NIKO ROROS
Niko Roros is a Greek-American Goalkeeper. During his youth career he played for Sparrows Point High School. Then going on to play Division l NJCAA Soccer for The Community College of Baltimore County at Catonsville & Essex, before transferring to Harford Community College (Division l NJCAA) in July of 2016. Finishing his amateur/ collegiate career at Point Park University (NAIA- Pittsburgh, PA).
During this time Niko was invited to play for Beyond Sports International Team - Italy Tour (June 2018) & was a player/ GK coach for the Baltimore Kings U-23’s (Summer 2019). Niko will be attending the Soccer Management Institute in Rome, Italy, where he will receive a Masters Degree in Soccer Coaching, a UEFA B license while playing for the SMI Academy. Niko is 1 of 50 to attend the institute for the2020-21 season, starting in August 2020.
We are excited to have Niko on board with us. His love for the game and helping all goalkeepers elevate their the next level is appreciated by all! Niko will be working on the field and virtually with our RGA GKs and RGA @ Home Virtual Clients.
Certifications: Safesport Certified
SAMANtha leshnak-Murphy
Currently one of three pro NWSL Goalkeepers for the NC Courage, Coach Sam has had a spectacular career from early on. Sam's career began in her hometown of Liberty Township, Ohio where she played for the Ohio Elite Soccer Academy ECNL girls team. Sam has been apart of the US National Team cycle since age 13. Earning her first CAP with the U17 USWNT against the U18 German WNT. After high school she continued her career at UNC Chapel Hill playing under legendary Head Coach, Anson Dorrance and Goalkeeping Coach, Chris Ducar. Breaking records as UNC's starting GK, she is most remembered for not allowing a goal in 1,119 minutes and 23 seconds her senior year and she was only the third Tar Heel goalkeeper in history to win a penalty kick shootout, joining U.S. National Team goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris against Virginia in 2007 ACC Tournament and Bryane Heaberlin against Baylor in 2012 NCAA Tournament. Her six saves versus UCLA in NCAA quarterfinals matched her career high in a game.
Sam has a heart and passion for the development of RGA's GKs that is unmatched. Her dedication to their development on the field and off is what makes her unique. We are honored to have her apart of our staff and leading camps, clinics, and virtual coaching sessions.
Certifications: Safesport Certified
Jon Busch
Busch is best remembered for his captivating saves, despite his shorter stature for an elite goalkeeper, and spent most of his 21-year professional playing years in Major League Soccer, appearing for the Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes. Busch also represented the United States at both the youth and senior level. Arguably his best season was in 2008 when he was named MLS. Goalkeeper of the Year. As of the end of the 2015 season, Busch was ranked fourth in MLS history in number of shutouts. Busch earned his first, and only cap for the United States on March 9, 2005. He shut out Colombia in a friendly. He has also represented the U.S. at the U-17 and U-20 levels, as well as having played in the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Japan. In May 2018, Busch made one last transfer move back to his first MLS club, Columbus Crew SC and retired from Major League Soccer. In 2019, Jon was named to the USMNT staff as the U23s and U20s Goalkeeper Coach. He continues to train US Soccer National Team GKs, MLS, NWSL, USL Pro Gks and is a tremendous asset to RGA GKs. Jon has worked with the RGA team and GKs for the last two years at our camps and virtually assisting them with technical, mental and tactical training. We are excited to have Jon apart of our team and continuing to train our RGA GKs. Jon will continue to lead virtual trainings, our RGA @ Home program, and camps.
Certifications: Safesport Certified
YULia Hayes
Yulia has been a stand-out goalkeeper and known by many as an incredible encourager, role model and friend in the Central Virginia Soccer community.
She has excelled academically and on the field. She finished out her senior year at Banner Christian and with the U19 Richmond Strikers Elite Team, VA Central District and State ODP. She committed and signed with the Citadel, Division 1 women's soccer program and is apart of their Class of 2023.
