Coaching Director  - Peter Knezic

Peter Knezic, a name synonymous with Milwaukee soccer, has been the Coaching Director of FC Milwaukee since 1991. A Cudahy native Peter still lives their today with his wife Ann and six kids Stevan, Katrina, John, Timmy, Gabrielle and Danielle. Peter played his youth soccer with the Milwaukee Serbians before receiving a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. With The Panthers Peter received All American honors. After college Peter played professionally with the Chicago Horizon (MISL), Oklahoma City Slickers (ASL), Oklahoma City Stampede (ASL), The Tulsa Tornadoes (ASL) and finally The Milwaukee Wave. When Peter retired from The Wave in 1990 he was the first player in the organizations history to have his number (5) retired. His selfless devotion to the team and the game separated Peter on and off the field. Pete's nickname as a player was the "Cudahy Connector or Mr. Assist", as he was always known for his pinpoint passing. Upon his retirement he was the Wave's all time leader in assists.

Today Pete heads the state's most successful youth soccer program, The FC Milwaukee Nationals. His tireless dedication to the game and the kids who play the game has set FC Milwaukee apart. With an unwavering commitment to develop people and not just soccer players, Pete believes the lessons of soccer extend past the field. "Hard work, commitment, teamwork and selflessness are the things that make good soccer players and they are the things that make good people".

Pete has assembled the most loyal and talented coaching staff in the state. "I am really pleased with our staff. We have great coaches and more importantly great people to coach kids. We put a lot of time in to making our coaches better, which in turn makes the players and teams better".

Pete's Coaching Experience Includes:

Senior Staff Coach - Tony Wright

Coach Tony Wright has been with the FC Milwaukee Program since 1995. A native of Ireland Tony moved to the country in 1989 to marry his wife Terese. They currently live in Wauwatosa and have two children Brendan and Emma.

Tony's first coaching job was with the Tosa Kicks of the Milwaukee Kickers. He coached a girl's team that earned two trips to the Midwest Regional Championship. In 1995 Tony joined the FC Milwaukee coaching staff. He is now a full time staff coach and one of the most respected coaches in the Wisconsin soccer community. Tony does not regret his time with the program. "I've enjoyed watching hundreds of kids grow up in our program not only as players but as people"

Tony's Coaching Experience includes:

Senior Staff Coach - Rob Harrington

Coach Rob Harrington has been with the program since 1993. A Wauwatosa native Rob played with the Tosa Kicks of the Milwaukee Kickers before playing collegiate soccer at Drake University.
These days Rob coaches' full time with FC Milwaukee and loves every minute of it. "I feel fortunate to be employed by FC Milwaukee. I have coached College, High School and Club and my preference is club, in particular FC Milwaukee. I love teaching the game of soccer and working with kids of all ages. This job allows my hobby to be my career".

Rob's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Chandra Comiskey

Coach Chandra Comiskey has been involved in soccer her entire life. A stand out in Club (the Tosa Kicks) High School (Sussex Hamilton) and finally in college at UW-Milwaukee, Chandra has always excelled as a leader. At UWM she was an All-Conference player, two year Captain and helped lead the team to their first NCAA tournament appearance. Chandra has two children and is married to her husband John. She is excited about being a part of FC Milwaukee. "FC Milwaukee is a club that is consistently committed to excellence. They strive to help players reach their full potential, form a strong work ethic, and gain a respect and love for the game."

Chandra's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Laura Culhane

Coach Laura Culhane has been a member of the club since age 14. Her commitment and love for the game is evident whenever she is on the field. Laura played collegiate soccer with Marquette University as a central and outside midfielder. During her four years she helped the team to a Conference Championship and two NCAA tournament appearances. In 1999 she helped FC Milwaukee win it's only National Championship with the U20 Women's Team.

Laura is excited to be with the club. "I have never been happier in my life while playing for this club. All the FC coaches taught me so much about soccer and who I am as a person, what better idea than to coach side by side with them, as well as being involved with soccer which I have always had a true passion about. Since I can't play competitively anymore I hope to give any of what I have learned back into the club and the players I coach".

