programming is offered at no cost to families.
OUR TEAM
The SWAG’s coaching pool is comprised of former professional and collegiate soccer players who work with the top youth soccer programs in the region, including the Philadelphia Union Academy and other leading programs. In addition to professional level coaching, The SWAG coaches serve as mentors, counseling players and their families as they as they evaluate future athletic and educational opportunities.
James Barnes
Program Oversight & Coach
James serves as a key member of The SWAG’s coaching leadership, providing program oversight and acting as a conduit between The SWAG and the Philadelphia Union Academy to ensure continuity across player development pathways. He is currently the Philadelphia Union Juniors Director and U-12 Head Coach, where he helps guide the region’s top young talent toward the professional level. Before joining the Union, Barnes spent eight years with Cedar Stars Academy, where he held multiple senior positions, including Technical Director for Cedar Stars Academy North, Academy Director for Cedar Stars Academy Bergen, and Head Coach of the Cedar Stars Bergen U-19 MLS NEXT team. Barnes holds an impressive list of coaching credentials, including a USSF A License, USSF B License, UEFA B License, and the USSF Director of Coaching certification. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Development from Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom.
SCOTT SPANGLER
Co-Director of Coaching
As the Director of Coaching and Co-Founder of The SWAG, Scott Spangler also serves on The SWAG’s Coaching Advisory Council. He has coached with the Philadelphia Union Junior Academy, EPYSA’s Olympic Development Program (ODP), 1776 United FC, Villanova Soccer Academy, and nationally recognized FC Delco. Scott has also served as Assistant Coach for the professional club Jacksonville Armada FC, where he was the Club’s Youth Director overseeing the U9–U12 age brackets. Youth teams coached by Scott have won multiple regional, national, and international events in soccer and futsal, including international Iber Cup championships in Portugal and Texas, the US National Futsal Championships, and multiple National Championships in 3-v-3 soccer. Scott played collegiately at Virginia Tech, where he captained the team to the NCAA Semi-Finals. As a high school player at Strath Haven High School, he was an All-American, All-State, and All-County player and remains the program’s all-time leading goal scorer. He also represented EPYSA State and Region I ODP teams and played professionally for VfB Stuttgart in Germany. Scott is a UEFA B and USSF B-licensed coach and is the owner of Future Captain Sports, a youth development coaching organization.
ANDRE SPANGLER
Co-Director of Coaching
As the Co-Director of Coaching of The SWAG, 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. He currently coaches the 2017 SWAG Select/Academy team. 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.
DOM LANDRY
Director of Operations & Scheduling
Dom is the Director of Operations & Scheduling as well as the co-founder, head coach, manager, and a board member of the AC Fairhill soccer club in North Philadelphia. Dom played collegiate soccer for NCAA DI St. Joseph’s University (2004-2006) as a walk on, after picking up the game only a few years earlier at age 17. He later graduated from St. Joseph’s Haub School of Business (2008) with a degree in Business Management. In a coaching capacity, Dom served as a volunteer coach for the Anderson Monarch’s youth girl’s program in South Philadelphia before co-founding AC Fairhill in North Philadelphia, with the aim of giving back to his neighborhood and providing young players with experiences that can change their futures. Dom is also a co-founder of Common Ground Management, a Philadelphia-based firm which consults to small businesses throughout the U.S., assisting its clients with business entity formations, trademark filings and corporate identity initiatives.
DARRA GRIFFIN
Community Ambassador
Darra Griffin is The SWAG’s Community Ambassador and Administrator, managing relationships with families for The SWAG, helping those new to soccer to become familiar with The SWAG’s training program and the curriculum, working closely with families on SWAG scheduling and logistics throughout the Philadelphia area. Darra was born in Barbados and emigrated to the United States in 1984, attending Northeast High School in Philadelphia, where she was a student-athlete involved with track and field, graduating in 1993. Darra attended Pierce Junior College and graduated with a liberal arts degree. She was a member of the Black Student Union and actively involved in several community programs and activities. Darra was employee of Prudential Insurance for over 22 years in the customer service/data entry division. Darra has three children, including her son Jordan, who now plays for Philadelphia Union II and was selected to the U.S. Youth National Team’s FIFA U-17 World Cup roster. Jordan has competed both domestically and internationally in Portugal, Spain, Scotland, and Brazil, playing key roles on teams that have captured national and international championship titles. Darra is an active member of church where she has honed her administrative, organizational and community outreach skills.
RYAN RICHTER
Director
Ryan Richter serves as The SWAG’s Coaching Advisory Council Director and is the Head Coach of Philadelphia Union II. He brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in player development, having held multiple coaching roles within the Union organization since 2018. Before his current position, Ryan spent three seasons as an Assistant Coach for the Union First Team, helping guide the club to its first MLS Cup Final in 2022. Earlier in his career, Ryan served as Head Coach of the Philadelphia Union Academy’s U15s, leading them to the first-ever MLS NEXT Cup Final in 2021, as well as Director of the Philadelphia Union Junior Academy and coach for the U12 and U17 teams. As a player, Ryan spent seven years competing professionally after being selected fifth overall in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft by the Philadelphia Union. He went on to play for Toronto FC (MLS), New York Cosmos (NASL), and several top clubs in the NASL, where he was named to The Athletic’s All-Decade Best XI. A graduate of La Salle University, Ryan captained the men’s varsity soccer team and earned numerous honors including Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Atlantic 10 Student-Athlete of the Year, and two-time Philadelphia Player of the Year. He played youth soccer for FC Delco and Phoenix Soccer Club, was an EPYSA ODP player, and holds a USSF A coaching license.