Yulia has been a Richmond Goalkeeping Academy GK Student for more than 5 years. Her knowledge and love for the game and next generation is something special and unique in itself. In addition to Coaching for RGA, she has returned to coach at Banner and other schools in Richmond as well.
We are privledged and honored to have her apart of the RGA Coaching Staff.
Certifications: Safesport Certified
Alice Funez
Alice is known throughout the Richmond, VA youth strength and conditioning community. Currently she helps head up the Steward School Strength and Conditioning program as one of their coaches. Her specialties include ACL & injury prehab, progressive programing post PT rehab, strength and conditioning in speed, power, and healthy weight gain training.
She is a NASM certified personal trainer, a Mobility WOD Movement and Mobility Specialist, and is certified in Biomechanics and Human Movement, DBC Level 1.Alice is currently pursuing her doctorates in physical therapy. She is a huge asset and brings so much to our academy and gks. She will be leading the small group strength and conditioning sessions and is also available for private lessons with GKs, Field Players, and parents as well.
Alice resides in Richmond,Va with her husband and two sons. She loves family, fun, adventure and helping individuals achieve their personal and physical goals.
Leif Frederick VanSlyke
Leif is currently a sophomore at Longwood University and is captain of the men's D1 soccer team. Last year, Leif played almost every game minute alternating between center mid, center back, and right back.
Leif previously played travel soccer in the Club Champions League (CCL) with the Fredericksburg Futbol Club in Fredericksburg, Virginia. During his senior year at Riverbend High School, Leif was named Conference Player of the Year, as well as First Team All State, and led the VHSL scoring record with 24 goals to lead RHS to the Division 6A semi-finals.
With Leif's outstanding performance past and current and D1 training experience, he brings to both RGA & VSA tremendous value, experience and knowledge. We are excited to have him on the team!
Certifications: SafeSport Certified
Our Lil' CEO
Marlana Barnard
We welcomed Coach Marlana (aka Mars) to our RGA staff in June 2019. We are so excited to have her! She grew up in Northern Virginia starting her soccer career with the McLean Soccer Club and later transferred to the Bethesda Freedom ECNL team across the Potomac River with the Potomac Soccer Club. She led the team in scoring 4 out of 5 years as she was named to the Washington Freedom Super-Y Team, semi pro team.
She was a 4-year collegiate starter as a Forward at Roanoke College starting in 2012. By the end of her sophomore season, she registered 15 goals and 5 assists and led her team scoring. She has been honored as a Forward on the All-ODAC conference soccer team. She excelled in academics off the field and was named ODAC All-Academic Team all 4 years.
Today, Coach Mars is excited to offer her own experience for the benefit of the next generation. She specializes in coaching field players and strength and conditioning. She is available for booking for field players in the area. In addition to strength training she coaches small group field players and 1on1 private training.
Certifications: Safesport Certified
Manny Tavares
Manny is the Director of Travel programs and founder of Mechanicsville United FC, Head Coach U18/19 Girls Travel Team, Hanover High School Varsity Soccer Coach, licensed USSF and former pro player with over 45 years experience in the USA and Portugal. Manny brings a large amount of skills learned from his days playing for former Olympic Coach Lindburgh Nunes and being chosen at a young age of 13 to play for the New Jersey select all-star team, to his summers spent in Portugal learning the European style of play at Clube ACA. Mechanicsville resident for over 21years, Manny has provided many youth in Richmond area an opportunity to enjoy the game of soccer , he has trained individually many players and has coached soccer teams in Mechanicsville and Hanover county for over 20 years. He is a well respected coach by many who have learned through his programs, and dedication to his community. When people speak of soccer in Mechanicsville many will say Manny has changed the way soccer is played through his devotion to the beautiful game. We are so grateful for the mentorship and friendship of Manny. He is a huge asset to the Richmond community and the RGA/VSA soccer family and extended field player family.
Certifications: Safesport Certified