Laura's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Rob Cummisford

Having grown up in Brookfield, Rob played for a variety of select teams in the Brookfield, Elm Grove and FMI Soccer Clubs, and also at Brookfield East High School.  Rob played collegiate soccer at Lake Forest College in Illinois.  Rob and his family returned to Milwaukee after living in the Chicago area and Grand Rapids, Michigan.  He continues to play for indoor and outdoor teams today, in leagues and charitable tournaments.  "It's great to be back in Milwaukee and coaching and playing soccer here.  Milwaukee has a tremendous soccer heritage and FC Milwaukee has built a great foundation for success.  I am delighted to be involved with the program."

Rob's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Dan Fink

Coach Dan Fink grew up playing youth soccer in Elm Grove and Brookfield. He played High School soccer for Brookfield East High School where he helped lead the team to two State Championships. He has been involved in the game as a player, a referee and now a coach. Dan is enthused to be coaching. "I will always love the game of soccer. I love coaching and truly love being a part of FC Milwaukee."

Dan's Coaching Experience Includes:

Goalkeeper Coach Katie Koester

Goalkeeper Coach Katie Koester made a name for herself as one of the top goalkeepers in the state starring for Milwaukee Pius High School and the MK Tosa Kicks. She played college soccer for St. Louis University where she eventually became a volunteer assistant coach. Today Katie works full time as physical therapist and enjoys giving back to the game. "I like coaching with FC it gives me a chance to give back to the sport that gave me so much."

Katie's Coaching Experience Includes:

Goalkeeper Coach Bill Hambrook

Bill Hambrook has coached the club goalkeepers since 2003. Having played soccer in the Milwaukee area since the age of 12 he is no stranger to the soccer community. After winning two State Championships at Marquette High School as a goalkeeper Bill went on to Captain the Wright State University Men's program finishing his career in the top ten in every goalkeeping statistic. Bill started his coaching career during college with FC Dayton during college. He has been an assistant coach at Marquette University High School 1998-2005. "FC is such a great environment," "You're able to coach dedicated, talented kids and watch them progress from year to year."

Bill's Coaching Experience includes:

Coach Greg Henschel  

Coach Greg Henschel is currently the head coach of the UW Whitewater men’s and women's’ soccer programs.  During the spring months he helps FC Milwaukee with U14 and under trainings and teams.  A native of Brookfield, Greg played soccer at Brookfield East High School before moving on to star at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Greg's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Chris Hoppa

Chris Hoppa has been involved as a coach in youth soccer for over 15 years at the club and high school level. He is a longtime player who spent his youth with the Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club and played as an adult with the Milwaukee Kickers Major Team. He is excited about working with the new club. "I am looking forward to coaching with Pat White at FC Milwaukee-Menomonee Falls and joining a great coaching staff."

Chris's Coaching Experience includes:

Coach Mike Janusz

An FC Milwaukee alumni Mike was member of a team that won seven consecutive state championships. Mike played collegiate soccer at the University of Massachusetts and Marquette University. Mike is excited to get involved with coaching. "I want to give back to the game that has provided me with so many things and help kids develop into better people and soccer players."

Mike's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Nate Johnson  

Former FC Milwaukee player Nate Johnson comes to the club with a wealth of playing and coaching experience.  Nate played for FC Milwaukee (then MK Nationals) beginning at age 11.  In that time he was a member of nine state championship teams and reached the Midwest Regional Championship final twice.  He played collegiate soccer with Carthage College and has been coaching for several years.  He is enthused to be with FC Milwaukee.  "I played for the club for almost 10 years, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.  I got to travel all over the country, play soccer at the highest level, and learned a lot about being a good person on and off the field.  I am very excited to be back with the club on the coaching staff to help other kids have as much fun as I did."

Nate’s Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Brian Kimmel

Brian Kimmel comes to FC Milwaukee Menomonee Falls from the Menomonee Falls Soccer Club. A native of the Falls Brian played soccer with Menomonee Falls High School before playing collegiate soccer with Carthage College. When Brian is not coaching soccer he is a grade school teacher in the Wauwatosa school system. Brian is excited about the FC Milwaukee Menomonee Falls venture. "I am extremely excited about the union of FC Milwaukee and Menomonee Falls Soccer Club. As a coach, I feel like this will benefit me immensely. I am always eager to learn new techniques and concepts to teach my players. I am also very happy to have Pat White as the director of coaching for Menomonee Falls. I have heard great things about him and I know he is going to help me become a better coach. I think that this a big step forward for the Menomonee Falls Soccer Club and I am excited to be a part of it".

