SOCCER

COACHES Mark Gillon & Rich Powell

The Berkshire United SC Soccer Program will be directed by Mark Gillon, Berkshire School Head Girls Soccer Coach & Rich Powell, Salisbury School Head Boys Soccer Coach.

Together, Gillon and Powell have consistently offered elite-level coaching to develop high-level soccer players. Their leadership has played a vital role in providing players with opportunities to excel at the highest levels, guiding them toward individual goals, including collegiate soccer.

Mark Gillon

Mark, a native of Northumberland, United Kingdom, made his way to the U.S. in 2005, joining Soccer Domain Academy in New Jersey. During his NJ tenure, he specialized in guiding elite players of all ages, facilitating college placements, and earning national team recognition for both male and female players. Mark also contributed to the Technical Staff at Montclair Kimberley Academy, a distinguished private school in New Jersey.

In 2013, Mark relocated to Berkshire County, establishing Stateline Football Club. Through Stateline, he gained substantial experience working with youth and high school-level players in the region. Mark also held the position of Regional Director at FC Boston Bolts for three years.

Since 2017, Mark has served as the Head Coach of Girls Varsity Soccer at Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA. Under his leadership, the Bears have qualified for four postseason tournaments.

Richard Powell

Richard, a native of Nuneaton, United Kingdom, made his way to the U.S. in 2006, joining Soccer Domain Academy in New Jersey. After establishing a strong presence in New Jersey, Powell transitioned to the Berkshires, becoming the Academy Director for SDA's Club efforts in Massachusetts. Powell played a crucial role in working with premier players and local travel programs, concurrently serving as the Director of Coaching at Pittsfield Soccer Club.

Since 2017, Powell has held the position of Head Coach for Boys Varsity Soccer at Salisbury School in Salisbury, CT.

SOCCER SKILLS

Our soccer program provides a comprehensive curriculum centered around honing individual skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting, while concurrently placing a strong emphasis on strategic team dynamics.

  • Ball Mastery

    Master ball manipulation and fundamental game skills through unopposed exercises. Focus on receiving, passing, scanning, player movement, and introductory decision-making.

  • Individual Player Performance (IPP)

    Develop decision-making and technical execution in small-group competitive & tactical settings. Explore player influence in 1v1 duels and situations like 2v1, 3v2, 1v2, and 2v3.

  • Attacking Development

    Drills centered on attacking buildup and execution in the final third. Emphasize striking, finishing, wide play, forward movement, and creating goal-scoring chances from both individual and team perspectives.

  • Defensive Play

    Focus on individual, small-group, and team defending in specific field zones. Cover defending the player, protecting space, recognizing triggers to press or drop, and addressing various game-specific scenarios.

  • Phases and Functions of Play

    Tactical training integrating attacking and defending for realistic gameplay. We highlight individual and team tactical approaches both with and without the ball in session-specific scenarios.

  • Soccer-Specific Agility and Speed Training

    We enhance on-field speed, agility, and adaptability through targeted exercises. We will break down components related to physical qualities and movement mechanics to catalyze significant strides in player development.

UNITED FIELD

United Field is home to our soccer program. It is meticulously maintained, ensuring optimal performance and safety for players equipped with top-quality turf, stadium seating, and lights.