Following a 2022 season that saw an "unexpected" stint with playoff-bound Houston Dynamo 2 as assistant coach, U-15 head coach Jeremy Hurdle began his preparations for the current MLS Next season.
"I definitely learned a lot, but whether I was with Dynamo two or helping with the U-20's, the U-15's have remained my primary goal," said Hurdle. "We ended the fall part of the season with a big event with all the MLS academies in California. That was a great way to end the fall, finish the top of our group with some top teams in it. After a bit of a break, we're back with a few weeks of training, and I've had one game so far, and we're just kind of ramping into the spring."
As Hurdle returned to his native Philadelphia to unwind over the holiday with family, another piece of unexpected news came upon him. Hurdle was nominated to participate in the Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL) program in partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF). One of the most highly regarded and rigorous soccer coaching courses in the world, the EFCL will run a total of seven weeks over an 18-month period (February 2023 – July 2024), which begins on February 1 at the famed INF Clairefontaine outside of Paris.
"I was super excited. It didn't feel real," said Hurdle. "I wasn't aware that I was nominated, and it's a huge honor to be the one nominated from the Dynamo and join 25 of my colleagues at the French National Training Center. After the first week of the course, we'll be immersed in coaching observation, where we've been assigned to a specific club in France. We go there and be behind the scenes for a week, observing what they do, how they coach, interviewing staff. After returning from France, there's a number of meetings and follow up visits for course meetings."
The once in a lifetime experience not only excites Hurdle in his personal development as a coach, but the knowledge and expertise he can imbue upon his players at a U-15 level.
"One of the best things for me since I've been at the Dynamo has been the opportunities to be exposed to different environments," said Hurdle. "I really get excited being in different team and training environments, so I can't wait to observe and be around coaches with different kind of backgrounds and expertise. I'll not only learn from the instructors on the course in a different methodology, but exchange ideas with my colleagues on the course as well."
Following Hurdle's return from France, he and the U-15 side will host FC Dallas in a Texas Derby on February 18th. Kickoff is slated at 3:30pm at Houston Sports Park.
