NEW YORK (Wednesday, October 30, 2024) – Major League Soccer today announced that FC Dallas Academy coach Adam Wells is one of 22 coaches that received their Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL) in partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF). One of the most highly regarded and rigorous soccer coaching courses in the world, the fifth iteration of the EFCL ran a total of seven weeks over an 18-month period, which culminated at the famed INF Clairefontaine outside of Paris in August.
“We are proud of Adam Wells and his continued development as a coach within our academy,” FC Dallas Academy Vice President Chris Hayden said. “Adam has been working in our academy for several years primarily with younger academy teams (U12-U14). This past summer he was promoted to U16 Academy Head Coach. Adam follows in the footsteps of other past FC Dallas Academy and first team coaches to obtain his EFCL License. Prior FC Dallas graduates of the course include Luchi Gonzalez, Nico Estévez, Chris Hayden, Ben Cross, Scott James, and Matias Asorey.”
As part of the program, coaches were required to submit a final project that incorporated classroom and on-field instruction, illustrating their ability to master teachings over the course of the 18 months. The projects were then evaluated based on the candidates’ ability to implement a principle of play within their environment or team.
2024 Elite Formation Coaching License Recipients
- Will Bates, Atlanta United U16 Head Coach
- Patrick Daka, Charlotte FC U14 Head Coach/ Director of Pre-formation
- Selim Talbi, Chicago Fire FC U16 Head Coach
- Matt Arrington, DC Soccer Club Director of Coaching
- Adam Wells, FC Dallas U16 Head Coach
- Jeremy Hurdle, Houston Dynamo FC Interim MLS NEXT Pro Head Coach
- Luis Pacheco, Sporting Kansas City U15 Head Coach
- Andrew May, Los Angeles Football Club U18 Head Coach
- Jason Boxx, Nashville SC U16 Head Coach
- Rob Becerra, New England Revolution Director of Youth Development
- Liam Connors, New England Revolution U13 Head Coach
- Michael Dal Pra, New York City FC U18 Head Coach
- Jonathan Rhodes, New York Red Bulls Head of Player Development & Pro Pathway
- Eric Dutt, Ohio Premier Soccer Club Boys Formation Director/U16 Head Coach
- Pedro Cavalcanti, Philadelphia Union U16 Head Coach
- Peter McDonnell, Philadelphia Union U18 Head Coach
- Erin Ridley, San Jose Earthquakes U16 Head Coach
- Steven Sosa, San Jose Earthquakes U18 Head Coach
- Brayton Knapp, Seattle Sounders FC Development Methodology Assistant and Analyst/U15 Head Coach
- Dan Fairhurst, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U18 Head Coach
- Tyrone Marshall, FC Cincinnati MLS NEXT Pro Head Coach
- Elliot Prost Colorado Rapids U17 Head Coach
Overall, the EFCL platform has played a pivotal role in MLS Homegrown development and the growth of several head coaches, assistants, and general managers throughout MLS and MLS NEXT Pro. FC Cincinnati 2 head coach Tyrone Marshall, who was a recipient of the Elite Formation Coaching License this year, was previously named the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year on October 16. Additionally, Chicago Fire FC academy head coach Selim Talbi, helped the Fire’s U15 side win an MLS NEXT Cup championship in June before completing the program.
“The EFCL License, offered through MLS partnership with the FFF, has aided in the development of many FC Dallas past and current coaches and will continue to be instrumental in the pathway for future FC Dallas Academy staff,” Hayden added.
Coaches and front office members who previously received their Elite Formation Coaching License have laid strong coaching foundations across MLS and MLS NEXT Pro over the last decade. Notable graduates include current MLS head coaches Nico Estévez (Austin FC), Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew), and Greg Vanney (LA Galaxy).
MLS is currently working with the French Football Federation on the sixth iteration of the Elite Formation Coaching License program which would begin in the spring of 2025.
