Seoul
I just finished my second-to-last year of high school in Seoul, South Korea as an American diplomat’s child. Coach Connor supported me through the middle years of my high school journey in Korea, when my team needed a striker and I wasn’t sure where to begin. He helped me grow both mentally and physically, pushing me to become the best version of myself. Before working with him, I had scored only around four goals in a season in the same position and league because I lacked confidence to take risks. A year later, after he encouraged me to “take the safety off,” I won MVP and broke a school record with 33 goals. His mental coaching played a major role, alongside his guidance on positioning, tactics, and how to become a strong, effective striker. I will miss him and his coaching greatly, and the impact he has had on me will last a lifetime.
Seoul
Over the past two years, Coach Connor has made a huge impact on my development both as a footballer and as a person. Through varsity football, Saturday training, and the U.S. base camp, he consistently went above and beyond to help me improve. I remember during my first varsity season when our team struggled with confidence and decision-making, he gave us clear, practical advice and ran extra drills focused on positioning, defensive shape, and transitions, which made a real difference to our performance. At the U.S. Army base camp, his constant encouragement helped me push through challenging sessions and grow stronger, sharper, and more confident. When many top players had graduated and the team felt uncertain, he brought structure, belief, and a positive environment that united us again. Beyond the pitch, he genuinely cared about us as individuals, always checking in, offering support, and balancing high standards with humour and positivity. Because of his guidance, I have grown technically, tactically, and mentally, and I am truly grateful for everything he has done for me.
