Staff Bios
Phil Nielsen
Chief Executive Officer
I started at Colorado United on June 1, 2023. I have a long history in youth soccer at all levels of the game in the Midwest, the Northeast & in my native Denmark. I have head-coached youth, high school, State ODP, Region II ODP, National ODP, college & semi-pro programs, as well as coached & scouted with the U.S. girl's national teams. I ran the U.S. Soccer National Training Center for Illinois & Wisconsin in 2016 & 2017. I hold U.S. Soccer A license & a UEFA A license from the Scottish FA. In addition to my coaching background, I have served as Academy Director, Director of Coaching, Head of Coaching & Executive Director at four elite youth soccer clubs. I hold a Bachelor's degree in International Marketing & a Master's in International Economics. I live in Centennial with my trusted sidekick Belo - a Rhodesian Ridgeback/Hound rescue.
Andy Sweetland
Chief Financial Officer
As CFO I oversee the accounting and financial aspects of the club and enjoy being part of the organization. My connection with the Colorado United has been for over 20 years with both my boys playing for the club and I have coached with the organization over that period of time.
Originally heralding from England, I am a Derby County supporter and have visited over 30 stadiums in England watching the mighty Rams play. Away from work I enjoy hanging out with my wife, two sons & family dog Billy while hiking the Colorado trails
Caitlyn Moses
Operations Director
I am the Operations Director. I have worked in many capacities since joining the club in 2017 & am proud of the contributions I’ve made in each role. I hope to continue to positively impact our membership and community.
Erin Rigsby
Competitive Admin
I have the rewarding challenge of making sure hundreds of competitive players get on the field every weekend. From creating game schedules to navigating last-minute changes (and sometimes rescheduling those games all over again thanks to Colorado's unpredictable weather) I keep everything running as smoothly as possible behind the scenes.
A Colorado native and lifelong soccer player, I have been immersed in the game for as long as I can remember. My passion for soccer extends beyond the field as I work to create a positive experience for players, coaches, referees & families while helping the game continue to grow within the community.
Outside of work, I am a proud mom of three amazing kids, including one who currently plays for Colorado United. When I'm not at the soccer fields, you'll likely find me out for a run, enjoying Colorado's beautiful outdoors, or spending quality time with my family.
erin@coloradounitedsoccer.com
Morten King-Grubert
Chief Experience Officer & Outreach Director
As Colorado United's first Chief Experience Officer & Outreach Director, I draw on more than 15 years of entrepreneurial experience founding, scaling, and leading companies around the world with a customer-first mindset. As a former diplomat with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I bring that same relationship-focused approach to youth soccer through the concept of "soccer diplomacy" by using the game to build partnerships, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for all. I lead Colorado United's Outreach initiatives by collaborating with nonprofits, school districts, and community organizations to expand access to the game and create meaningful impact and joy for children and families in underserved communities.
I hold coaching licenses from both the Danish Football Association (DBU) and U.S. Soccer. Outside of the club, I live in Lone Tree with my wife, Shelby, and our two soccer-loving Colorado United players, Zoey and Axel.
Livia Goree
Marketing & Events Director
Coming Soon
Barry Mantle
Head of Coaching - Competitive
I am the Head of Coaching-Competitive. I work alongside our Competitive Directors to ensure we provide the best soccer opportunities for our players & coaches to help develop their skills, passion and love for the game of soccer. I am very fortunate that soccer has provided me with the opportunity to work within the sport that I love.
I have held various roles in my 20+ years with Colorado United. My love for soccer stems from my childhood growing up in Wales, UK. I am “still” a passionate Manchester United fan.
When I am not out and about on the soccer fields I enjoy spending family time with my wife, Ruth and 3 children Sam, Nia & Rhiana. We enjoy hanging out, hiking, camping, socializing, golfing & traveling.
