Nordic prides itself on having the best coaching staff in the state. With 3 current college coaches, 7 Varsity High School coaches, recent and current college players on staff, it's easy to back up that claim.

After growing up in Ohio and enjoying a playing career spanning the youth academy ranks, high school and college soccer into the semi-professional Lake Erie League's Cleveland Whitecaps (an early 'version' of USL2), Coach Don eventually found his way to Vermont where he has been a mainstay in the Vermont soccer scene over the last 20 years.  In no particular order, Don led the Harwood Union High School boys team for 14 years accumulating over 100 wins, multiple Final-4 and State Finals appearances as well as capturing a State Championship; was a Head Coach in the VT ODP program for multiple age groups in both genders over many years; served as the VT ODP GK coach for several years; and coached for a decade with the Capital Soccer Club - where he met his wonderful wife Steph, herself a former UVM player and coach.  While at Capital, Coach Don led teams of both genders across multiple age groups to State Cup wins and Regional Tournament titles coaching dozens and dozens of boys & girls into successful college careers, also running the Capital Soccer Fall Academy program started by Craig Stone. 

In addition to his role at Nordic, Don is the Director of Highland Soccer Systems operating out of the Mad River Valley providing coaching and playing opportunities for kids across Central VT as well as a head coach at Sporting Vermont, the Vermont Soccer Association's new elite age-group team encompassing and including all clubs across the State.  Since joining Nordic in the winter of the 2021-22 season, Don has helped bring multiple Nordic teams into the New England Club Soccer League (the top regional league in New England) with teams playing in, and winning, the very top flights of the league, playing against some of the very best MLS teams in the Northeast.   While highlights include match wins, tournament and league cups (including the President's Cup on the summer of 2026) as well as team admission into the inaugural National League (N1), Don has always been most proud of the relationships he has fostered with so many boys and girls that he has interacted with over the years.  "It's the relationships that keep me coming back.  I love that so many of the kids end up chasing their dreams in soccer, there is a special pride in that; I love so much more that they want to tell me about their day or their sister/brother, their birthday or their dog...  I coach kids, it just happens to be with the backdrop of a soccer field and this is a good place to be..."

An interesting thing about Coach Don is that in the 'non-soccer years' of his late 20's and early 30's he took up Ironman racing and raced across the globe sporting a personal best time of 10 hours, XX minutes while racing in Australia (also his very last race!).  That race included the threat of saltwater crocodiles and sharks during the 2.4 mile swim as well as some of the world's most deadly snakes and spiders during the bike and run - a sure recipe to "go fast!"

Coaching Qualifications

Coach Don holds the USSF D License - Distinguished National; United Soccer Coaches National Diploma and Advanced National Diploma; United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeper 1 and Goalkeeper 2 Diplomas; Coerver Coaching Systems National Youth Diploma 1 & 2; several Positive Coaching Alliance courses and a myriad of Special Topics Certificates and Diplomas.

Mahat brings a high level of tactical knowledge, a passion for player development, and deep community roots to Nordic Soccer Club. Grown locally, Mahat’s own playing journey spans elite regional club soccer with Queen City FC and collegiate play at Southern Vermont College (NCAA Division III). Having competed across both attacking and defensive lines—with a particular affinity for the central backline and defensive midfield—his versatile playing background shapes his comprehensive understanding of pitch geometry and team organization.

Currently serving as the Head Coach for both our U12 Boys Green VPL and U14 Boys Green VPL teams, Mahat centers his coaching methodology on building high-level soccer IQ. He excels at breaking down complex tactical systems into actionable concepts, empowering players to read the game dynamically, make sharp decisions under pressure, and master spatial awareness.

Beyond his club duties, Mahat serves as the Head Coach for the Essex High School Boys’ Varsity team (having previously served as an assistant coach for Burlington High School). In this dual role, Mahat is deeply committed to fostering a unified, community-driven soccer pipeline across Essex. He works directly with local middle school coaches and staff—starting at the 6th-grade level—to align training methodologies, elevate foundational standards, and seamlessly prepare young athletes for the physical and tactical demands of high school soccer.

Coaching Qualifications

USSF "C" License

Matt is our U15B head coach. His "real" job is an equity portfolio manager at Eagle Asset Management in Waterbury. Matt grew up in the Chicagoland area playing for a few local soccer clubs and then played for the University of Illinois Men's Club Soccer Team, which won one NCAA Club championship between 1987 and 1991. Matt has been coaching soccer for over 16 years - with this being his 11th year of coaching at Nordic. Matt moved to Vermont in 2005 and currently resides in Williston with his wife Karen and their 2 boys, Alexander and Zachary, who both played for Nordic and are currently pursuing college degrees. Fun fact, outside of coaching/watching soccer, Matt loves to travel around the world, hike, ski, cook, ref soccer and coach/play volleyball.

Coaching Qualifications

USSF "D" License

Miguel brings a high-level competitive background, exceptional tactical awareness, and a deep, lifelong passion for the game to our staff. Born and raised in Mexico City, Miguel’s playing career developed rapidly within top-tier competition. At just fifteen years old, he joined Atlanta FC's youth system and earned a spot on their 2nd professional division squad by seventeen—a testament to his early technical ability, composure on the ball, and elite vision. His standout performance on the pitch earned him a full athletic scholarship to the Universidad del Valle de México, where he anchored the collegiate side throughout his university career.

