Raul Ovalle
A Colombian- American born and raised in Brentwood, N.Y., Raul is the coaching director of Valley Soccer Academy. As a player, his achievements included being an All-American in high school, as well as an All-CAA selection out of Old Dominion University. His professional playing career lasted over seven years with ranges from playing PDL, Div III, A-League, as well as playing in Europe for Debreceni in the Hungarian First Division.
Holds a National B License and as a Head W. Soccer coach at Davis and Elkins College from (2008-2013) he held an overall record of 63-42-4 and a conference record of 42-15-4 including a 10-0 regular season championship in 2009 and a GMAC tournament championship in 2013. Over his past ten years with VSA he has personally worked with over 1000 youth players in North Central WV.
Tristan Wierbonski
Coach Tristan is a South Korean born player raised in West Virginia, and has been playing soccer since the age of 4.
His youth Soccer career was with WV United based out of Morgantown, WV where he attended Morgantown High School from 2002-2006. In 2003 they were runners-up in State Finals and Tristan was named one of the All-State North/South players. One of his favorite experiences was the Trinidad and Tobago training tour he took in 2005.
After High School Coach Tristan went to play for the Davis and Elkins College from 2006-2010. In 2007 his team claimed the WVIAC regular season crown with a 17-5 record, 8-1 in their conference, while also managing to graduate with a B.S. in Sports Management and minor in Business. He then went on to be a Volunteer Assistant Coach for Davis and Elkins men’s team in 2010-11. Coach Tristan also attended Barry University where he received his Master’s Degree in Sport Management.
Coach Tristan has been a Head Coach and Assistant Coach for VSA since 2009 under Raul Ovalle. He partakes in coaching our youth and high school dynamic clinics, roadrunner programs, summer camps and individual 1on1 training.
Coach Tristan is the Marion FC tournament director, Excel Director of Operations and Excel Tournament Director.
He also holds a “D” U.S. Soccer Federation license and has certificates in; NFHS fundamentals of Coaching, NFHS First Aid, Health, and Safety for Coaches.
His youth Soccer career was with WV United based out of Morgantown, WV where he attended Morgantown High School from 2002-2006. In 2003 they were runners-up in State Finals and Tristan was named one of the All-State North/South players. One of his favorite experiences was the Trinidad and Tobago training tour he took in 2005.
After High School Coach Tristan went to play for the Davis and Elkins College from 2006-2010. In 2007 his team claimed the WVIAC regular season crown with a 17-5 record, 8-1 in their conference, while also managing to graduate with a B.S. in Sports Management and minor in Business. He then went on to be a Volunteer Assistant Coach for Davis and Elkins men’s team in 2010-11. Coach Tristan also attended Barry University where he received his Master’s Degree in Sport Management.
Coach Tristan has been a Head Coach and Assistant Coach for VSA since 2009 under Raul Ovalle. He partakes in coaching our youth and high school dynamic clinics, roadrunner programs, summer camps and individual 1on1 training.
- He is the Head Coach of Marion FC U11 and U17 girls teams
- He is the Assistant for the U18 girls team
- He is the Head Coach of Excel U12 girls team
- He is the current Boys Head Coach at East Fairmont High School
- He is a current WV ODP Staff Coach for 06/07 Girls
- He was the Assistant Coach for the University High School boys team in 2015
Coach Tristan is the Marion FC tournament director, Excel Director of Operations and Excel Tournament Director.
He also holds a “D” U.S. Soccer Federation license and has certificates in; NFHS fundamentals of Coaching, NFHS First Aid, Health, and Safety for Coaches.