Michael Posen
Head of Coaching - Copa & Rec
I'm Head of Coaching-Rec & Copa, overseeing TOPSoccer, Lollipops, Rec, Rec+ & Copa.
With my team of six outstanding full-time directors, I lead an innovative department serving 3,500+ players, supporting 500+ volunteer coaches & 50+ professional staff coaches each year. My passion is creating player-centered environments that provide meaningful developmental experiences.
I joined this club because of its outstanding reputation for connecting with the local community & its commitment to developing players for life.
I'm a U.S. Army veteran & lifelong soccer administrator, coach, and referee. Born & raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I've dedicated my career to growing the game through leadership, education & community engagement.
I've served as ED & DoC for a youth soccer club, as a Director & ODP Staff Coach with the New Mexico Youth Soccer & served as the State Director of Instruction for the New Mexico Soccer Referee Committee.
I hold a U.S. Soccer B License, the USC DoC Diploma & National TOPSoccer coaching & instructor certifications. I currently serve as the West Region Representative on the U.S. Youth TOPSoccer Committee & on the CSA Recreational League Operations Committee.
I met my wife, Danessa through soccer & we have been happily married since 2018. She is an English Language Development teacher at Littleton HS. We are both passionate advocates for children with special needs. We have a two-year-old daughter, Marianna, who already loves swimming & playing "soccer games."
Amber Matthews
GA Director & Player Well-Being Coordinator
Coming Soon
Dannelle Lewandowski
GA Aspire & Girls U15-U19 Director
I am the Director of Girls Aspire and Competitive U15-U19.
I grew up in Minnesota as a 3 sport high school athlete and played both soccer and fast pitch softball in college. After college I was on the Midwest and Southest Regional Rugby teams. I have my Master's Degree in Health, Physical Education and Athletic Training. I spent 20 years coaching in Atlanta at Roswell Soccer Club, Tophat and GA ODP. I have now lived in Colorado for 2 years.
I hold my US Soccer A License, US Soccer Club Technical Leadership, and US Soccer Coach Educator Grassroots license.
Outside of soccer, I enjoy spending time with my husband, two kids and our dog. We enjoy traveling, play golf, tennis and going on hikes.
Seth Trembly
MLS Next Director
Coming Soon
Rafa Amaya
MLS Next Head Coach
Coming Soon
Jim "Snoop" Schneiderhahn
Girls U13-U14 Director, GA Head Coach & Director of College Recruitment
Jim "Snoop" Schneiderhahn brings more than two decades of coaching experience to Colorado United. Most recently, he served as interim assistant coach at Loyola Chicago, helping the program achieve its best Big East season and earn a postseason berth.
Schneiderhahn spent nine years at Purdue University, where he helped guide the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2009 in 2021, the program's second-most wins in a season and its best conference finish in school history. He also coached two All-Americans and two NWSL draft picks.
Prior to Purdue, Schneiderhahn helped Illinois State win four consecutive Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships and earn four straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2011-2014, while earning three MVC Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
He began his coaching career in 1996 at his alma mater, Benedictine, later serving as head coach at Emporia State from 2006-2010. Schneiderhahn has also been involved with the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program since 1996.
Shay Trembly
EA & Boys U13-U14 Director
Coming Soon
Brian Cvilikas
Futsal Director & Boys U15-U19 Director
Coming Soon
JC Garzon
Boys Goalkeeping Director
I bring more than 15 years of professional coaching experience, having developed goalkeepers and field players across MLS NEXT Pro, USL Championship, NCAA Division I, and elite academy environments. I currently serves as Director of Goalkeeping for Colorado United Soccer, building a club-wide goalkeeper curriculum for more than 140 goalkeepers across multiple age groups and competitive levels. Previously, as Assistant Coach and Director of Goalkeeping at Chattanooga FC in MLS NEXT Pro, two of my goalkeepers ranked in the top 10 of the league's Goals-Added metric. At El Paso Locomotive FC in USL Championship, I helped build an academy-to-professional pathway that contributed to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances.