Brian Kimmel's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Mark Lambrecht

After four years away Mark Lambrecht returned to the FC Milwaukee coaching staff. A native a California Mark moved to Wisconsin in 1989. He now lives in Mukwonago with his wife Brenda and three kids Ashlyn, Amanda and Alec. When he is not coaching soccer he is a history teacher at Mukwonago High School. We are pleased to have Mark back with the FC Milwaukee staff. "I coach soccer because I love the game and never stop learning from the game. I enjoy working with kids and enjoy helping them develop as both players and people. I am coaching with FC Milwaukee because I enjoy working with people whom I love and respect like I would my own family. FC Milwaukee is also the most well-rounded club in the state, with the highest level of coaching and players while maintaining its integrity, which is a direct reflection of the people in charge of the program".

Mark's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Charlotte Large

Charlotte Large is a Mukwonago native who has returned home after earning her degree from Viterbo University.  Charlotte played goalkeeper for 4 seasons at Viterbo (2003-2007) and received a degree in education.  She will be working with FC Milwaukee and substituting in the Mukwonago school district.  Charlotte is excited to return home and coach with FC Milwaukee.  “I played for FC Milwaukee and my uncle Mark (Lambrecht) has been with the club for as long as I can remember.  It will be great working with coaches I once played for.”

Charlotte's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Christian Lavers

Christian Lavers has been a member of the FC Milwaukee Nationals coaching staff since 2005. He holds the USSF A License, the USSF Y License, and the NSCAA Premier Diploma. He is a former staff member of both the Wisconsin USYS ODP program (boys and girls), and the Region II USYS ODP program (boys and girls). Prior to working with FC Milwaukee Nationals, he coached collegiately at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the USL W-League with the Chicago Cobras, and in the youth club game with Eclipse Select (Illinois) and Madison Capital Elite Soccer Academy (Wisconsin). Lavers is also a member of the editorial staff of Soccer Coaching International (SCI), and has had various soccer coaching articles published by SCI, the NSCAA Soccer Journal, and many websites throughout the country. Lavers also works as a corporate attorney at Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., where his practice focuses on corporate transactions, information technology, and intellectual property.

Christian's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Rob Lestina

Coach Rob Lestina has been with FC Milwaukee since 1996 where he has lead 10 teams to Wisconsin Youth State Championships and two Region II Semifinal appearances.  A Wauwatosa resident, Rob is an avid soccer coach and player.  His coaching experiences prior to FC Milwaukee include stints with Waukesha North high school, Kettle Moraine high school and Whitefish Bay high school.  At the club level Rob coached with the Whitefish Bay Kickers soccer program.

Rob's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach Jenny Mance

Jenny Mance grew up playing soccer in the Milwaukee area for Whitefish Bay, Mequon Soccer Club and FC Milwaukee (then MK Nationals).  She played college soccer at St. Louis  University and earned a starting role as a defender her freshman season.  Unfortunately two knee surgeries ended her playing career.  Jenny is enthused about joining the FC Milwaukee staff.  “Soccer has always been a very important part of my life and I am thrilled to be a part of the FC Milwaukee coaching staff. I’ve had a lot of great coaches throughout my career and I am excited to take what I have learned and help the younger players at FC Milwaukee develop both individually and as a group.  I look forward to many great years with FC Milwaukee!”

Jenny’s Coaching Experience includes:

Coach Tim Martin

Tim Martin joins the FC Milwaukee coaching staff from Menomonee Falls. A Milwaukee native Tim grew up playing with the Croation Eagles before moving on to play with at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Tim currently lives in Menomonee Falls and is married to his wife, Toni Lynn. He works for a local company (Power Sprts Network) where he is employed as a Software Engineer. In his free time he trains for marathons. He is enthused about the FC Milwaukee Menomonee Falls future. "I believe the new relationship between Menomonee Falls Soccer Club and FC Milwaukee is a positive step forward in further developing a competitive soccer environment for players, while remaining in the community. I look forward to working with new FC Milwaukee Menomonee Falls teams, in addition to assisting in the development of our next generation of competitive players. The resources FC Milwaukee brings to our community will be a large asset to the success of not only the new FC Milwaukee Menomonee Falls teams, but also the Menomonee Falls Soccer Club as a whole. I am excited about the coming years as this program further develops, as well as, the opportunity to expand my own coaching development with the guidance from people like Pat White from the FC Milwaukee staff".

Tim Martin's Coaching Experience Includes:

Coach KATIE MARTINEK