Club

We are here for the youth, community and love of the game.

At FC Charleston we seek to re-affirm soccer as a community. We focus on developing well-rounded athletes, in a team-oriented environment where the club will feel like family and the emphasis is on group achievement and success. We foster a life-long love for the game, and in so doing forge life-long friendships, connections, and relationships that will extend far beyond the soccer pitch.

We want to unify the Lowcountry experience for youth in soccer. We are an affiliate of James Island Youth Soccer Club and have safe and quality field access across the Lowcountry.

We provide an affordable, safe, quality and innovative learning environment to stimulate an optimal culture to grow.

Players

Integrity, Sportsmanship, Excellence and Empathy


Players are the central to what we do at FC Charleston. Players will participate with Self-Integrity to grow. Conduct Sportsmanship by playing the right way, knowing and following the rules, respecting all members of game and maintain self-control. Excellence in every aspect of the game from technical ball mastery, athletic development, tactical comprehension, psychological composure, and academic focus. Empathy in players' ability to understand and share the feelings of one another is essential to developing healthy and successful relationships. 

Coaches

Commitment to a developmental pathway with the best interest of all players as priority.

Our coaching staff is the best and most experienced in the Lowcountry with over 50 years of combined coaching experience.  Our coaches hold coaching and playing experience from professional, collegiate, high school, and grass root ranks. Many of our coaches hold leadership positions in their respective professions that were originally fostered by a passion through the love of the game.

Diversity - We embrace and celebrate our differences because the game makes us one. Character - We honor, teach and develop the core values of honesty, loyalty, responsibility, selflessness, empathy, and discipline. Fun is the root that can make every soccer player a success translating to passion and love of the game to work hard, self-confidence and possess creativity. We promote Health and wellness to welcome experience in body, mind and spirit. We embrace technology and innovation to accessibility, make efficient, provide objective feedback, learning tools, and give players competitive advantage in their development journey.