I hold a USSF "B" License, alongside a Professional Master's in Goalkeeping Coaching Science, training & Soccer Methodology, Sports Psychology and more. Before coaching, I served eight years as a Lieutenant in Colombian Special Operations Forces, an experience that continues to shape my coaching philosophy of discipline, preparation, and composure under pressure. Fluent in English and Spanish, I am committed to developing players who compete with a championship mindset on and off the field.
Shannan Murray
Girls Goalkeeping Director
A Colorado native, Shannan recently moved back to the state from North Carolina. She played for several top clubs, including Littleton United, was the starting varsity goalkeeper at Smoky Hill High School as a freshman, represented Colorado at multiple Far Western Regionals, and played overseas with U13 and U16 U.S. travel teams.
Shannan brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to Colorado United. She holds her United Goalkeeping Level 3 certification and U.S. D License and has coached girls' and boys' teams at all youth levels, as well as high school soccer in multiple states. She currently coaches WPSL during the summer and has coached at CU Boulder summer ID camps for the past eight years.
At Colorado United, Shannan works with goalkeepers across GA, ECNL/RL, MLS Next, NPL/NAL, and competitive teams, as well as college-level keepers during the summer.
She is passionate about developing the whole goalkeeper, incorporating sports visualization and helping players with pre-game and in-game nutrition to support their mental and physical performance.
Outside of soccer, Shannan enjoys hiking, snorkeling, footgolf, and playing coed indoor and outdoor soccer. She is married with two children and is a proud pet mom.
shannan@coloradounitedsoccer.com
Lindsey Hendon
U11-U15 Rec/Rec+ Admin
Coming Soon
Paul Hogan
Boys U11-U12 Transition Director
Originally from Chicago, I have called Colorado home for the past nine years. I am a former Division I player at Northern Illinois University, hold a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology: Exercise Science & the U.S. Soccer B License. Before joining CU I served as a U8–U10 Girls Director of Coaching & Girls ECNL Assistant Director.
Outside of soccer, I enjoy spending time with my lab mix, Ted & listening to my favorite band, Arcade Fire.
Mara Driver
Girls U11-U12 Transition Director & GA Head Coach
I am a Girls Academy (GA) Head Coach and Girls U11-U12 Transition Director at Colorado United. I'm passionate about helping young players develop both on and off the field. My journey with the club began as a player, competing for Colorado United from U11 through U19 before continuing my playing career at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels.
After graduating from Regis University in 2022 with a degree in Marketing, I returned to the club that helped shape me as both a player and a person. Since then, I've served in a variety of coaching and director roles before stepping into my current position as a Girls Academy Head Coach and Girls U11-U12 Transition Director.
I currently hold my U.S. Soccer B License and am passionate about sharing my love for the game with players, parents, and fellow coaches. My goal is to create a positive, challenging environment where players build confidence, develop a lifelong love for soccer, and reach their full potential both on and off the field.
When I'm not on the soccer field, I enjoy hiking, camping, fly fishing, and exploring the outdoors. I also love spending time with my family, friends, and my dog, Poppy.
John Senkosky
Field & Facility Director
Coming Soon
Felipe Quiroga
Copa & CO Cup Director
I'm from Bogota-Colombia. My passion in life is soccer. I started playing U4-U8 in Fair Play Club FC & then joined Pro-Club Independiente Santafe for my youth & pro career, At U12 I was able to play in the academy of Velez Sarsfield club (Argentina). At U16 I played in the Independiente Santafe reserves & then was promoted to the first team where I played my first pro game in 2005.
In 2012 I moved to New York, to play in the NPSL Brooklyn Italians & started coaching for Super Soccer Stars club for 2 years, being the U9-U12 Director of coaching, winning the NY Cosmo league & state championship. In 2014 I moved to Colorado to work for Colorado Storm as the Girls Regional Director of Coaching, coaching in the ECNL program, where I had numerous HS players earn college scholarships.
