CHARLESTON, S.C. (Jan. 8, 2025) – US Club Soccer is proud to announce two new hires to its growing Education & Development Department. Ross Paule, technical director, and Lauren Harkes, education and development coordinator, have joined US Club Soccer to expand the organization’s offerings and depth of services to its members.

Ross Paule comes to US Club Soccer with a range of valuable experience, most recently as FIFA Talent Coach. Prior to that, he was the head women’s soccer coach for Creighton University (2015-24). He was also executive director and technical director of Arlington Soccer Academy (Tennessee). His coaching and executive experience followed a 9-year playing career in MLS, during which he played for the Colorado Rapids, MetroStars and Columbus Crew. He was also member of U.S. Soccer’s U-17 and U-20 national teams.

Paule will lead US Club Soccer’s talent identification and player development initiatives, including the id2 Program and Player Development Program (PDP). Established in 2004, the id2 Program is a leader in player identification and development, as it provides opportunities for elite athletes to be identified, developed and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s youth national team programming. PDP events hosted by approved leagues and organizations throughout the country, in addition to id2 Selections and scouting of various competitions, build a player pool of boys and girls that are scouted every year. Scouted birth years each year are established in conjunction with U.S. Soccer’s priorities for youth national team camps.

As US Club Soccer transitions the id2 Program and PDP to Paule’s leadership, it’s worth commending the long-time efforts of its previous two id2 Program directors: Gerry McKeown (boys) and Tricia Taliaferro (girls). McKeown has been a fixture of the program since its inception, while Taliaferro joined in 2013. The two guided thousands of players through id2 events, camps and international trips, cementing their legacies in youth soccer for years to come.

“We have been reviewing id2 and PDP for the past two years with the intention to expand the reach and impact of the program to include additional pillars of our Players First Philosophy (e.g. player development, coach development, referee development, parent engagement), while strengthening the mission to help identify Youth National Team players with additional programming,” said Mike Cullina, US Club Soccer CEO. “As part of that review, it became clear that we need to develop a new department and hire a full-time technical lead to reach our goals. We are grateful to Gerry and Tricia for their leadership and expertise over the past 20+ years. Their commitment to the players and ability to manage the program, while also managing their clubs, has built a foundation for future success.”

Lauren Harkes brings significant playing experience to her role at US Club Soccer having played professionally in Denmark for Aalborg Kvinde Fodbold after Division I stints at Clemson University (2015-18) and Creighton University (2019). She played for Paule during her lone Bluejays season.

Harkes’s impact at US Club Soccer will be felt in coach education. She is the lead course administrator for all US Club Soccer-facilitated U.S. Soccer grassroots and ‘D’ licenses. US Club Soccer has quickly built out its coach education efforts, providing a depth of learning opportunities, including U.S. Soccer licenses, complimentary mental health resources and initiatives to recruit, development and retain women coaches.

“It has always been our goal to grow our team with top-notch soccer professionals, who are also exceptional people. We hit the mark with Lauren and Ross. I look forward to their contributions to the game and how they will help us expand our educational offerings and player development initiatives,” said Dr. Missy Price, US Club Soccer Vice President of Education & Development. “We are also grateful for the efforts of Gerry and Tricia. We are at a tipping point with our id2 Program, and they paved the way for the next generation of players and coaches who will wear the id2 badge.”

Paule and Harkes start their US Club Soccer careers just before Alison Kocoras, who was announced as Executive Vice President and Counsel of Safeguarding and Compliance, effective next month.