Coaching Staff

Staff Coaches & Trainers

Tony Benitez, Director of Training GoalKeepers 

License:  USSF National D

Experience: Tony joins the TCSA goalkeeping staff after playing collegiate soccer at Elgin Community College.  He is currently the Assistant/Goalkeeper Coach for the ECC Women's Soccer Team.  Tony also coaches within the Illinois Olympic Development Program and still plays the game regularly for a variety of teams in the northern suburbs.  He holds a USSF D License and is currently working towards his C License.

Raquel Castilho

License:  USSF B, C, D, E. PCA Double Goal Coach

Experience:  Raquel grew up in the hot bed of soccer in Brazil where she played for many high level teams, winning State Cup, National Championships and competing in the world renowned Dallas Cup at the U19 level.  She played collegiate soccer for Judson University in Elgin where she achieved numerous awards including Most Valuable Player, Most Valuable Offensive Player and Female Athlete of the Year.  Raquel majored in Physical Education and after graduating from Judson, she went on to complete her Masters in Educational Leadership at Aurora University.  She is currently a P. E. teacher in District 46.  Raquel comes to TCSA after coaching for several years at LTSC where she was instrumental in developing their futsal program.  She is also on staff with the Illinois ODP program.

Nick Geiken

License:  USSF National D

Experience:  Nick's youth playing experience started with TCSA Traveling, St. Charles Soccer Club and Stars & Stripes, where he got the opportunity to compete in the Gothia Cup and the Dania Cup.  He was part of the St. Charles High School soccer team that won the 1995 State Championship.  Nick attended Carthage College in Kenosha where he played soccer from 1996-1998.  His coaching career began in 2000 with the Crystal Lake Force before he came home to train with TCSA in 2002.   

Anne Iwinski

License:  USSF National C, D and E. PCA Double Goal Coach

Experience:  Anne grew up in Naperville playing soccer for Naperville Park District and Naperville Soccer Association.  While playing for NSA she was part of teams that won two State Cups and one Regional Cup.  In 1994 her team finished 4th in the National Cup Tournament.  Anne played her high school soccer at Naperville Central HS.  She played four years on the varsity team and still holds the single season scoring record.  She was a three year All-Conference selection, three year All-Sectional selection, and was an All-State and All-Midwest selection during her senior season.  She was also the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times and Daily Herald player of the year during her senior season.  Anne played in the Illinois HS state championship games in 1994 and 1995, finishing second to St. Charles and Palatine respectively. Anne went on to play college soccer at Northern Illinois University.  While at NIU she was a four year All-Conference selection, and a SoccerBuzz All-American and First Team All-Regional selection during her senior season.  She was also named the MidAmerican Conference Player of the Year during her senior season.  Anne holds the career record for goals (43), assists (43) and points at NIU.  She is also the only women's soccer player in the NIU Hall of Fame.  After finishing her playing career at NIU, she spent a year as a graduate assistant for the NIU Women's Program.  Anne is a two time graduate of NIU with her BS in History Education and her MS in Educational Administration. Anne began her youth coaching career with the Naperville Lightning Soccer Club in 1999.  She spent seven seasons with the Lightning SC coaching boys and girls teams ranging from U9-U18.  She also spent two years serving as the club administrator and the girls coordinator.  She also joined the Illinois Olympic Development coaching staff in 1999.  She was on the ODP staff from 1999-2012.  After spending time at home with her kids, she coached part time with Galaxy Soccer Club and Fury Futbol Club of Illinois.  Anne has been coaching at Team Chicago since 2010.  She has coached both girls and boys teams from U7-U10. Anne lives in Batavia with her husband and three kids, Ella, AJ and Matthew.

