Recently, Maryland Bobcats Football Club announced the appointment of President of the Youth Academy, Alex Kao as Head Coach of the Senior Team for the 2023 National Independent Soccer Association season. \

 

Even before the announcement, Coach Kao had been preparing for the season including assembling his coaching staff. These assistant coaches have deep roots in the soccer scene in Maryland and the D.C. Metropolitan area. They are experienced and passionate coaches that will be integral during the season as Maryland Bobcats FC looks to capitalize on the success of last season which included a playoff appearance. 

 

First, we have Assistant Coach Anthony Ugorji. Born in Nigeria, and raised in Washington, DC, Anthony found a love and passion for soccer at a very young age. Anthony played travel soccer through his teenage years, and also received a Division 1 scholarship to play at Longwood University in Farmville, VA, playing all four years and going on to captain the team his final two years while graduating in 2015. 

 

Anthony majored in physics and had a minor in mathematics during his undergraduate tenure at Longwood University. Anthony is currently completing his final year of his masters program in physical education with a concentration in coaching at Southwest Minnesota State University.

 

Throughout his coaching career, Anthony worked with kids from the ages of 3 -18 years old. Anthony is also a full time General Manager at Redline Athletics, which is a National sports performance brand that specializes in comprehensive athletic development and speed and agility training for athletes.

 

His motto is “Think Higher; Feel deeper.”

 

Alongside Ugorji is Assistant Coach, Moe Gueye .               Coach Moe is of Senegalese and French Origin. In his early years, he played for the DC United Academy and the Real Maryland Monarchs. 

 

Following his youth career, Coach Moe went on to play in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) with SureSports FC and Germantown City FC. 

 

He has previously coached at the youth levels with Takoma Park graspyouth Club in Silver Spring at the U12 and U13 levels. 

 

He also has a USSF D coaching license pending. 

 

 

 

Joining Coach Anthony and Coach Moe is Assistant Coach Masoud Montazeri Jouybari. Coach Masoud grew up in Iran and played competitive soccer until age 13 in Persepolis academy. From a young age, his favorite things were gaining an understanding of tactics and strategies in soccer, and the mental aspects that influence performance in sports. 

 

His parents sent him to the United States at the age of 16 with the goal of pursuing a medical degree. By junior year of college, he decided to change his path and decided to major in psychology, where he  graduated from UMBC with a BA in psychology and philosophy. 

 

After college, Coach Masoud pursued a graduate degree of MA in sport psychology, and started to get involved in coaching youth soccer in 2016.

 

“Soon I realized that this has always been my dream and now I have a chance to pursue it, and used my education to supplement my development as a coach,” said Jouybari. 

 

Coach Masoud has had roles assistant coaching boys Varsity soccer in Bishop McNamara, head coaching girls Varsity in Watkins Mill HS, and later Jackson Reed HS (DCIAA champion).

 

 

He also assisted the boys U12 to U16 EDP and national league in Aspen Hill soccer club, head coached boys U16 (NCSL 3) in Potomac soccer, head coached the men’s U23 team in District Reign (APL league), assistant coached the men’s U23 squad in Brookland FC (EDP), and is currently working as director of coaching in Avanti Athletics. 

 

Coach Masoud holds a USSF C license and is currently applying for the B license and waiting for approval.