Josh May

Director of Soccer

Background:

Coach May grew up playing soccer in his home town of San Diego, CA. He played for both the Crusaders Soccer Club as well as the Nomads Soccer Club, where accolades included leading multiple teams to league championships as well as becoming US Club Soccer Regional Champions.

Coach May played his high school ball for Christian HS in San Diego, where he perennially earned the captains arm band and was selected yearly for first team all-league and all-sectional honors. At the collegiate level, he was a 4 year Varsity squad member at Point Loma Nazarene University, even earning the NAIA Scholar Athlete Award as a Senior.
Athletics have always been important to Coach May and his family. His wife Lindsay was a collegiate player herself, representing West Chester University on the basketball court as a point guard. Their 3-year-old son Asher is a mover and a shaker, and loves to be at the field to test his skill against the older players! Coach May moved to Maryland to accept a position working for Johns Hopkins, and has the utmost gratitude that this move has led him to be part of such a wonderful community and soccer program. 

Coaching Experience and Certifications:

Coach May served 5 years coaching at the HS level in San Diego both at his almamater as well as Valhalla HS, where he successfully led the Junior Varsity squad to a league championship as head coach, and the Varsity squad to league champions and all-sectional runners-up as the Assistant Coach.

Coach May holds USYS professional E and D Licensure. He believes strongly in coaching through positive reinforcement to help players develop the fundamental knowledge of the game as well as the skill and confidence to apply it on the field. 

As Director of Coaching and head coach of the U10-U12 Girls age groups at DFC, Coach May is honored to be part of a program that has exceptional facilities and a professional coaching staff, all of whom care deeply about the players. He is excited about the exceptional growth of the program to date, as well as to further advance the program to the next level.

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  Charlie Raphael

  DFC Technical Director 

  Background:

Coach Raphael brings to Davidsonville FC what is easily the most accomplished player resume in the region.

Charlie was a High School All-American player at Bishop Ireton High School, where he won back-to-back state championships. He also captained the Virginia State team before heading off to college to play at NCAA Division 1 level. 

Coach Raphael enjoyed a very successful tenure at The University of Southern Florida, where upon the completion of his Sophomore season, he was selected to his first professional roster and began his playing career for the Washington Stars/Diplomats, where he stayed from 1986 - 1992. In 1988, Charlie even boasted a roster spot on the United States Men's National Team. 

From 1992 - 1995, Charlie continued to play at the highest level, starring for several NPSL professional indoor teams before deciding to re-focus his efforts giving back to the game he loves and giving other young players the tools to pursue their dreams. 

When Coach Raphael is not at the field, he enjoys spending time with his wife Carrie and watching his son play and his daughter sing. Charlie's son recently won a Division 1 Men's Soccer National Championship while playing for Marshall University.

Coaching Experience and Certifications: 

Over the past 30 years, Coach Raphael has been a prominent fixture at several highly esteemed clubs, and has held 3 different Director of Coaching/Technical Director positions. He has led his teams to numerous championships and has seen many former players off to play at the next level, collegiately and beyond. Highly sought-after by players and parents alike, he often coaches up to 3 club teams per year, and trains players individually on a year-round basis. 

Coach Raphael has amassed 27 seasons as a High School Varsity Head Coach at several schools in Virginia and Maryland. Winning numerous league and regional championships as well as 3 trips to the State final four and 2 championship games. Coach Raphael most recently spent 2 years as a head coach at The College of Southern Maryland.

Coach Raphael prides himself on bringing players an unparalleled level of playing and coaching experience, coupled with the utmost passion, energy, and dedication to helping them reach their goals in the game and beyond. 

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 Leo Mendez

  Background: 

Coach Leo Mendez grew up playing soccer in Southern California. He moved to New Jersey the summer before starting high school and was a multi-sport athlete who was selected as captain of his teams as a senior. Coach Mendez graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2001 and was commissioned a Surface Warfare Officer, deploying twice to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom during his active duty career. After seven years of service, he was honorably discharged from the Navy and has worked as a federal civilian for the Defense Department ever since. He has lived in Maryland for over 20 years and he and his wife, Jessica, have two children, William (17) and Anna (14). Coach Mendez is fluent in Spanish and when he isn't coaching soccer, he is watching his favorite teams on TV or in-person.

 

Coaching Experience and Certifications

Coach Mendez has coached youth sports for over 12 years. He coached his son in soccer and baseball from 2011-2018 and has coached his daughter in soccer since 2014. He has coached girls soccer exclusively since 2017 and led his teams to AAYSA County titles in multiple divisions. In 2021, he made the transition to coaching travel soccer and in only their second season, his Girls U13 (2009) team finished undefeated champions in the Elite Development Program (EDP) South Atlantic Division. Coach Mendez joined DFC in the fall of 2022 because he believed strongly in the vision of the club to grow travel soccer in our area with an emphasis on positive reinforcement and helping players develop the fundamental knowledge of the game and the confidence to apply it on the field. He emphasizes hard work, teamwork and fosters a family atmosphere. The best soccer teams play the game TOGETHER, and this is at the core of his coaching philosophy. He holds USYS professional license.

As one of the 2009 G and 2010 G coaches at DFC, Coach Mendez is thrilled to be part of a program that puts players first. He is excited to bring to DFC fields his love for soccer and his passion for teaching our youth how to play the game the right way.

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Paul Alvara

Background and Coaching Experience:

Coach Alvara has a deep love for the game of soccer, and enjoys giving back to the game wherever and whenever possible. After a successful youth career growing up in Georgia, Coach Alvara went on to play four years for the Varsity squad at Thomas University. He also had tenures for the Men’s club teams at Georgia Southern and Valdosta State University. 

Coach Alvara has since that time spent many years on the pitch both as a coach and as a referee. He has coached several years at the youth level for Thomas Area Soccer Association in Georgia, as well as at the collegiate level, serving as head coach for the Women’s club teams at Georgia Southern and Loyola University of MD. Coach Alvara has also officiated the game at very high level including the NCAA and UPSL, further showcasing his deep knowledge and love for the game.