FC WESTCHESTER ARMOUR COACHING STAFF
Stephen Carson
Director of Coaching
U16 and U18 US Soccer Development Academy Head Coach
UEFA B License
UEFA A License Part 1
USSF A License
Bsc. Honours Degree in Sport & Exercise Science
Carson played professionally for over 17 years in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Carson also represented Northern Ireland at every age level and made his international debut in June 2009 against Italy. Carson started his playing career at Glasgow Rangers where he played with Paul Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup and Rino Gattuso.
Carson went on to play over 400 games for Dundee United, Barnsley, Hartlepool, Coleraine and Glentoran, scoring 80 goals along the way.
Previously, Carson was the Youth Development Officer at Coleraine Football Club.
Contact Stephen at: scarsonefcw@gmail.com
Corlton Simmond
Technical Director US Soccer Development Academy Teams
In addition to his role as technical director, Simmond is the head coach of both the U15 & U18 FC Westchester Armour Academy teams. He served for five years previously as Director of the US Development Academy and Pre-Academy programs for Seacoast United in Hampton NH. He also was the Director of Minor League Programs at Seacoast United in Maine & New Hampshire for 4 years, in which he oversea five minor league teams (1PDL, 2 NPSL, & 2 WPSL). During this time the PDL received the national award as the most improved team. He also coached the PDL & NPSL for the Seacoast Phantoms for 3 years. Prior to that, Simmond coached soccer in New Hampshire for over 15 years at various levels: six years as Men’s Soccer Coach at Daniel Webster College; two years as a State ODP coach, 15 years as a Club soccer coach, and 10 years as Director of Coaching for Hampshire and Amherst Soccer Club. During his 15 years of club soccer (non-academy), Simmond participated in 10 State Cup finals and represented the state at 7 Region I championships. Many of Simmond’s former players have moved on to have successful careers at the collegiate, regional, professional, and national level.
Contact Corlton at: corlton.simmond@gmail.com
Jeffrey Fleischmann
Coach US Soccer Development Academy and Pre Academy Teams
USSF “A” License
NSCAA Premier Diploma
NSCAA Regional Goalkeeping Diploma
Fleischmann, who joined Everton FC Westchester in June of 2016, has a wealth of coaching experience in the area. He is currently the Assistant Coach of the Men”s Soccer team at Concordia College in Bronxville, NY which plays in the CACC in NCAA D-II. He is also a coach for the FDNY Men’s Soccer team. He recently retired as a Lieutenant of L-17 in the South Bronx, after serving over 20 years. Previously, He was an NPL Head Coach with Eastern FC, He also coached at both Briarcliff High School Varsity boys and St. Raymond’s H.S. Varsity boys. Prior to that, he coached on the girls side for the NY Rush Patriots and the Eastchester Youth Soccer Association.
Contact Jeff at: JeffFleischmann17@gmail.com
Mark Silvester
Youth Technical Director
USSF B License
NSCAA Premier and Advanced National Licenses
KNVB Dutch Youth National Certificate
Silvester is a long-time youth coach in the Westchester area with 25 years of experience. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, he was a high school MVP and All-County performer in 1981 in Westchester and then played at Concordia College in Bronxville where his team won a national title. Previously, he was the Director of Coaching for WSA and prior to that was the Director of Coaching for the Scarsdale Youth Soccer Club, where he won 2 State Cup titles. Mark was the original coach and trainer of the FC Westchester 1984 team that eventually went on to win the U16 USYSA National Championship.
Contact Mark at: mksilvester@optonline.net
Julian Grajales
Grajales, who served as captain at D1 Iona College, was one of the top midfielders in the MAAC and played for FC Westchester’s very successful 1989 team, which won multiple State Cup and tournament titles.
Contact Julian at: julian.d.grajales@gmail.com
Andres Avila
Avila is a USSF-licensed coach who played at Manhattanville College and played his club ball with FC Westchester.
Contact Andres at: avilaa1010@yahoo.com
Boris Bandov
USSF Pro B License
Bandov returned to Everton FC Westchester in 2015 after coaching at the club between 2005 and 2013. Bandov was a member of the US Men’s National Team between 1976 and 1983, earning 33 caps. Bandov played professionally in the United States from 1974 to 1986. Bandov spent ten seasons in the North American Soccer League, two in the Major Indoor Soccer League and one in the United Soccer League. Bandov played on such teams as the New York Cosmos, the San Jose Earthquakes and the Seattle Sounders.
Contact Boris at: avilakb674@optonline.net
George Gjokaj
Director of Soccer Operations
BA Sports Management
USSF Licensed
NSCAA Advanced National Diploma
George Gjokaj is continuing his long and successful history of playing and coaching with the club. Gjokaj played for FC Westchester under Al Pastore and Sean Kenny in the early years. Gjokaj represented the US as a youth international. Gjokaj played Division I college soccer at St John’s University where he captained the team to consecutive Big East championships. After graduating from St. John’s, Gjokaj went on trial with FC Kaiserslautern of Germany where he was signed to a professional contract. He returned to the US after 7 months recognizing that it would be near impossible to break into the first team. Gjokaj then began his coaching career in 1996. Gjokaj started coaching at FC Westchester in 1998. He helped local clubs like NYSC and FC Transylvania get up and running to promote the game. Additionally, in the 2014/2015 season, Gjokaj coached the Clarkstown Eagles to the NPSL title game where they lost to the NY Cosmos. Gjokaj also assisted the coaching staff of NYCFC in creating a training group for Spanish superstar David Villa when he arrived in New York. Gjokaj is also high highly respected talent scout, having placed numerous players into the pro ranks.
Contact George at: ggjokajefcw@gmail.com
Dan Cherico
USSF C License
NSCAA Advanced National Diploma
Cherico has been coaching in Westchester and Rockland Counties for the past 15 years. He was a two-time All State and All-American player at Byram Hills High School and went on to play at Yale University where his team won the Ivy league Championship and competed in the NCAA Division I Tournament.
Contact Dan at: dcherico19@optonline.net
Almar Pali
USSF C License
Coach Pali, in addition to being an Everton FCW coach, is the Head Varsity Coach at Keio Academy in Purchase, NY. Prior to joining EFCW Pali was part of the WYSL Select Program for three years and during that time won five major tournaments. Pali began his professional playing career at the age of 17 with the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Explosion in the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL). This achievement gave him the exposure and training experience of top level youth pro clubs. He returned to high school his senior year and helped win the school’s first ever Sparta Championship in Michigan. He is a former Division II player at Dominican College where he was an All-America performer. During his time at Dominican his team won three CACC Championships. He is actively playing with several adult teams in the Westchester County Area. His education includes an Associate of Science in Computer Information Systems as well as a Bachelor of Science in Spanish and Italian.
Blas Cardozo
USSF License
Blas was the star of Al Pastore’s famed 1973 team that put FC Westchester on the map. Blas played at NC State where he was 1992 ACC Rookie of The Year. Blas went on to play professionally and currently resides in White Plains. He instills a flavor and style to the game that only someone of his abilities could do.