FOREVERGREEN
MONMOUTH COACHES
PHIL SWENDA
ACADEMY DIRECTOR - BOYS
Swenda joined Cedar Stars Academy - Monmouth for the start of the 2018-2019 season as a member of the senior coaching staff overseeing the U12 and U16/17 Development Academy teams. In 2019-2020, Swenda took on the role of overseeing all on field aspects of the club’s DA teams as well as managing the U13 and U18/19 DA teams.
Swenda brings more than 17 years of playing and coaching experience to the program, as well as a USSF A License and NSCAA Advance National Diploma. On the field, Swenda was a four-year starter for Seton Hall University and went on to be drafted 26th overall by the Chicago Fire in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. Swenda took his trade overseas, playing professionally in Poland and England, gaining valuable experience, bringing that knowledge into his coaching career.
Before joining Cedar Stars Academy, between 2009-2018, Swenda worked full time as a Head Coach for the New York Red Bulls Academy. During his time at Red Bull, he was apart of a staff that helped development over 30 players that went on to sign professional contracts domestic and abroad, more than 20 players selected for USMNT teams and held the standard for the highest MLS homegrown minutes.
ANDREW GIALLOMBARDO
ACADEMY DIRECTOR - GIRLS
Giallombardo joined Cedar Stars Academy –Monmouth for the 2018-2019 season as a member of the senior coaching staff. He was quickly promoted to the girls Associate Director of Coaching and has went from strength to strength becoming the Girls Academy Director. A decorated player in his time Giallombardoplayed professionally at Southampton FC in England while also enjoying stints in Belgium and Spain. Was also a member of the United States Men’s National Teams from u15 –u20 levels. Giallombardowas previously the Girls Technical Director at FC Copa Academy before moving to Cedar Stars Academy. A USSF licensed coach currently taking his B License while holding FA Youth Module level 3 from his time in England.
NIKO STEFANIDES
C0-PROGRAM DIRECTOR / ZONE 1 MANAGER GIRLS
Niko recently joined Cedar Stars Academy-Monmouth in March of 2020. He will oversee the growth and development of the Zone 1 Girls Program along with playing a key role in the oversight and direction of Cedar Stars Monmouth club programming.A former player and graduate of Elizabethtown College, Niko spent 7 years at Lehigh Valley United building nationally ranked boys and girls team's along with club oversight as a boys and girls director.Many of his former players currently reside at MLS academies and are Division 1 scholar athletes. Niko is USSF licensed,holds the United Soccer Coaches Premier License, along with his Director's of Coaching License
DEREK OGDEN
ZONE 2 MANAGER BOYS
Derek has been a member of Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth since the start of the 2017-2018 season. Derek’s combined playing and coaching experience brings more than 30 years of international and domestic views on the game to the Cedar Stars Academy program.
From 2002-2013, Derek oversaw the academy development of the U12-U18 age groups at Oldham Athletic Football Club, which included both player and junior coach development. Many of his players went on to sign professional contracts and are currently playing within the UK.
From 2013-2017, Ogden experienced success as the Assistant Director of Coaching and Professional Development Manager of TSF Soccer Academy. Similar to his platform with Oldham Athletic, Ogden oversaw the coaching education for junior coaches and the development of all coaches within the academy.
Derek currently holds a UEFA B License, National Coaching Award and he is currently studying to complete the UEFA A License and USSF B license 2020/21.
AGOSTINHO FRIETAS
HEAD SCOUT
Agostinho ‘Augi’ Frietas, a graduate of Rutgers University, brings extensive local knowledge to Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth. Augi has been working at all levels of the game, both youth and men’s, in New Jersey for the past 25 years. Most recently was apart of the 2019 Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year, which led NJIT men’s soccer team to both the 2019 ASUN Regular Season Championship and ASUN Conference Tournament Championship. Augi was also instrumental in developing the first ever MLS drafted player in NJIT history, Mamadou Guirassy. He has guided 7 All-Americans, developed 5 Conference Players of the Year and has produced 75 All-Conference, All-Region, All-American and National Award winners.
Augi has successfully coached teams as well to 14 Conference, State, Regional and National Championships. Augi holds a USSF B License.
DRAGO NOVKOVIC
SPORTS MEDICINE AND PERFORMANCE
Drago Novkovic joins Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth for the 2020/21 season as the Sports Medicine and Performance Advisor.
Drago possesses over 25 years of administrative and clinical experience working in the sports health sector in several prominent medical institutions in the New York City region, which include Hospital for Special Surgery, New York University, New York Presbyterian and SUNY Downstate Medical Center. In additional to his institutional background, Drago has also worked with several amateur and collegiate and national soccer organizations including the US Men’s National Team.
At CSA Monmouth Drago will be working with the CSA Monmouth’s coaching staff in developing and optimizing the sports injury treatment and surveillance system, and co-developing the player performance curriculum and overseeing its execution.
Drago completed his education in sports medicine/athletic training at University of Connecticut, applied physiology and nutrition at Columbia University and healthcare analytics and intelligence education at Rutgers Business School.
GREG WEIBOLDT
GIRLS COLLEGE LIAISON / ACADEMY COACH
Coach Wieboldt will enter his fifth season with Cedar Stars Academy -Monmouth overseeing Girls Academy teams. With more than 20 years of coaching at the DA and other top youth-level competition, the USSF A Licensed coach brings great experience, which includes multiple National Championships, and leadership, to assist with the technical development of the program’s youth athletes.
LEE POLLARD
ZONE 2 MANAGER / ACADEMY COACH
Coach Pollard joined CSA Monmouth in 2019 with over 20 year experience coaching at the youth, high school, collegiate and professional levels. Coach Pollard holds the USSF A License, USC Premier Diploma, and the USYS National youth License.