Jeffrey Merrifield
Coach Jeff was born in Morgantown West Virginia, and grew up in Monterrey, Mexico until he was 14 y.o. Coach Jeff developed his skills and an understanding of the game through street soccer which lead him to join his youth club team "Rayados Contry". When he was 14 his family moved back to Fairmont, West Virginia where he started playing for local clubs. a year later he would Century United in Pittsburgh, PA. There he branched out for some new competition and to compete at a higher level and competed against teams up and down the east coast. Coach Jeff chose to attend Wheeling Jesuit College and got a scholarship to play for their men’s soccer team. Ridden with injuries he had to red shirt and Later decided to hang up his college career and move back to Fairmont where he would continue his studies as well as join a semi profesional team competing in the ASL. Coach Jeff is currently the U10 boys head coach, Tecnica Futsal Director & Private Session Director.
Brandon Waugerman
Coach Brandon was born and raised in Kingwood, West Virginia. He has been playing soccer ever since he was 5 years old. Started playing travel when he was 10 for a few different teams in the area including WV United. When he turned 12 he was scouted for the state ODP team and played with them for 6 years. In 2008 Steve Sampson (Former LA Galaxy and US Men's National team coach) chose Coach Brandon to represent the U.S. in the Brazilian youth cup. He attended Preston HS, as a junior/senior he led his team in goals and assists while also managing to put together an undefeated season in his senior year, and being named one of the all-stars for the North team. He spent his first two college years playing for the men's soccer team at Mercyhurst University, then transferred to Wheeling Jesuit, his junior year, to join their men's team. In fall of 2014 Coach Brandon turned his sights on coaching and helping others with soccer by joining VSA and becoming a head coach of the Marion FC U-13/14 Girls team. Coach Brandon works with our Dynamic, Private, Roadrunner and team sessions.
Ryan Krum
Coach Ryan born in Phoenixville Pa, and raised in Northern Virginia, has been playing since 4 years of age and a goal keeper since the age of 13. His youth club soccer team was The Mclean Thunder and for 8 years
trained with goal keeper coach Fatih Uraz, who played for the Turkey National Team. Coach Ryan played for the Westfield Bulldogs in high school and In 2009 they made it to the final four of the State Tournament.
Coach Ryan’s favorite soccer experience was traveling in Brazil on a 2 week soccer training tour and playing with some of the local professional teams. After High School Coach Ryan went to Davis and Elkins College to play for the men’s soccer team, winning freshman of the year in 2010. In 2015 Coach Ryan moved to West Virginia to coach with Raul Ovalle and old friends Coach Pat and Coach Tristan. Coach Ryan works with our Dynamic, private, roadrunner and team sessions and is also head coach of the U-11/12 Marion FC boys team.
trained with goal keeper coach Fatih Uraz, who played for the Turkey National Team. Coach Ryan played for the Westfield Bulldogs in high school and In 2009 they made it to the final four of the State Tournament.
Coach Ryan’s favorite soccer experience was traveling in Brazil on a 2 week soccer training tour and playing with some of the local professional teams. After High School Coach Ryan went to Davis and Elkins College to play for the men’s soccer team, winning freshman of the year in 2010. In 2015 Coach Ryan moved to West Virginia to coach with Raul Ovalle and old friends Coach Pat and Coach Tristan. Coach Ryan works with our Dynamic, private, roadrunner and team sessions and is also head coach of the U-11/12 Marion FC boys team.
Joshua Henderson
Coach Josh was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia. When he was 4 years old he started playing soccer. Growing up Coach Josh played for a few club teams in the PA west league, such as Penns Forrest, where he won 2 state titles, and Beadling. In high school Coach Josh attended Wheeling Park HS, as a high school player coach josh was selected for the All-state team 3 times and was named West Virginia player of the year at the end of his senior year, they were also State runner ups twice. Coach Josh went on to attend and play at West Virginia Wesylean College until he was plagued with injuries and transferred to West Virginia University so he could focus on his studies. While attending WVU Coach Josh stumbled upon a coaching opportunity to head the women’s club team, also worked with West Virginia Elite. In 2015 Coach Josh came to coach with Raul Ovalle in Fairmont and is now heading up our branch of coaching in Wheeling West Virginia.
Rob Breton