I've been with United since 2019. As the Copa Director, my goal is to push - train & help players advance, competing at their highest level, have the players with a smile on their faces when they leave the soccer field & grow their love of the game.
I hold a US Soccer B license, NSCAA National Youth - Premier - Advanced Diploma. GK 1-2 Diploma, La Liga Formation methodology level 3, Real Madrid coaching methodology Diploma.
I have a bachelor's degree in Business Administration & Economics from Javeriana University. Before coaching, I worked at IBM for 2 years
I'm married to Luisa & we live in Parker with our rescue Shepherd mix. I love to travel the world, watch movies & play tennis. I continue to play soccer every chance I get. My favorite soccer teams are Boca Juniors from Argentina & Santafe from Colombia.
Isaac Miller
U8 Admin & Rec+ Director
My name is Jorge Isaac Miller, and I was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. I was adopted at age 14 by an incredible family from Belleville, Pennsylvania. Spanish is my first language, and I’m proud of the experiences and culture that have shaped who I am today.
As the Rec+ Director at Colorado United, my goal is to provide players with high-quality, professional coaching while creating a clear pathway into the club’s competitive programs, all while keeping the game fun. I’ve been coaching for more than 15 years and love helping players develop their skills, build confidence, and foster a lifelong love for the game.
My coaching journey began at 19 when I volunteered with my hometown club, Mifflin County United. I studied Recreation, Parks & Tourism Management at Penn State University and continued coaching throughout college. After graduating, I worked with Mega Sports Camp and United Sports Institute in New Jersey before joining Colorado United.
Outside of soccer, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Jessie, family, friends, and our cat, Willie, and dog, Checa. I love hiking, camping, cooking, DIY projects, exploring Colorado, and trying foods from different cultures. I’m also an avid coffee enthusiast and lifelong Real Madrid supporter.
Susie Puchino
U9-U10 Rec/Rec+ Director
In 2024, I graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science, concentrating in Health Promotion. During college, I played three years of club soccer and gained hands-on experience through the CSU Adult Fitness Program, where I taught group fitness classes, mentored student trainers, and worked with adults to improve their health and fitness. I also volunteered as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Rocky Mountain High School, helping athletes improve their strength and technique.
I joined the Colorado United staff in June 2024, returning to the club where I played my entire youth soccer career. I started as the U11-U15 Rec/Rec+ Director and then in December 2025 transitioned to the U9-U10 Rec/Rec+ Director. I currently hold my USSF D License and coach in the Copa program. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the club that shaped my soccer journey.
susie@coloradounitedsoccer.com
Katie Puchino
U6-U7 Director
I'm the U6-U7 Recreational
Director
for the club. I am a Colorado United alum, having played for the club for my entire youth soccer competitive career.
I spent my collegiate
soccer
career at CU-Colorado Springs, where I earned a B.S. in Exercise Science. After graduation, I played a fifth year as a graduate student at Fort Hays State University before transitioning into the assistant coach role. I received my Master's in Health and Human Performance
in
2024.
I started coaching at Colorado United in 2015 which
has involved multiple roles, including Lollipops coach, Lollipops site coordinator, Academy Staff Coach, Copa Coach, and Competitive Coach. It has been so exciting to bring my coaching skills & love of soccer back to my childhood club.
I'm currently the Head Boys Varsity coach at Littleton H.S. & coach in our competitive program.
Paula Cross
U4-U5 Lollipops Director
I started with Colorado United 20+ years ago as the club’s receptionist. My roles have increased throughout the years to include the Administrator for the Lollipops program & the office manager. I thoroughly enjoy working with the 3 & 4-year-olds, and creating a positive environment for them and their initial soccer experience. The knowledge I have gained & my attention to detail set a positive tone for the ultimate success of the club. In my free time, I like to read & spend time with family, friends, and my little dog, Buddy.
