Emanuele Cocuzza

Asst. Director of Coaching, U11B Academy I

Coaching Experience:

  • Years of coaching experience: 5 years
  • Coaching license:
    • USSF National C License
    • Certificate in Opposition Analysis - APFA
    • Certificate in Modern Attacking Play - APFA
    • Certificate in Tactical Analysis - Barcelona FC
    • In-Residency Juventus Academy Coach Certification (Italy)
  • Academy Head Coach - Juventus Academy DC Metro (Present)
  • Asst. DoC - Juventus Academy DC Metro (Present)
  • Leadership Committee - Juventus Academy DC Metro (Present)
  • Assistant Coach - Montgomery College Men’s Soccer (Present)
  • Head Coach - WWS Middle School Girls (2022-2023)
  • Head Coach - Juventus Futures Program (2022-2024)
  • Assistant Coach - Juventus Academy DC Metro (2021-2022)
  • Private Coach/Individual Trainer (2020-2022)

Youth Playing Experience & Awards:

  • HS Varsity - Washington Waldorf School
  • Potomac Valley Athletic Conference All Star Team (3 years)
  • HS Varsity MVP - WWS (2018, 2019, 2020)
  • Alana Marie Lake Award (2018)
  • Club/Intramural Soccer - UMD, College Park
  • Travel Soccer - DMV area
  • U10 North Italy Regional Champion - Luciano Manara Club

Collegiate/Professional Playing Experience:

  • IMF Intramural League - UMD, College Park

Favorite team:

  • Lazio

Hobbies:

  • Cooking
  • Reading
  • Drawing/Painting

Why did you choose to become a coach?

Soccer is my wonderful obsession. Growing up in Italy, I have breathed, eaten, and absorbed the game from playing in the streets, on the field, and watching it in front of the TV. The ball has taught me many lessons while coaching became my way of giving back to the sport. To this day, being a coach remains the most intellectually challenging, inspiring, and rewarding profession I have ever experienced.

What do you enjoy about coaching?

Coaching a team is more than training a group of individuals. Over the years, I have enjoyed how my players became a group of friends that was able to push through difficult times. A coach, before everything, is responsible for the creation of an environment of respect, inclusion, fun, and challenge. The bond between players, coaches, and parents has marked the greatest seasons I have been a part of. Successful teams, in my experience, are made of strong groups holding good values for themselves and the community around them.

How do you hope to inspire your players?

I believe in the power of example. The way I carry myself on the soccer field reflects energy, positivity, and excitement. My coaching encourages the meeting of a challenge, working through emotions, and playing around the field with a smile on your face!

Emanuele Cocuzza