License(s):

USSF A License 

Coaching Background/Experience:

26 years of coaching youth ranks at various levels

Playing Background/Experience:

FK Drina Zvornik (Bosnia & Hercegovina), SG Wattenscheid 09 (Germany), DJK TUS Hordel (Germany)

Mustafic’s playing career began in his native country Bosnia & Hercegovina, where he was regarded as one of country’s top talents and was selected for the regional team of B&H. Mustafic continued his playing career in Germany playing for the professional academy at SG Wattenscheid 09, settling with his family in USA in 1999.  

Mustafic who started his coaching career in 2000 with Atlanta Fire has extensive experience at every level of soccer development.  At Atlanta Fire Mustafic served in the role of Director of Coaching transitioning to the Executive Director. He received his Bachelor Degree in Science from St. Marien School of Nursing in Germany. Coach Mirza is married to Sanela and has a son Omar and daughter Adela.

License(s):

USSF A License, NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma.

Coaching background/experience:

25 years of coaching college and youth ranks at various levels.

Playing background/experience:

Former professional player who played for several professional sides including Tampa Bay Rowdies, Charleston Battery, Raleigh Flyers, etc. Represented his native country, Trinidad and Tobago on international level.

Pollonais a Hall of Fame inductee at Erskine College has recently served as USDA Academy Director as well as Director of Player Development for Texans SC Houston. Prior engagements include USDA Academy Director at Concorde Fire Soccer Club, Director of Coaching at Clearwater Chargers Soccer Club, as well as Head Coach for the Men’s and Women’s programs at Erskine College.  He received his BA in Psychology from Erskine College.  Garth is married to Kim and has one daughter Alexis.

License(s):

USSF B License, NSCAA Premier Diploma, National Youth License, FA Player Psychology Level I and II, Coerver Youth Diploma

Coaching background/experience:

18 years of experience, JV and Varsity High School, Academy, ECNL and ODP coaching

Playing background/experience:

Hayes is a local soccer product, playing on teams at West Gwinnett Soccer Club (prior to it becoming AFU) all his life and a four year starter at Dacula High School.

Hayes began his coaching career in 2001 at Duluth High School and later club at the Forsyth Fusion. In 2008 he moved to Norcross Soccer Academy and took a position as the Varsity Women's Head Coach at Duluth, while also coaching ODP in the 96 and then 98 age groups. Coach Hayes moved to Atlanta Fire United as the Assistant Academy Director and then to Mill Creek High School as the Varsity Women's soccer coach in 2013 where he now coaches in both the girls academy and ECNL program. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2001 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and achieved a Master's Degree from Piedmont College in 2006.

Vince and his wife, Kristi, are the proud parents of their daughters Maryn who currently plays in the AFU Academy and Barrett who plays in the AFU recreational program.

License(s):

USSF National B License 

Coaching background/experience: 

9 years at various youth levels. 

Playing background/experience:

Played for West Virginia University (Big East Champions 2006, NCAA Sweet Sixteen 2006, 2007) as well as Georgia Southern University.

George, a former AFU player, was named Gwinnett County Coach of the Year in 2016 and is currently the Mill Creek High School Varsity Boys Coach.  Undoubtedly one of the best young coaches in the region, George has had great success coaching in the Select, Super Y, and ECNL programs at AFU.  He has received his BS in Education from the University of Georgia and is married to Jennifer.

License(s):

USSF A License, National Youth License

Coaching background/experience:

21 years of coaching at both the Academy and Select age groups. Coached varsity high school teams for 15 years.

Playing background/experience:

Played 4 years at Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, played 4 years on the varsity team at Dunwoody High School, and played ODP as a youth player in GA.Tavani started his coaching career in 1998 with Atlanta Fire United. For 15 years, he coached both Select and Academy Boys and Girls' teams, and was awarded the GYSA Coach of the Year during that time. For the last 6 years, he has been the Academy Director and Jr. Academy Director of our youth programs at Atlanta Fire United.

For 15 years, Tavani was the men's varsity head coach at both Duluth H.S. and Redan H.S. During that time, he coached many players who progressed to the collegiate level. Also, two of his high school teams at Duluth H.S. reached the final four, and one team finished as a state finalist in 2003.

For 21 years, Tavani has been a high school social studies' educator teaching subjects ranging from Advanced Placement Government & Politics to Economics. He was awarded as Teacher of the Year at Duluth H.S. as well.

Tavani was born in New Jersey, and has lived in the Atlanta area since 1979. He has been married to Tracy for 16 years, and has a daughter named Emily and a son named Brian.

License(s):

USSF B License

Coaching background/experience:

20 years of coaching youth teams at all levels.

Playing background/experience:

Former professional player who played for several professional sides including Carolina Dynamo, Seattle Sounders, Charleston Battery, Atlanta Silverbacks of USL and A-League as well as professional indoor teams.

Gailey, a Hall of Fame inductee in the North Carolina Soccer Hall of fame has served as North Director at Concorde Fire and Milton Director at NASA Tophat.  He received his BA in Business and Community Service from UNC Greensboro.  Mike is married to Lindsi and they have 7 children. 

Sal Martelli brings a wealth of experience both as a former Division I player at the University of Louisville and as a long-time coach within Atlanta Fire United, where he has spent over 20 years developing players across all levels. He has also coached at the Division I level with Winthrop University, giving him valuable insight into the college game.

Sal’s deep connection to our club, combined with his experience and approachable, family-oriented perspective, will provide tremendous support to our players as they pursue opportunities at the next level.