Following college, Miguel continued competing at a high level in Mexico before relocating to Vermont ten years ago. Since arriving in New England, he has remained an active competitor within the Vermont Amateur Soccer League (VASL) and regional adult leagues, keeping his connection to the game as strong as ever.

As a coach, Miguel channels that same intensity and love for the game into mentoring young athletes. His coaching philosophy centers on technical precision, high-energy play, and building intelligent, adaptable footballers. Passionate about player growth both on and off the pitch, Miguel brings authentic character to his training sessions—including a seamless blend of English and his native Spanish. While a tactical callout occasionally comes out in Spanish, his energy and clear passion for the game translate universally, keeping players focused, engaged, and always learning. We are thrilled to have Miguel guiding our U13 Boys Green team this season.

Marcel Choquette is the longest-tenured coach at Nordic Soccer Club, having been part of the organization since 1993. He returns for his fourth year with the U17B.

A former professional player with the Vermont Wanderers, Marcel brings extensive coaching experience at both the collegiate and high school levels. He holds National, Advanced National, and Premier Coaching Diplomas from United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA), as well as a Master’s degree in the Administration of Physical Education and Athletics.

Lou is the assistant coach for the U18B team, and our boy's goal keeper coach. His playing career included playing in Seconda Catagoria in Italy 1993; Won NJ Men's State Cup in 1996; NJ Budweiser Cup 1998; New Jersey Champions League; VASL Champion 2015 & 2016, runner up 2017 and hard to believe, is that Lou is still playing!!

Lou's was the assistant coach at Norfolk Academy in Norfolk, VA (1989 - 1992); St. Peter's College (Women's assistant coach and goalkeeper coach) Jersey City, NJ (1997 - 1999); Seton Hall University (Women's goalkeeper coach - on coaching staff with former England Capt. Kelly Smith) (2000-2003); Rutgers University Newark (Men's assistant & goalkeeper coach) (2004); Coached for United Soccer Academy, PDA, NJ ODP & Match Fit Academy (1999 - 2003); UVM (Men's Goalkeeper coach 2005 - 2010 - Reached NCAA 2nd round in 2007); St. Michael's (Men's goalkeeper coach 2012).

Fun fact about Lou - die hard Romanista, enjoys cycling, has been mistaken for Luis Figo (even in Portugal)...but not on the soccer pitch!

Liam’s soccer journey brings a powerful mix of top-tier youth competition, collegiate experience, and local pride back to Nordic Soccer Club. Raised in Essex, Vermont, Liam played for Nordic until age 14. During his youth career at Nordic, he represented the club on the U14 national team before being recruited to play MLS NEXT at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, where he spent three years competing at an elite developmental level.

Currently, Liam is continuing his playing career locally as a student-athlete at Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont, where he plays a key role on the men's soccer team.

Now serving as an Assistant Coach with Nordic, Liam leverages his experience as an elite youth product and collegiate player to guide and inspire the next generation of Nordic athletes, helping them develop their skills and navigate their own soccer pathways.

Eli’s connection to Nordic Soccer Club runs deep. Having spent over a decade on the pitch wearing the Nordic uniform as a youth player, he experienced firsthand the player-first pathway, technical discipline, and strong club culture that define the organization. Now in his sixth year on the Nordic coaching staff, Eli brings that home-grown perspective back to the pitch, dedicated to instilling the same strong fundamentals, sportsmanship, and passion for the game that shaped his own soccer journey. We at Nordic Soccer are honored to have him as part of the staff to help shape the next generation of soccer players in our area.

Eli plays a central role in cultivating our youngest talent, serving as the Head Coach for the U9 and U10 Boys teams while leading the direction of our U8 Academy. His focus at these foundational age groups centers on developing technical fluidity, building decision-making confidence under pressure, and fostering a genuine love for the game.

Eli’s impact on the local soccer landscape extends beyond Nordic. As an Assistant Coach for the Essex High School boys' soccer program, he helps bridge the gap between youth club development and competitive high school play, mentoring athletes through key transitions in their athletic careers.

Off the pitch, Eli is a sophomore at the University of Vermont pursuing a degree in Statistics. His academic background brings a unique, modern edge to his coaching—applying structured, analytical thinking to tactical organization, training design, and individual player development.

Daniel brings a high-energy, resilient coaching leadership style and a deep commitment to Vermont youth soccer to Nordic Soccer Club. Serving as an Assistant Coach with the U14 Boys Green VPL team, Daniel plays an active role in elevating technical development, building tactical discipline, and instilling a strong team-first mentality across the squad.

Beyond his work at Nordic, Daniel is a prominent figure on the local high school soccer scene, serving as the Boys' Varsity Head Coach at Winooski High School. His journey at Winooski began as a JV coach in 2022 before transitioning to a Varsity assistant and stepping up into the Head Coach role in 2024. Known for his tactical adaptability and refusal to back down from challenges, Daniel has demonstrated remarkable leadership in guiding his high school athletes through tough competitive competition, player development hurdles, and high-stakes postseason runs.

Daniel’s ability to inspire resilience and foster growth both on and off the pitch makes him an invaluable asset to the Nordic Soccer family as he continues to help shape top-tier local talent across Vermont.