Coaching Staff

SachinPatel
Sachin Patel
President
Academy Director
From: Born- Leicestershire, UK, Raised- London, UK
Education: MSc in Bioinformatics University of Oxford, UK, BS in Mathematics from Augusta State University, BS in Computer Science from Augusta State University.
Coaching Education: UEFA "B", NSCAA GK level 1 & 2, League Managers Association, National Diploma of Coaching, English FA Senior Badge
Playing Experience: Semi-professional for Gillingham FC, Charlton Athletic F.C. Academy U14-U17.
Coaching Experience: FC Charleston 2020-Present, Porter Gaud Varsity Head Coach 2020-Present, SC Surf (USA/MP) Staff Coach 2012-2020, Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club Staff Coach & Academy 2000-2012, Youth Coach at Charlton Athletic, UK.1996-1998
Professional Status: Chief Technology Officer/Co-owner SpursTech.com, PlayToFeet.com, HITechnologySolutions.com
Professional Link: LinkedIn
BrianPiesner
Brian Piesner
Board Member
Academy Coach
From: Long Island, New York
Education: Rutgers University, Psychology
Coaching Education:
Playing Experience: Houston Texans U16 National Champions, Rutgers University 1996-1999, 1998 U21 National team camp NIKE facilities Portland Oregon, 1999 Central Jersey USL Premier Development Team, 1999 Pre-Season camp EPL Blackburn Rovers, 2000 MLS Super draft 46th overall pick Dallas Burn, 22nd pick Atlanta Silverbacks USL A-League draft, 2000 Atlanta Silverbacks USL A-League, 2001 Charleston Battery USL A-League, 2002 Atlanta Silverbacks USL A-League
Coaching Experience: 1996-1999 East Brunswich Soccer U8-U10, Orange County Soccer Club U9-U13, USAMP Boys/Girls 2018-2020
Professional Status: Owner and operator of Coastal Crust and Vintage Coffee Cafe
Professional Link: LinkedIn
NickRivera
Nick Rivera
Board Member
Academy Coach
From: Anderson, SC
Education: Charleston School of Law, CLemson
Coaching Education:
Playing Experience: Member of Region III ODP Pool, SC ODP, All South and All State selection. 3 year starter at Clemson University, helped lead the Tigers to an ACC Championship in 2001. Nick participated in four NCAA tournament appearances with two Elite 8 appearances and a Sweet 16 appearance. At Clemson, Nick earned several individual honors such as Coaches Achievement Award, Furman Invitation Defensive MVP, and Clemson Invitation All-Tournament Team.
Coaching Experience: Clemson Soccer Camp Staff Coach, Sweet Feet Staff Coach, FCC 2013B Coach
Professional Status: Partner at Young Clement Rivers, LLP
Professional Link: LinkedIn
BenjiAnderson
Benji Anderson
Board Member
Academy Coach
From: Greenwood, SC
Education: BS of Accounting
Coaching Education: SCYSC C License
Playing Experience: Lander University
Coaching Experience: Various high level youth coaching throughout SC for more than 20 years
Professional Status: First Citizens Bank
Professional Link: LinkedIn
MarkHladek
Mark Hladek
Academy Coach
From: Wheeling, WV
Education: Doctor of Education, University of South Carolina
Coaching Education: NSCAA Advanced Regional Certificate
Playing Experience: 3 Year Starter for Wheeling Jesuit University, helped WJU to a #1 regular season ranking and Elite 8 Appearance in 2000
Coaching Experience: FC Charleston 2012 & 2013 Boys Coach 2020-Present; Wando High School Varsity Assistant 2010-2012; Mount Pleasant Soccer Club Head & Assistant Coach 2010-2012; Wheeling Jesuit University Women's Assistant Coach 2006-07; Wheeling Park High School Women's Head Coach 2006-07; Wheeling Central High School Women's Coach 2005; Three Saints Academy Founder & Director 2005-07; Wheeling Soccer Club Head Coach & Assistant 199-2008; Bethany Soccer Club Camp Counselor 1999-2008
Professional Status: District Climate Coach, Charleston County School District
Professional Link: LinkedIn
BrentKahuda
Brent Kahuda
Academy Coach
From: Woodstock, CT
Education: Western Maryland College BA Business Administration, Minor Sports Management
Coaching Education: US Soccer Grassroots
Playing Experience: Connecticut All-State, WNEPSSA All Region and All New-England, Western Maryland College/McDaniel College 2-Sport Student Athlete (Soccer and Baseball) 1999-2003.
Coaching Experience: 8+years youth soccer Charleston City and Mt. Pleasant. Various camps and clinics as staff goalkeeper coach. FCC 2013B and Goalkeeper Academy.
Professional Status: Owner and Practice Manager, Charleston Harbor Veterinarians
Professional Link: LinkedIn
GriffinMorrow
Griffin Morrow
Academy Coach
From: Charleston, SC
Education: BS in Business from the College of Charleston
Coaching Education: SCYSA/USSOCCER D License
Playing Experience: Some at College of Charleston. Men’s League
Coaching Experience: Beach United U8/U10/U12 Boys and Girls. Surf Little Surfers. FCCharleston SweetFeet
Professional Status: Partner - President of Sales - Mappus Insurance Agency, Inc.
Professional Link: LinkedIn
RandyOwen
Randy Owen
Academy Coach
From: Irmo, SC
Education: Bachelors in Health Sciences - Coastal Carolina University. Masters in Health Administration - Bellevue University
Coaching Education: Grassroots
Playing Experience: Club Soccer: NECSA Galaxy (now SCUFC) in Columbia, SC. Won 6 state cup championships, 2 Region III tournament semifinal appearances. High School Soccer: All State, All South. Won 2 SC state championships with Irmo High School. Olympic Development Program (ODP): Member of SC ODP team 7 years, Region III ODP Team (3 years) College Soccer: Center midfielder at Coastal Carolina University, 2 Big South Conference Championships, All tournament team. 3 NCAA tournament appearances and 1 sweet 16 appearance. Captain Senior season. Semiprofessional in Kalamazoo/Detroit, Michigan
