Coaching Staff
Liam Wilson - Director of Player Development
Liam is originally from Newcastle, England and having obtained a university degree in Sport Development and Coaching he returned to Newcastle University to enhance his qualifications by successfully passing a Teaching course to become a fully licensed teacher.
Following this Liam worked as a Primary school teacher in England for 3 years before moving to North Carolina in 2016 to take up a role as school teacher at an Elementary school in Indian Trail.
Liam started coaching at the age of 16 whilst in England and during this time he studied for and completed the level 1 and level 2 FA Coaching licenses. His first team were under 7's who he developed over a 6-year period into one of the most successful youth soccer teams in the region.
Liam's coaching experience also includes working for UK International Soccer
in the Portland and Seattle areas where he was a camp coach and coordinator.
During Liam's time as a 5th grade teacher in NC he took the opportunity to also
coach at Charlotte Soccer Academy where he became a very well respected coach. Working with players from youth academy to 18U on both the girls and boys programs, Liam ended his time by winning the ECNL Regional division, along with coaching and developing an 03G team who went on to represent CSA in both State Cup Finals and Regionals.
in the Portland and Seattle areas where he was a camp coach and coordinator.
During Liam's time as a 5th grade teacher in NC he took the opportunity to also
coach at Charlotte Soccer Academy where he became a very well respected coach. Working with players from youth academy to 18U on both the girls and boys programs, Liam ended his time by winning the ECNL Regional division, along with coaching and developing an 03G team who went on to represent CSA in both State Cup Finals and Regionals.
Nathan Williams - Elite Coaching Staff
Over the past 20 years in the United States, Nathan has had the opportunity of working at various levels of soccer from young special needs players through to the professionals in the MLS and USL. He has gained many valuable experiences in different parts of the country and at an assortment of different levels.
Nathan has enjoyed a very successful career in youth development working in elite leadership roles as ECNL Director at the Carolina Raids Soccer Club and Charlotte Soccer Academy in North Carolina, overseeing the player development of the elite girls U13 –U19. Prior to moving to NC, Nathan spent 10 years as the Executive Director at Placer United in Sacramento, California. A number of additional roles through his career have seen him serve as the Director & Head Coach of the U18 and U16 Boys Development Academy, as well as being a part of the US Soccer’s Youth National Team scouting network for the U15 and U18 girls. Nathan also understands the value of high school soccer, guiding Providence High School (Charlotte NC) to the 2016 4A State Championship. In 2016 Nathan's 98 girls were crowned US Club National Champions in Indianapolis and in 2017 his U19 Girls were crowned USYS National Champions in Dallas, Texas. As well as being regular presenter each year at the United Soccer Coaches convention presenting both on the field and in the classroom, he also has the honor of being a coach educator for both US Soccer and the United Soccer Coaches. He travels the country presenting to a number of youth soccer programs on coach development and creating a club culture.
He places a great deal of emphasis on continued learning which is why this summer (2019) he started part one of the UEFA “A” License in Europe. This License will be complete in June 2020. He also holds his USSF “A” License, NSCAA Premier Diploma, UEFA “B” License and was a part of the USSF Coach Educators License “pilot course” in 2017. Nathan married Megan in August 2001. They have two children; a son Knox (15) and daughter Haige (12), and live in South Charlotte.
Jeremy Weeks - Elite Coaching Staff
Over the past 20 years working in the soccer industry, Jeremy has had the opportunity of working at various levels of soccer from young development players to elite youth players to collegiate players. He has gained many valuable experiences through different roles with various organizations. Jeremy has enjoyed success with developing youth players while working in leadership roles as Youth Academy Director at Lake Norman Soccer Club and Storm Soccer Academy in Savannah, GA. After leading both youth academies, Jeremy also led Lake Norman Soccer Club girls program as Director of Coaching, while also serving in various assistant coaching roles at the collegiate level, as a staff member for US Soccer’s Market Training Center, and as a staff coach for Park City Soccer Club in Utah.
Jeremy’s coaching accomplishments include winning a North Carolina President’s Cup in 2001 with a U13 (87) boys team. In 2013 a North Carolina State Cup with U13 (99) girls and a US Club National Championship in 2014 with U14 (99) girls. Coaching Education is a big emphasis for him as he holds his USSF “A” License, NSCAA Premier Diploma, and has completed the US Youth Soccer Youth Academy Director course.
George Espina - Elite Coaching Staff
George was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and moved to Charlotte at the age of 2. He started playing at the age of 4 up to the end of college in 2021 at Belmont Abbey. George played most of his youth soccer at CSA including 5 years in the DA program playing against some of the best clubs in the country. He then finished a Sports Management Degree at Belmont Abbey after winning a Conference Championship coached by Nathan Williams. Since then George has moved in to coaching with Charlotte Development Academy where he works with the younger age groups.