Webster Soccer Association (WSA) has hired Yuri Lavrynenko to be the new Director of Coaching (DOC). Lavrynenko, who has been involved in soccer his entire life, trained in Europe with Dynamo Kyiv Youth Academy, has played collegiate and professional soccer in the United States and holds a National “B” USSF coaching soccer license.

According to WSA President Pat Cusato, “We are incredibly fortunate to hire Yuri Lavrynenko who came out on top during the DOC selection process.” Lavrynenko was among six strongly qualified candidates who applied for the DOC position.

Effective immediately, Yuri Lavrynenko has the key responsibilities of selecting over 40 WSA coaches, running WSA tryouts for Travel soccer, and training WSA coaches through a series of monthly coaches sessions. These clinics cover tactics, techniques, field play, and conditioning. The goal of the coaches sessions is to continuously improve the skills and knowledge of the WSA coaching staff and to support soccer excellence for all WSA Micro Soccer, Player Development, and Travel players (ages 5-19).

In addition, Lavrynenko plans to implement technical and player development plans and age-specific training guides which will be used by WSA coaches for each age level. He also is planning Yuri Lavrynenko Soccer Academies which will be held at the WSA indoor facility located at 865 Publishers Pkwy.

In 2004 Lavrynenko earned an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY) and in 1999 he earned a Bachelors of Arts from Indiana University (Bloomington, IN).

Lavrynenko played soccer at Indiana University from 1996 to 1999 where he was awarded many distinctions including Academic All Big Ten (1996-1999), All-American (1999), Final Four MVP (1999), Soccer America Collegiate MVP (1999), All Region (1999), All Big Ten (1996-1999), and numerous all-time scoring records. The Indiana University men’s soccer team was the NCAA Champions in 1998 and 1999.

Professionally, Lavrynenko was a 2004 A-League Champion team member with the Montreal Impact. He played for the Rochester Rhinos (A-League) from 2002 to 2004, Milwaukee Rampage (A-League) in 2001, and the Major League Soccer Chicago Fire team in 2000.

Lavrynenko is the owner and operator of Yuri Lavrynenko Soccer which specializes in individual training, team sessions, camps, and clinics. Many WSA players have attended Yuri Lavrynenko Soccer camps held at WSA since 2004.

Cusato stated, “One reason WSA continues to be an excellent club is because we have very qualified Directors of Coaching (including Malcolm Kersey guiding the Micro Soccer and Player Development programs), Goal Keeper Coach (Erin Zoltoski), certified coaches, great indoor facilities, and top-notch outdoor fields. Yuri Lavrynenko’s experience, soccer talent, and passion for the game will benefit our club immensely.”

Yuri Lavrynenko resides in Rochester and can be reached at 585-750-7554 or yuri@yurilsoccer.com.