Hi, I’m Dave, Co-Founder of the Virtual Fútbol Academy.

I've dedicated my life to soccer.—not just playing it, but truly understanding it. As a young player, I competed at the highest levels, earning a U.S. Youth National Team spot. But when I transitioned from player to coach, I quickly realized something: I did not know how to teach tactics or guide my teams to play beautiful fútbol. 

Teaching young players how to think, grow, and love the game? That required something else.

So, I became a student of the game all over again.

I immersed myself in Spanish fútbol methodology for years, studying how top European clubs developed players. The more I learned, the more I saw the lack of coach development resources available in the U.S. There were books, courses, and training drills. Still, the most advanced coaching education wasn’t easily accessible.

I wanted more.

I started researching European coaching certifications—programs where top clubs and federations trained coaches. After months of searching, I finally found the right program. In 2017, I founded RC Celta Academy Philadelphia.

It was one of the most valuable experiences of my career. I saw how coaching at the highest level wasn’t just about tactics—it was about developing players mentally, technically, and strategically.

But here’s the reality: it took years and was a substantial financial investment.

During the pandemic, one thought stuck with me:

Why isn’t this level of coaching expertise more accessible in the U.S.?