Coaching Experience: Coastal Carolina Univ, Camp Staff Coach. 2 years with Daniel Island Soccer Academy. 8 Years with South Carolina United Mt. Pleasant (SCUMP, now Surf). FC Charleston 2021 - present
Professional Status: Managing Consultant - Guidehouse (Healthcare Segment)
Professional Link: LinkedIn
MichaelAnhaesner
Michael Anhaesner
Academy Coach
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Education: Indiana University
Coaching Education:
Playing Experience: Indiana University 1988-1991, Charleston Battery 1994-98 (115 appearences)
Coaching Experience: Charleston Battery Head Coach 2004-2021, Charleston Battery Assistant 1999-2004, 2013 USL Hall of Fame Inductee, 2006 USL-1 Coach of the year, 2010 USL Champion, 2012 USL Pro Champion
Professional Status: Project Manager for Spurstech
StefanosDiakrousis
Stefanos Diakrousis
Academy Coach
From:
Education:
Coaching Education:
Playing Experience:
Coaching Experience:
Professional Status:
GarrisonRudisill
Garrison Rudisill
Academy Coach
From: Wilmington, NC
Education: Methodist University
Coaching Education: 40 year student of the beautiful game
Playing Experience: 3 year varsity player at New Hanover High School, 4 year starter at Methodist University, team captain, and two time All conference team. Two seasons in USL Pro with semi-professional team Wilmington Hammerheads.
Coaching Experience: Youth camp coach for Wilmington Hammerheads. 3 years with FCC Junior Program
Professional Status: Vice President at Maritime Insurance International.
JonathanPeavey
Jonathan Peavey
Academy Coach
From: Wilson, NC
Education: B.A. in History at The Citadel
Coaching Education: 7v7 USYSA
Playing Experience: D1 The Citadel ‘97-‘01
Coaching Experience: 20+ years in coaching: high school, college, and different clubs in all age groups
Professional Status: Commercial Banker Beacon Community Bank
Professional Link: LinkedIn
NateDiakrousis
Nate Reid
Academy Coach
From: Morganton, NC
Education: BA from Wofford College. MHA from Medical University of South Carolina
Coaching Education: SCYSA/US Soccer D license (expected completion 2023)
Playing Experience: NC Northwestern 4A Conference Player of the Year 1995, Winston Salem Twins U17 NC State Champion 1997, North Carolina All-State selection (1995, 1996), McDonalds East/West All Star Selection 1997, Wofford College Men’s Soccer 1997-2001
Coaching Experience: Wofford College Soccer Camp, 5 years local coaching experience ages 4-8, FCC 2014 Navy
Professional Status: Vice Chair, Finance and Administration, MUSC Dept of Neurosurgery
Professional Link: LinkedIn
NickPleines
Nick Pleines
Academy Coach
From: Long Island, NY
Education: MA Adolescent Education - Social Studies (Adelphi University), BA History (Adelphi University)
Coaching Education: 7v7 License, 9v9 License, 11v11 License
Playing Experience: Played DIII soccer at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Earned SUNYAC All-Academic Team Member honors (2014).
Coaching Experience: Have coached at a number of youth clubs in NY since 2017 including: (East Coast FC, Metropolitan Oval Academy and SUSA Academy.) In addition, have coached JV + Varsity soccer since 2017 at Holy Trinity Diocesan HS, Mineola High School, Kellenberg Memorial High School and now Oceanside Collegiate Academy.
Professional Status: Taught Grades 6-8 Social Studies in NYC. Assistant Varsity Coach at Oceanside Collegiate Academy.
Professional Link: LinkedIn
WesleeRowe
Weslee Rowe
Academy Coach
From: Potomac, MD
Education: Brown University
Coaching Education:
Playing Experience: Brown University - 4 years, Team Captain Sr. Year
Coaching Experience:
Professional Status:
Professional Link: LinkedIn
WesMartino
Wes Martino
Academy Coach
From: Westport, CT
Education: College of Charleston (BS), Elon University (MBA)
Coaching Education:
Playing Experience: College of Charleston from 1998-2002
Coaching Experience: Elon University assistant coach from 2004-2006
Professional Status: IT Sales
Professional Link: LinkedIn
CollinPhillips
Collin Phillips
Academy Coach
From: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Education: B.S. in Business Administration in 2000
Coaching Education: USSF C License (2004), NSCAA Advanced National License
Playing Experience: College of Charleston 2-year starter and captain, First Team All-Conference in 1999, Adidas All Region First Team 1999, and the Second Team all Conference 2000
Coaching Experience: Head Coach (Boys) – Oceanside Collegiate Academy (September 2022 – present Head Coach (Boys). Pinewood Preparatory School (July 2019 – September 2022). Coach – SC United Mt. Pleasant (August 2010 – January 2020). Coach – Bridge/ Coastal United Soccer Club (May 2005 – July 2010). Assistant Coach – Pinewood Preparatory School (January 2008 – May 2010). Coach – Mt. Pleasant Soccer Club (July 2003 – May 2005)
Professional Status: Owner of Phillips Soccer
Professional Link: LinkedIn
Jeff Owens
Jeff Owens
Academy Coach
From: Charleston, SC
Education: Millsaps College
Coaching Education: U.S. Soccer "D" License
Playing Experience: Charleston Battery Development Academy, Millsaps College
Coaching Experience: Tormenta FC Junior Academy Technical Director, Oceanside Collegiate Academy Assistant Coach
Professional Status: FC Charleston
Professional Link: LinkedIn