Bobby lynch

License:  USSF E License

Experience:  Bobby began his youth playing career with CVYSA before attending Independence High School.  After high school, he graduated from Upper Iowa University with a degree in Exercise Science.  While obtaining his degree, he spend the 2011 season as an Assistant before becoming Head Coach from 2012 to 2015 for his alma mater in Independence, Iowa.  He also served as co-head coordinator of the Tiny Tots Soccer from 2010 to 2015 in Independence.  Bobby is currently involvved with the Benedictine University women's soccer team as an Assistant/Sports Performance Coach, where he holds his CSCS certification.  He is currently working towards his D license.

JOHN MYALL

License:  USSF E

Experience:  John grew up in England playing youth soccer and is still a fan of West Ham United.  Life led him into a career in the military for several years and then he became an Illinois State Trooper. Soccer continued to be a big part of his life and between his job and family, John found time to coach his children at TCSA.  Both children are now grown and John's eldest son James is a member of the Brown University men's soccer team.  John still plays locally in the men's open league and has most recently been assisting with the TCSA TOPSoccer program.  He currently resides in the area with his wife Bella, two cats and their dog Jazzy.

Alen Osmanovic, Director of Coaching & Academy

License:  USSF National D, E, F. PCA Doble Goal Coach

Experience:  Alen played collegiate soccer for University of Wisconsin Parkside where he was the leading scorer and team captain, and was awarded Team MVP, Offensive MVP and Academic All-Conference.  He played professionally in Germany with FC 08 Homburg and played professional  indoor soccer with the Milwaukee Wave and the Chicago Storm.  He also spent 11 years working for the Milwaukee Wave's Professional Soccer Camps as both coach and site director.  In 2010 Alen was the Assistant Coach at University of Wisconsin Parkside.  Alen has been coaching youth soccer since 2001 at various club in the Wisconsin area, including Brookfield SA, Mequon United and Racine SC.  Alen joined TCSA in the spring of 2012.

Frank Panek

License:  State D, E. PCA Double Goal Coach

Experience:  Frank started training with TCSA in 2003, bringing extensive training experience from Team Chicago, Chicago Magic Soccer Club as well as Elmhurst College.  Frank was head coach with the Wheatland Athletic Club as well as a trainer and coach with the Naperville Soccer Association.  Frank also continues to referee in the local area. 

BOBBY SAFFORD

License:  USSF E, F. PCA Double Goal Coach

Experience:  Bobby began playing soccer as soon as he could walk.  He played for Woodridge Storm as a young boy, later playing for both the Chicago Magic and Sockers during his later years as well as playing for state and regional ODP teams.  Bobby continued playing in college for College for DuPage.  After graduation Bobby went into coaching.  Before coming to TCSA, Bobby coached at KICS United in Chicago.

Sara Thedorf

License:  USSF National D

Experience:  Sara joined TCSA in 2009 as a trainer for all ages.  Sara started her training career in 2005 with the Barrington Area Soccer Association.  Before that she saw a great deal of playing success as a four year starter and four year State Champion at St. Charles High School.  After high school Sara moved to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.  During her time at Parkside the team finished as League Champions twice.  Sara was a four year starter and was named Female Athlete of the Year. 

Abrahao Vinhas, Director of Coaching Premier

License:  USSF National C, D, E. PCA Double Goal Coach

Experience: Abrahao, or Abe as he is known, grew up in Brazil playing for Corinthians and Barueri youth clubs.  Abe moved on to play college soccer at Hiwassee Junior College in Tennessee where he studied physical education. After graduating from junior college he then attended and played at Bacone College in Oklahoma. After completing a successful college playing career Abe graduated with his degree in sports management which led him into coaching as a career.  Amongst other things he most recently was the assistant women’s coach at Goshen College in Indiana and then became the Youth Director at Rockford Raptors FC. As youth director he was responsible for overseeing all coaching staff u8-u13, assisted in implementing the USSF curriculum, tournament management, scheduling and direct parent assistance including all conflict resolution.  Abe is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English and recently acquired the USSF National C License. He is also a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer, NSCA-CPT.  Abe resides in Elgin with his wife.