Anton

Anton Trifonovs

Director Force Goalkeeper Academy

Director of Goalkeeper Coaching CSA Impact

Cleveland Soccer Academy Impact

Years Coaching Goalkeepers:  6 years

What is your background?

23 Years of Soccer Experience:

Date of Birth: August 19, 1984 Belgorod, Russia.

Summer of 1990:

First Official Training as a U7 Goakeeper for a FC “Pardaugava Riga ” .

Winner of Latvian National Title:

In 1999 – “JFC Riga U15”

In 2000 – “JFC Riga-Gutta U16”

In 2001 – “JFC Skonto U17”

In 2000 with “JFC Riga-Gutta” made Top 5 in Eastern European zone over 1000 teams were competing during the Nike U16 World Cup. It was and still is the best result for a Latvian Club Team in a history of Latvian Soccer.

Awarded as a Best Goalkeeper in Europe Baltic Region U16 Nike World Cup.

Awarded as a Team MVP U16 Nike World Cup/ Eastern European Play-offs.

Awarded as a Best Goalkeeper in Latvia:

In 1999/2000/2001/2003.

Latvian National Team Player:

2000/2001 UEFA EURO under 17.

Latvian National Team Captain:

2002 UEFA EURO under 19. Finished Top 16 – it was and still is the best result for a Latvian National Team in a history of Latvian Soccer.

Latvian National Team Player:

2003 FIFA WORLD CUP under 20.

Latvian National Team Player:

2004 Olympic Games Qualification Round.

Anton turned to A Pro Soccer Player when he was only 17 years old.

Professional Teams Played:

FC Skonto (Latvia)  in 2001/2002

FK Ventspils (Latvia) in 2003/04

FC TVMK (Estonia) in 2005/06/07

FK Riga (Latvia) in 2008/09

Achievements in a Professional Soccer: 


2002/03     1st Place Latvian 1st League (Similar to USL in the USA).

2004          3st Place Latvian Premier League (Similar to MLS in the USA).

2004          Winner of UEFA Latvian National Cup.

2005          1st Place Estonian Premier League (Similar to MLS in the USA).

2006          Winner of UEFA Estonian Super Cup.

2006          Winner of Estonian National Super Cup.

2007           3rd Place Estonian Premier League (Similar to MLS in the USA).

2008           Runner-up UEFA Latvian National Cup.

Education:

2002           Finished High School with 3.8 GPA.

2000/03      Latvian Institute of Communication – major Public Speaking.

2010           Associate of General Management

2011           Associate of HR Management

2012           Advanced National Goalkeeping License

2013           Bachelor of Science – major Entrepreneurship/Business Administration 3.88 GPA.

2014           Currently student at Lake Erie College on Parker MBA program.

Honors:

Magna Cum Laude, Phi Theta Kappa 2009.

College Male Scholar Athlete of the Year 2009.

College Male Scholar Athlete of the Year 2010.

NJCAA Distinguished Academic Athlete All –American 2011.

Summa Cum Laude, Lake Erie College 2013.

What got you into coaching?

Wiliness to share my knowledge, skills, and expertise.

What is your coaching philosophy?

My goal is to help each player achieve their personal goals and reach their maximum potential through a highly personalized approach, whether a player’s goal is to play professional soccer, get a college scholarship, play in a soccer club or in a high school program.

Who has been a mentor to your through your coaching career? 

Coach Kia Zolgharnain

Is there a coach who impacted you to get into coaching?

Coach Kia Zolgharnain

Do you feel that the role and importance of a goalkeeper coach has been fully realized in the coaching community?

In the European community, yes.  In the US community is getting better.

Looking back, how have you seen your coaching develop from when you first started to now?

I don’t believe in self-evaluation. However, I do my performance analysis daily.

How do you design your training sessions?

Sorry cannot share that information.

How do you motivate your keepers behind your first string to ensure competition for the position?

Weekly Group Goalkeeping Lectures/Discussions and Individual Meetings.

What is your ultimate coaching goal?

My goal is to help each player achieve their personal goals and reach their maximum potential through a highly personalized approach, whether a player’s goal is to play professional soccer, get a college scholarship, play in a soccer club or in a high school program.

Any advice for young goalkeeper coaches just entering their careers?

Do not follow any particular style when it comes to Developing Goalkeeping Techniques. Be creative, think outside the box, and you will find your way of development.

If you weren’t a goalkeeper coach, what do you think you would be?

A man who would be dreaming daily about starting one day a goalkeeper coach career.