Congratulations to Scott Needle, D.C. United's July Coach of the Month!

Scott Needle came highly recommended from many of his peers and players' parents. Scott's dedication to his community and to his teams made him an obvious choice for D.C. United Coaches Association Coach of the Month. Everyone at D.C. United would like to thank Scott for molding our youth and creating a generation of players that will help further the American brand of soccer!

Growing up Scott played goalie and his first coach played for the New York Cosmos. One of his earliest highlights had Franz Beckenbauer shooting at him when Scott's team got to meet the Cosmos after winning the U8 championship. Playing goalie gave a bird's eye view of the game and how it should be played. Many technical ideas came from watching the game from the goalie box. Scott continued to play soccer up through high school until graduation.

Coach Scott began coaching by accident, "My mother signed up me eldest daughter Allison to play at the YMCA and checked the box that said assistant" and thus began the roller coaster ride. After three seasons Allison's soccer career ended and Scott wasn't sure if any of his four other children would have an interest.

After a two-year hiatus, Scott's 4-year-old son Caleb possessed a real spirit toward playing the game and the coaching pants (this time head coaching) got put back on again. Within a season his older son Adam (6 at the time) started playing and the ball really started rolling. Depending on the season, Scott sometimes coached two teams at a time and in the spring of 2008 he coached the Blanco Ballers (U6) team that had his youngest daughter Lydia, and youngest son Seth on it. The Canolies (U9) that had his son Caleb on it, and he assisted at Cloverhill for the (u10) river dogs from which his son Adam played on.

Teaching children continues to be the highlight for coach Scott. "It is amazing to see what kind of effect you can have on children since many are in different situations. To see a child go from a 6-year-old child who can't even dribble a ball straight, to a child that within two years is one touching a ball with his weak foot is beautiful." Keeping drills fun is very important to develop these types of transformations.

The family is paramount especially to a clan as large as the Needle family, coach would like to thank his wife Jennifer (ok without her would he really be coaching), Frank and Chris Patterson, George and Carolyn Needle (these are the four grandparents) for helping get the kids too, and helping watch the children during game days and practices.

Scott's teams have been blessed to have many excellent players, allowing him to look like he "actually knows what he is doing". The accomplishments include: Spring 2005 (U8) runner up, Fall 2005 (U8) champion, Fall 2006 (U10) champions, Fall 2006 (U8) champions, Winter 2007 (U12) Champions, Winter 2007 (U9) champions, Spring 2007 (u10) runner up, Spring 2007 (U8) Champions, Fall 2007 (u10) runner up, Fall 2007 Easl Open Champions (U10), Winter 2008 U12 (champions), Spring 2008 (U10) champions. As assistant coach the River Dogs he won the FCYSL 245 division and also won the Middletown 4x4, and Waynesboro 4x4 championships.

Scott would like to thank the wonderful coaches that have either assisted him or vice versa. Alan Needle, Jose Pinto, Mike Wojton, Jeff Busch, Mark Diggs, Brian Kelley, Dennis Berenschot, Jeff Simmons, Henry Tennant, and Mike Askounas were all pivotal in this award also. Scott would also like to thank the Arrington family (Scott, Tomara, Kade and Olivia) for nominating me for this award. Last but not least my wonderful wife Jennifer.

"Thank you D.C. United coaches association, and remember if you can get a child to smile, you've opened up a door."