MIKE BARSHAI

originally from

Moscow

playing background

Barshai began playing soccer at the age of seven with the youth program of famed Russian side Spartak Moscow. He came to the United States at the age of 16 where he attended Niles North High School in north suburban Skokie. Barshai continued to commute between both countries where he furthered his playing experience with teams in the Russian second and third divisions, and locally with the Chicago Soccers U21 team.

Coaching history

He has more than eleven years of coaching experience to his credit with youth teams in Evanston, Skokie, Morton Grove and Concordia.  Barshai holds a "B" license from the United States Soccer Federation.

COAChing philosophy

"I like to teach players how to think on the field, to be able to read the situation and react to it smartly. When you see a player that can improvise within the system that you are teaching, you have an excellent gauge of their progress."