Tom Paparounis
Founder and Director
Tom has over 15 years coaching experience working with goalkeepers ranging from Division 1 collegiate athletes to club and high school players. His coaching influences come from working with many greatly respected goalkeeping coaches from around the United States and Europe, namely former Ireland National Team goalkeeper, DC United goalkeeping coach, Alan Kelly Sr.Coaching Experience
- 12 years of collegiate coaching in NCAA D1, DIII, and the NAIA.
- USL League 2 and W League coach with Chicago City SC
- Olympic Development Program Experience
- Illinois
- North Texas
License and Certifications
- Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma-United Soccer Coaches
- National C License - USSF
Professional Playing Experience
- Carolina Dynamo of USL
- Regular Season Championship
Collegiate Experience
- Salisbury University
- 3 Conference Championships
- 2 NCAA Tournament appearances
- First-Team All-Conference
Julian Soto
Staff Coach
Julian joins Drive Goalkeeping with experience in coaching youth goalkeepers in Austin, Texas. He played collegiate soccer at Robert Morris University in Chicago where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Julian brings the energy and dedication to being a student of the game that Drive Goalkeeping looks for in our staff. Welcome to the team Julian.
Coaching Experience
Illinois Institute of Technology Men's Soccer 2022 - present
License and Certifications
- USSF D License
- NSCAA GK Level 1
- USSF Grassroots: 7v7, 9v9, 11v11
Stephen Tuang
Staff Coach
Stephen joins Drive Goalkeeping after having come through our training programs as a player. Stephen attends Roosevelt University and is on the men's soccer team. Stephen is a graduate of Lane Tech High School where he works with the goalkeepers of both the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams. A student of the game, Stephen excels in delivering the methodology and curriculum of Drive Goalkeeping while bringing his own style to our training sessions.
License and Certifications
- USC GK Level 1
- USSF Grassroots: 7v7, 9v9, 11v11
Elias Rojas
Staff Coach
A graduate of Aurora University where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Spanish and was a member of the men’s soccer team. I grew up playing for Ela Soccer Club and Palatine High School. Most recently played semi-pro for Chicago Athletic FC in the Midwest Premier League.
Coaching Experience
Roosevelt University Women's Soccer 2022 - present
Playing Experience:
Ela Soccer Club 2012-2017
Palatine High School Varsity Boys’ Soccer 2013-2017
Aurora University Men’s Soccer 2017-2019
Chicago Athletic FC 2020 – Present
License and Certifications:
USSF ‘F’ License
USSF 9v9, 11v11 grassroots certifications.
Jesus (Chuy) Velasco
Staff Coach
Chuy graduated from Roosevelt University, where he received his Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Clinical Psychology. Chuy was also a member of the Roosevelt Men's Soccer team and was part of the program's first conference regular season championship and conference tournament championship in 2015, where the program went undefeated in conference and finished the season ranked #17 in the nation. Chuy was also awarded Freshman of year honors, first-team all-conference, and 1st team all Region. Chuy hopes to continue to grow as a coach and help players develop and grow with his passion for the game.
Playing Experience:
Roosevelt University
Matt Sinacore
Staff Coach
Matt, a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, combines his experiences from collegiate soccer, on-going competitive soccer, and nearly 10 years of classroom teaching to bring an educational and supportive role to the development of young goalkeepers.
Coaching Experience
- 2022 - present Girls and Boys Soccer Program, Marist, HS.
- 2013-present Girls and Boys Soccer Program: St. Joseph HS
License and Certifications
- Goalkeeping Level 1- United Soccer Coaches
- F License- USSF
- Grassroots 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11- USSF