Congratulations to Greg Chatfield, D.C. United's July Coach of the Month!

Greg began his coaching career 9 years ago when his son Thomas' U10 coach needed an assistant. After a year of being an assistant coach, Greg was more than ready to go back to being a soccer dad on the sidelines, when a friend asked him to help coach the St. John's at Prospect Hall (now St. John's Catholic Prep) girl's varsity team. The initial group of girls that Greg coached his first couple of years and the friendship that he shared with Sheldon Henry, the head coach at St. John's, spawned a passion in Greg. He realized that he wanted to make a difference in young players lives through coaching soccer.

Throughout his entire career Greg has taken advantage of every opportunity to expand his knowledge of the game and coaching. He has attended coaching courses offered by the USSF and the NSCAA, as well as numerous summer camps. Greg has also used the support of a number of talented coached around him to hone his skills. He has found that watching other coaches train their teams can truly be an invaluable tool.

While coaching at St. John's, Greg also took the time to coach his daughter's recreational team for four years. After that time, they both decided that they needed a new challenge. They joined the FC Frederick soccer club in Frederick Maryland. Greg's son has also played with the FC Frederick for the last 7 years.

Greg continued on with his coaching career, and great opportunities kept coming his way. Three years ago Greg was offered to join the coaching staff at Tuscarora High School and become the girls JV coach. This opportunity gave Greg a chance to work under one of the most respected girls soccer coaches in Maryland, Mark Wolcott, and also gave him an opportunity to yet again coach his daughter.

Although St. John's is where Greg began his career, he doesn't feel that he could have found a better environment than the one he has found in Tuscarora High School & FC Frederick. Throughout this past season, Greg has continued to live and coach by a motto that was passed down to him by a colleague: "Never let the pressure affect the pleasure." This is a simple message that will allow all coaches, parents and players who follow it to enjoy the beautiful game of soccer for many years to come.

We at D.C. United would like to thank Greg Chatfield for his passion for the game and his desire to mold the youth of our area. He is a prime example of what all coaches should be, and is well deserving of our D.C. United Coaches Association Coach of the Month award!

If you know a coach that you would like to see as our next Coach of the Month, drop us a line and tell us why you think they deserve to win.

To nominate a fellow colleague for the August Coach of the Month, send an e-mail here. In your e-mail, be sure to tell us why your nominee should be selected for this award.