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Coaches and Staff

Directors

Ryko Marich

Ryko Marich

Technical Director

Coaching Experience

  • USSF National B License
  • USSF National Youth License
  • Lakewood United FC Director of Coaching, Boys 2016-2020
  • Lakewood United FC Director of Coaching, Girls 2019 – Present
  • SYSA-PFC Staff Head Coach High School Teams 2019-2020
  • SYSA-PFC, Staff Head Coach Various Teams, 2019-present
  • Footskills / Goalie Training
  • Case Western Reserve University Assistant Coach 2010-2012
  • Coaching Staff of the Year 2011, NCAA Tournament Bid 2011, with 15-5 record and Finished in 1st place in UAA Conference                   

Playing Experience

  • Canton Invaders, Drafted NPSL Indoor Pro league 1994
  • University of Akron 1990-1994 (All-MAC 1994)
  • University of Akron Team MVP 1994
  • Karadjordje Serbs Club 1990-Present, Over 40 Team
  • Internationals SC 1987-1990

Personal Information

Did you know Ryko’s wife is Sandy and he has two kids, Amalija and Ariana?


 Okatakyie   Appiah

Okatakyie Appiah

Director of Youth Programming


Coaching Experience

  • USSF National D License
  • KSA PRO-PROFILE AMATEUR/SEMI-PRO -Head Coach/  Assistant Coach
  •  PACESETTER SOCCER CLUB- Assistant Youth Director/ Head  Coach
  • INTER ATLANTA FC BLUES- Head Coach
  •  KALONJI SOCCER ACADEMY- Program Director
  • LIFE UNIVERSITY- Assistant Coach
  • UNITED FUTBOL CLUB- Head Coach
  • FIRSTWORKS SOCCER-Director of Operations            

Playing Experience

  • 1 Dezembro (Sintra, Portugal)
  • KSA Pro Profile
  • VaHiATL FC
  • Peachtree City MOBA
  • UNOH
  • Thomas University
  • Atlanta Silverbacks
  • MountVernon Academy
  • Galaxy International (Ghana, West Africa)

Personal Information 

Did you know Tee’s favorite soccer team is AC Milan?


Staff Coaches

Listed Alphabetically


Svetozar (Steve)  Brdarski

Svetozar (Steve) Brdarski

Staff Coach

SVETOZAR BRDARSKI, SYSA Staff Coach

Coaching Experience

  • St.Bonaventure University Head Women's Soccer Coach 2013-2022
  • Puerto Rico Women's National Team Assistant Coach 2017-2018
  • Haitian Women's National Team Assistant Coach 2012-2016
  • Longwood University Associate Head Women's Soccer Coach 2004-2013
  • FC Indiana - Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting 2004-2009
  • Pfeiffer University Head Men's Soccer Coach from 2001-2003
  • Pfeiffer University Assistant Women's Soccer from 1999-2001
  • USSF B License 
  • United Soccer Coaches Advance Diploma
  • NCAA DII Men's Soccer Coaches Committee 

Playing Experience

  • Pfeiffer University 
  • Copley High School 

Personal Information

Did you know Steve once coached SYSA Staff Coach Lisa Burnett? He is also a cousin of Coach Ryko Marich!


Lisa Burnett

Lisa Burnett

Staff Coach

Lisa Burnett, SYSA Staff Coach

Coaching Experience

  • 2006 UNC Charlotte, Volunteer Assistant Coach 
  • 2007-2009 Kenston High School, Head Coach          

Playing Experience

  • OHIO STATE’S ALL-TIME LEADER IN ASSISTS AND POINTS
  • 2005 W-LEAUGE CHAMPION, 2002 RUNNER-UP 
  • 2001 USYSA NATIONAL CHAMPION, Michigan Hawks 
  • 2001 US U-19 NATIONAL CAMP
  • 2001 BIG 10 FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
  • 2001, 2004, 2006 ALL BIG TEN TEAM

Personal Information

 


Jed Davies

Staff Coach

Jed Davies, SYSA Staff Coach

Coaching Experience

  • USSF National "D" License
  • Euclid Varsity Assistant Coach 2009-2010
  • SYSA Volunteer Coach 2015-2021
  • Euclid High School English Teacher, 2006-Present

Playing Experience

  • Recreation soccer

Personal Information

Did you know Jed has two daughters who play for SYSA and attend Shaker Schools? He enjoys reading, writing, running, and fitness. His family enjoys skiing in the winter, softball and swimming in the summer, and soccer in between!


