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MLS announces class of 2026 for the Elite Formation Coaching License - pathway Greg Vanney and Wilfried Nancy used to emerge onto league's biggest stage

MLS announced the incoming 2026 class for the Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL) Friday morning. The program, which saw the likes of MLS Cup-winning managers Greg Vanney and Wilfried Nancy used to develop, is one of the world's most elite coaching pathways.THE EFCL program runs seven weeks over an 18-month period from February 2025 to August 2026, and includes all of course work, on-pitch projects, film room studies, immersion, classes, and more.The program will see the classes begin at the famed INF Clairefontaine outside of Paris, with first sessions beginning on Feb. 4. The EFCL program, which is in partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF), has directly impacted the MLS Player Pathway through the development leagues coaches and players since 2013.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The class of 2026, for the first time, will feature five different MLS NEXT Elite Academy coaches, alongside 19 MLS representatives.San Jose Earthquakes U16 head coach Erin Ridley became the first woman from MLS to complete the program in August, 2024, and this year, three more women look to follow her lead as part of the program. Cassidy Chriest (Houston Dynamo), Megan McCormick (St. Louis CITY SC), and Tiffany Roberts (Royals Arizona) will all join the program.The first week will see coaches observe and learn from some of Europe's top clubs, Arsenal (England), FC Barcelona (Spain), Deportivo Alavés (Spain), Le Havre AC (France), CA Osasuna (Spain), Paris FC (France), Paris Saint-Germain (France), Toulouse FC (France), and Villarreal CF (Spain).The entire list of candidates is listed below<table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3">2025-26 Elite Formation Coaching License Candidates</td></tr><tr><td>Club</td><td>Name</td><td>Role</td></tr><tr><td>Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen (MLS NEXT)</td><td>James Barnes</td><td>Technical Director/U19 MLS NEXT Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Dynamo FC</td><td>Cassidy Chriest</td><td>U14 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>New England Revolution</td><td>Lucas Dantas</td><td>U15 Assistant Coach/Preformation</td></tr><tr><td>New York City FC</td><td>Yannick Diese</td><td>U16 Head coach</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle Sounders FC</td><td>Matt Dorman</td><td>U16 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Bethesda Soccer Club (MLS NEXT)</td><td>Pierre Dyer</td><td>U15 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Columbus Crew</td><td>Shahad Farahani</td><td>U16 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Albion SC San Diego (MLS NEXT)</td><td>Jorge Garcia</td><td>Academy Director</td></tr><tr><td>FC Dallas</td><td>Phil Gomez</td><td>North Texas SC Assistant Coach/U13 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>CF Montréal</td><td>Sylvain Hascoet</td><td>U15 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Columbus Crew</td><td>Eddie Hertsenberg</td><td>U15 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando City SC</td><td>Bitielo Jean Jacques</td><td>Formation Assistant Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Colorado Rapids</td><td>Keyon Khalilian</td><td>U15 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>St. Louis CITY SC</td><td>Megan McCormick</td><td>U16 Head Coach and Pathway Program Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Nashville SC</td><td>Rumbani Munthali</td><td>Head of Methodology</td></tr><tr><td>Inter Miami CF</td><td>Christopher Nurse</td><td>U17 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Sporting Kansas City</td><td>Angel Rivillo</td><td>U16 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Royals Arizona (ECNL Girls)</td><td>Tiffany Roberts</td><td>Royals Arizona Academy Director/Girls ECNL Director</td></tr><tr><td>FC Cincinnati</td><td>Andy Seidel</td><td>U14 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Futbol Academy Rush (MLS NEXT)</td><td>Renatto Soriano</td><td>Academy Director/U14 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Major League Soccer League Office</td><td>Paul Templeton</td><td>Manager, Coaching Education &amp; Player Development</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Fire FC</td><td>William Thornton</td><td>U18 Assistant Coach</td></tr><tr><td>New England Revolution</td><td>Abel Wasswa</td><td>U14 Head Coach</td></tr><tr><td>Orlando City SC</td><td>Edward Wilding</td><td>Formation Phase Lead/U16 Head Coach</td></tr></tbody></table>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Austin FC manager Nico Estevez is also a graduate from the program, as well as San Diego FC assistant coach Kelvin Jones.

DID YOU KNOW?

The 2025 regular season kicks off on Feb. 22 when Inter Miami clash with New York City FC in a battle of two Eastern Conference heavyweights. Until then, teams will continue their preseason training in preparation for the campaign.

WHAT NEXT FOR MLS?

MLS announces class of 2026 for the Elite Formation Coaching License - pathway Greg Vanney and Wilfried Nancy used to emerge onto league's biggest stage | Goal.com

The influential coaching program will run a total of seven weeks over an 18 month period from February 2025 to August, 2026

MLS announces class of 2026 for the Elite Formation Coaching License - pathway Greg Vanney and Wilfried Nancy used to emerge onto league&apos;s biggest stage