JON SCHEER
Jon Scheer is a member of The SWAG’s Coaching Advisory Council and serves as the Director of Academy and Professional Development for the Philadelphia Union. In this role, he oversees the club’s entire player development pathway from the Union Junior Academy through Union II, leading staff and player development while maintaining a unified approach to the club’s methodology and long-term strategy. Previously, Jon was the Director of Scouting for the Philadelphia Union and held a scouting role with the U.S. National Team at the United States Soccer Federation. His coaching experience includes serving as Assistant Head Coach at the University of Delaware, Director of Coaching at Kirkwood Soccer Club, and positions with the Philadelphia Union Junior Academy and Delaware FC. Jon was recognized in the NSCAA “30 Under 30” Program and named the NSCAA North Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2014. A former team captain and MVP at the University of Delaware, he was a four-time Dean’s List student and competed at the State, Regional, and National ODP levels. He holds a USSF A coaching license.
nick bibbs
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.
SCOTT SPANGLER
As the Director of Coaching and Co-Founder of The SWAG, Scott Spangler also serves on The SWAG’s Coaching Advisory Council. He has coached with the Philadelphia Union Junior Academy, EPYSA’s Olympic Development Program (ODP), 1776 United FC, Villanova Soccer Academy, and nationally recognized FC Delco. Scott has also served as Assistant Coach for the professional club Jacksonville Armada FC, where he was the Club’s Youth Director overseeing the U9–U12 age brackets. Youth teams coached by Scott have won multiple regional, national, and international events in soccer and futsal, including international Iber Cup championships in Portugal and Texas, the US National Futsal Championships, and multiple National Championships in 3-v-3 soccer. Scott played collegiately at Virginia Tech, where he captained the team to the NCAA Semi-Finals. As a high school player at Strath Haven High School, he was an All-American, All-State, and All-County player and remains the program’s all-time leading goal scorer. He also represented EPYSA State and Region I ODP teams and played professionally for VfB Stuttgart in Germany. Scott is a UEFA B and USSF B-licensed coach and is the owner of Future Captain Sports, a youth development coaching organization.
ANDRE SPANGLER
As the Co-Director of Coaching of The SWAG, 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. He currently coaches the 2017 SWAG Select/Academy team. 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.
TOMMY WILSON
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.
JIMMY MCLAUGHLIN
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 investment firm Graham Partners.
zach pfeffer
Zach is a member of the SWAG’s Pro Athlete Advisory Council and a former professional soccer player with the Philadelphia Union, Colorado Rapids of MLS. Prior to his professional career, Zach played his youth soccer with FC Delco and Montgomery Maniacs, before spending a semester at the U-17 national team residency at IMG. In 2010 at the age of 15 he became the fourth-youngest player ever to sign a Major League Soccer contract. He was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia and was previously an investment banker with Goldman Sachs and currently works at New York private equity firm Brightstar Capital Partners.
DANIEL AUGUSTE
Coach
chris barnett
Coach
Dave Bond
Coach
samuel cole
Coach
thiago evangelista
Coach | Philadelphia Union Academy
DARREN JOHN
Coach
ASHLEY JOHNSON
Coach
idrissa kone
Coach | Philadelphia Union Academy
JASON LAGES
Coach | Philadelphia Union Academy
mykola lyakhovolskyy
Coach
RAMZI QAWASMY
Coach
ryan richter
Coach | Philadelphia Union II
JAIME RODRIGUEZ
Coach
WILLY TOPP
Coach | Philadelphia Union Academy
BILL WALLEEKENDEH
Coach
emmerson walleekendeh
Coach
VARIOUS PHILADELPHIA UNION STAFF
PATHWAYs
SWAG STARTER
AGES: U4–U11
FOCUS: Entry-level introduction to soccer that builds confidence, fundamentals, and joy for the game within local communities.
SWAG Starter is the program’s introductory tier, designed for young athletes who are new to soccer or beginning their development journey. Through seasonal SWAG Starter Days and short-format programs, players are introduced to the basics of the game in a fun, supportive, and accessible environment.
The SWAG Starter Program typically meets one to two days per week and serves as an on-ramp into continued soccer participation, including future involvement in SWAG programs as players grow in interest and ability.
swag select
AGES: U4–U8
FOCUS: Early-stage player development built on technical basics, coordination, and love of the game.
SWAG Select is a placement-based program for players who have shown strong developmental progress through Starter sessions, ID clinics, and ongoing evaluation from the SWAG coaching staff. Select players are invited into this training pool because they demonstrate the technical ability, work ethic, and developmental readiness to train in a more structured, competitive environment.
Select is not open-registration. Instead, coaches identify and place athletes into the Select pathway as they show readiness.
SWAG ACADEMY
AGES: U8–U11
FOCUS: Accelerated development track designed to feed talent into Union Academy or comparable high-level programs.
SWAG Academy is the program’s advanced tier for athletes who show strong technical ability, work habits, and growth in SWAG Select. Beginning at U8, players are either placed into SWAG Academy or connected with other top programs in the area.
SWAG Academy players train year-round, follow a curriculum aligned with the Philadelphia Union Academy, compete in elevated environments (often one age group up), and integrate regularly with Union Juniors.
BUILT TO COMPETE
The SWAG Select have built on their back-to-back 3v3 National Championships in the 2014 birth year division (won in 2021 and 2022) with continued success across younger age groups, earning titles at IBERCUP (World Champions, 2016 birth year), EDP Tournaments, Rising Stars Cup, and numerous regional tournaments in the 2016–2018 birth year divisions.