Albert Duah

Albert Duah

Staff Coach

Albert Duah, SYSA Staff Coach

Coaching Experience

  • USSF National C License
  • USSF National D License License
  • SYSA-PFC Staff Head Coach, BU12 Red and Black teams
  • SYSA-PFC Clinic Coach- Mini/ Mighty Kickers
  • SYSA-PFC Footskills Coach
  • WorldBound Soccer Academy (WBSA) Founder/Director/Head Coach

Playing Experience

  • Westland Soccer Group, Ghana (10+ years)
  • Ternopil Economic University, Ukraine (2 years)
  • Crown Aerosols Italia, Italy (2 years)

Personal Information

Did you know that Albert has lived in Shaker for 10 years and is married for 10 years with two boys ages 6 and 7.
He loves traveling and used to live in Ukraine, Poland, and Italy!


Anne McGinness

Anne McGinness

SYSA Staff Coach

Anne McGinness, SYSA Staff Coach

Coaching Experience:

  • USSF National D License
  • Coach for CYO soccer
  • Assistant Coach for SYSA

Playing Experience:

  • Olympic Development Program in my youth
  • Cleveland Cobras
  • All-State Ohio  
  • MVP Beaumont High School 
  • Club Soccer Boston College (I got scholarships to play for D2 colleges, but wanted to go to BC instead)
  • Futsal leagues in Portugal, Italy, and Bolivia (while living abroad for 5 years) in my 20s and early 30s
  • Currently plays on an adult league

Personal Information

When it's nice out, Anne can be found playing pick-up soccer everyday after school with her three kids and their friends.  When it's cold out, Anne and her kids play hockey outside on their outdoor, homemade ice rink. Her kids are Augie, Sebastian and Eve and they are also part of SYSA.  Anne also loves to run, rock climb, and ski.  When I'm not playing sports, I'm a historian of Latin America.

 


Sunny Pitrof

Sunny Pitrof

SYSA Staff Coach


Sunny Pitrof, SYSA Staff Coach

Coaching Experience

  • USSF National D License 2021
  • SYSA Volunteer Coach 2017-2021
  •  Upward Youth Basketball Coach 2019-2020
  • Washington College Women's Basketball Assistant Coach 2003-2005 

Playing Experience

  • University of Pennsylvania Women's Basketball 1999-2003


Adam Severs

Adam Severs

Staff Coach

ADAM SEVERS STAFF COACH

Coaching Experience

  • Girls JV Soccer Head Coach- Hawken School (2023)
  • Girls Varsity Soccer Assistant Coach- Hawken School (2023)
  • Rocky River Soccer: Skills Clinics: U9 & U10 (2015-2017)            

Playing Experience

  • Denison University (2009-2013)
  • Black River FC (2006-2009)
  • Washington, DC Coed Soccer League (2016 - 2022)

Personal Information

  • 5th Grade Teacher, Hawken School
  • Enjoys playing and watching all sports! 
  • Loves to be run and hike outdoors, enjoys being active in the community, and prioritizes spending quality time with family and friends

Dani  Severs

Dani Severs

SYSA Staff Coach


Dani Severs, SYSA Staff Coach

Coaching Experience

  • American University Quarterly College Recruiting Camp (2011-2016)
  • Trainer for Archbishop Spalding (Maryland) High School's Girls Soccer training program (2011-2015)
  • A long and varied list of soccer and youth camps            

Playing Experience

  • American University (2011-2016)
  • Crofton Wolves Washington Area Girls Soccer (1998 - 2011)
  • Washington, DC Coed Soccer League (2016 - 2022)

Personal Information

  • Follows the U.S. Women's National Team closely! Will happily debate starting lineups and who should be on the roster!  
  • Just moved to Cleveland last fall, looking forward to meeting everyone in Shaker Youth Soccer! 
  • Hobbies outside of soccer are hiking, traveling, reading, and anything involving my friends and family! 

Talya Sterling

Talya Sterling

Recreation Director


Talya Sterling, SYSA Staff Coach

Coaching/ Youth Experience

  • USSF National Grassroots License
  • SYSA 2019-2021
  • Preschool teacher at the Mandel JCC (2015-2021)

Playing experience: 

  • Cleveland Blues 2002 - 2009
  • Progressive Adult league 2015 - present
  • Referee for High school games
  • Beachwood high school team manager 

Personal Information:

  • I love to hike, play with my dog Stella and when I am not on the soccer field you can find me crafting up something!
Jill Stulberg

Jill Stulberg

SYSA Staff Coach

Jill Stulberg, SYSA STAFF COACH

Coaching Experience

  • USSF National Grassroots License
  • SYSA volunteer Coach 2016. 2019

Playing experience: 

  • Johns Hopkins University- 4 year starting midfielder (1999-2002)
  • First team all-conference selection (2000, 2001, 2002)
  • Youth, high school and Olympic Development Program (ODP) participant in Oregon

Personal Information: