The word “challenge” holds simple meaning to most. But to Jamil Faryadi it encompasses his journey in life, and in particular the sport of soccer.

As a McLean coach and U9-U12 Boys Age Group Director, “challenge” for him means something on and off the field. To challenge a player, or challenge the ball, or challenging  yourself by trying new things or taking on new opportunities.

It also means representing your neighborhood on the pitch.

Jamil began playing soccer in his youth in Afghanistan, where there was little to no organization in the sport. “Everything was basically happening on the streets or on the playground of the elementary or middle schools of Kabul. That was if you were lucky that your school had a playground where you could play,” he said.

Kids in the surrounding neighborhood would play pickup with one another. But when it was time to play against somebody else, an official system was created to communicate with the other neighborhoods teams.

“When we decided to play against somebody else, the way it works over there in Afghanistan (and still does) is basically all the kids in your neighborhood would write on a piece of paper the word “Challenge.” We would send our letter with a couple of our boys who would go to the neighboring street and deliver it to their guys. And if they accept the challenge, they would come in and we would play against them.”

Local challenges would be a way to showcase skill but also show pride for your neighborhood. Elders would walk by and watch, hoping their team would edge out the rivals of the neighboring streets. And even though the system lacked the bounds and resources of organized clubs, it still developed a passion for the game that Jamil still carries with him today.

“In a nutshell, creativity comes in when you’re forced into not having opportunities,” he said.

In his early teens in the 1980s, his family moved to Germany due to the political unrest in Afghanistan. Jamil and his uncle of the same age, Jawed Sanie, found solace and familiarity in pickup games while living in Bad Nauheim, 40 kilometers north of Frankfurt.

“I was under the same assumption that we would send challenges to other teams,” Jamil said. “We had the same mentality we had in Afghanistan.”

Their pickup games took place on a grass field in a small valley surrounded by Azalea bushes. Above it, houses with balconies lined the hillside overlooking the field where one house in particular stood out the most to him. Jamil noticed a man who always sat on his balcony during the early evening hours smoking a pipe after dinnertime.

After watching for weeks, the man came down to them and introduced himself as Herr (Mr.) Steuer. When he discovered that both Jamil and his uncle didn’t play for any local clubs, he invited them to come join a club in the area where he was coaching.

Herr Steuer eventually became one of the most influential figures in Jamil’s life for years to come, as he introduced him and his uncle to the organized game of soccer.  He was very kind, but also very stern and disciplined in the way he conducted his training.

“[Herr Steuer] took us to our very first club where we eventually played for 3 years in the rural part of our city that we lived, it was called SG Ostend of Bad Nauheim,” he said. “Basically as we walked in for the first time, we both felt like royalty because it was an actual club — soccer field, clubhouse, canteen, various sizes of cones. We thought, ‘man, this is it.’ In reality, it was just a simple little shack, a clay field and a few grass fields.”

The club’s initiation for all it’s members was simple: juggle 1000 times. The task could be broken up into batches of 10, but until you hit that magic number, they were not able to practice with the rest of the team.

It took Jamil almost three weeks to complete the task. Other players came, started and finished before he was able to hit 1000.

“So that’s the first lesson of the game I learned: Just focus on the first 10. Do 10, then do another set of 10, another set of 10. I did not know that, but that was my first time learning this game in a very organized way. It was a lesson in persistence, patience, perseverance and hard work.”

Jamil (bottom left) with his team in Germany. Herr Steuer (top right) still is an influence in Jamil’s view of the game.

Throughout the next few years at SG Ostend, Jamil learned more and more about the tactical side of the game from Herr Steuer. He learned how to analyze the opponent and approach the game accordingly. He brought all of those lessons with him to the US when his family immigrated stateside.

Many of his extended family members joined him in the US, a monumental step toward a new life. He fondly remembers the plane ride into JFK where he could see the Statue of Liberty for the first time. A number of Polish immigrants on the plane started a ‘USA!’ chant, seeming to shake the entire cabin.

Jamil’s family settled in northern Virginia and have been here ever since. As a teenager, he attended Lake Braddock High School, even having some overlap with Mia Hamm in 1989.

He and his uncle played on the high school team and also were part of a haphazard club team that was thrown together using talented rec players from the area. Eventually, he and his uncle moved on to Radford University where his uncle was recruited to play. Because Jamil wanted to join him as well, he was first asked to be a “manager” and training player for the first year. He joined the team as a full time player as a sophomore.

However, his playing tenure was short lived at Radford. He returned home to care for his family during a recession, leading him to begin his coaching career — ultimately putting him on his path to McLean.

What started as a love for pickup and playing the game became a full time job when he was seen by Hugo Phan and Clyde Watson at the Fairfax Sportsplex. With Hugo he was simply a demonstrator for the early days of the HP Elite clinics. After Clyde saw his skill and enthusiasm as a bystander, he asked him to join him in creating Team America in early 1994.

“The rest is history,” he explained.

Jamil and Clyde Watson began working together in the early 1990s.

Team America took shape with a number of high-level teams and coaches — many of the original staff members are still big names in the DMV today. Those teams competed on the national stage, even taking home hardware at the very first Disney Showcase in Florida.

Team America saw a number of elite coaches and players — including Molly Menchel, a current MYS staff member (first row, fourth from left).

Eventually, he joined McLean in 2000 where he has been ever since. Jamil was instrumental in setting up the club’s structure that’s seen today, implementing a board and management positions. As the first club in the area with Age Group Directors, he headed the U13-U15 girls age group for over a decade.

After a year-long absence to serve in Afghanistan with the US military, Jamil moved over to MYS’s boys side in 2012. His goal was and still is to better develop the younger players in the club so they are successful later in their careers.

I really think this is my calling,” he said. “The younger age group has a long way to go to be the best. I realized that that’s one area of soccer in this country that has not been developed to the level that it should.”

Jamil Faryadi and his 08 Gold team, who took home silver at a tournament in March.

His idea of successful youth players starts with the development of high-level coaches overseeing them. His role as an age group director means he gets a hand in choosing the right personalities for each team.

“The top coaches in this country should be in the youngest age groups, but how do we get them all educated?” he explained. “We have to understand the best way for these kids to learn, become successful, we have to make the game enjoyable for them. But consequently, it’s about how we get the right coaches in there. Just because somebody knows a lot of soccer, does not mean their personality is right or understand teaching and especially the young ones.”

“Some coaches feel they need to cement their place among the coaching society and to appease parents by winning games. As a result, our young kids are being sacrificed for the purpose of a coach’s success,” Jamil said.

He believes it’s his role and responsibility as the Age Group Director to guide other coaches to see their strengths and weaknesses, and use them in a way that serves the players first. Each kid and team is vastly different, and the best coaches are able to utilize those differences to maximize each player’s individual success.

That in itself is a massive challenge, but Jamil sees it as a way to constantly grow and change with the game. 

“I’m very competitive in the sense that I don’t want to fall behind any other coach. I know I am a very good student of the game, and I am not afraid of the hard work,” he said. “I know I will give my best when coaching at any level.”

Jamil’s next challenge remains a mystery, but he’s confident he can meet it using the vast knowledge he’s collected over the years in his different roles. 

One thing won’t be a challenge, though: his passion for the game isn’t going anywhere.

There are few people more well-known in the DMV soccer community than Clyde Watson.

Currently MYS’s Technical Director, his career has spanned a handful of different roles — from playing and coaching at the professional level to working with young players like his current U12s — and as a result, Clyde has impacted the lives of hundreds of players and coaches alike.

His teams have brought home numerous elite trophies, sent players off to prestigious collegiate programs, and are renowned for their success around the country. But coaching was not his original plan.

“I didn’t think [coaching] was something I would pursue, but it’s something that I’ve always done and always enjoyed doing,” he said.

His journey to the sidelines began in Guyana, where he was born and grew up around the game.

“For as long as I can remember, myself and my brothers, we always played soccer. I couldn’t tell you when it actually started, but we played forever. And basically we all played in the same club and matriculated through the various divisions.”

By the age of 14 he was playing in the top division in his area. Within a couple years, he was scouted by the Clemson University coach and joined the team at only 16 and a half. Including himself, the team was almost entirely made up of international players.

“That was pretty unique for the time,” he said. He and his teammates lifted the Tigers to an impressive two NCAA Final Four appearances, and — in his own words — only lost four or five games during his time there. On top of that, Clyde was named All-ACC all four years of his career.

Though his talent as a player was clear, he didn’t expect to continue playing after college. His main objective was to use his degree in geology to return home to Guyana and work in the bauxite industry. His coach at Clemson had a different idea.

“One day my coach called me into his office and he said, ‘Hey, there’s this team in New York that is interested in you.’ And I said I’m not interested. And he said, ‘Look, they’re going to fly you up for the weekend, all expenses paid, they’re going to put you up in a hotel. I think you should do it.’”

He attended the tryout in NYC during a historic snow storm, turning a weekend trip into an entire week. The snow prevented the group from playing outside so the tryout took place in a gym. Professional players from all over the world were there — and Clyde saw that he could hold his own amongst the talent.

Clyde Watson (left) started his professional career with the USL New York Eagles.

So began his decade-long professional career. Starting with the New York Eagles in the American Soccer League, he also went on to play with the Pennsylvania Stoners, Detroit Express, and various indoor teams around the country. He also spent time overseas in the former state of Yugoslavia. 

While he played, Clyde started dabbling in coaching on the side.

“Like my professional career, I didn’t plan on coaching,” he said. His mentor from home became instrumental in opening his eyes to the possibility of making soccer a long-standing career. 

“As a kid growing up, I knew this guy August who was my mentor. And later in life when I moved to Washington, D.C. our paths crossed and we started coaching and working together,” he explained. “August was instrumental in me at least considering that maybe there is something here, maybe this is what I want to do.”

Clyde’s move to the DMV in 1984 allowed him to start coaching seriously through camps and clinics. He took teams at a variety of clubs and built up his name in the soccer world.

Eventually he was coaching at the highest levels — after becoming the Director of Coaching at Team America and heading the UDC Men’s Soccer program, he was brought on as a founding staff member of the Washington Freedom team in 2001. Legendary players like Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach as well as a slew of international talents came through the club under his guidance. Before the WPS folded in 2011, Clyde and the Freedom took home two championship titles.

Clyde Watson was the Assistant Coach for the Washington Freedom from 2001-2010.

With many high-level experiences under his belt, he simultaneously began working with McLean — working his way from assistant coach to Age Group Director. The teams he worked with became renowned for their success.

His youth groups took home national finalist and champion titles, won Super Y championships, were crowned VYSA State Cup winners over a dozen times, and more. Clyde himself gained recognition at the state and national level — he was named NSCAA 2007 Youth Girls National Coach of the Year, USYS 2011 Region I Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, VYSA 2011 Virginia Girls Competitive Coach of the Year and 1998 Boys Youth Virginia Coach of the Year.

His philosophy with all his teams has proven beneficial, both on paper and through his players’ individual successes on and off the field. Many have gone on to play at higher levels or have become well-decorated coaches and staff in other clubs. To him, soccer is mostly just a way to develop transferable skills for kids to use the rest of their lives.

“I don’t promise that you’re going to win a national championship or anything like that, but I do promise every kid two things — that you’ll become a better player and become a better person,” he said. “And we realize that team sports lends itself to preparation for life. And I feel that part of my responsibility is to help share the values that you can get out of this sport so that maybe you can use it at a later date in other areas of your life.”

Outside of Clyde’s team success, his ample time at McLean also helped him develop relationships with more and more players and staff over the years — many of whom still reach out to him today.

“Now there are a couple of players that I've got letters from 20 years after I’ve coached them that indicated just how fortunate they felt their time with me was. But there are a handful of instances that any time I want to ask myself why am I still doing this, if I reflect on those people and those moments, it’s enough to say, I know why I’m doing this.”

Now McLean’s Technical Director, Clyde’s role has shifted to include both administrative and on-field responsibilities. He works with teams of all ages, though he feels like his coaching is moving younger and younger.

“Over the years I find myself migrating younger and younger and younger. And I suspect that trend will continue. I don’t know that I enjoy that more, I just feel like it’s an area that I can contribute to. I’m doing a U12 group now, and I’m just having the best time of my life. Over a short space of time you see evolution and it’s very, very gratifying.”

Along with coaching, he hopes to give more time to his fellow coaches in a mentor-type role. Though he believes he has knowledge to share, he recognizes coaching soccer is a constant learning process.

“[My mentor] always said to me, ‘Clyde, when you finally figure out what this game is all about, you’re too old to do anything about it,’” he explained. “The game will evolve, you have to evolve with it, and nobody knows everything. So as a coach, if you’re aspiring to coach at higher levels or at a better level, you better approach it with the belief that just around the turn there is something there for me to learn. If you think you’ve got it figured out, you’ve just lost it.”

Clyde will continue to impact players and coaches for years to come. His passion for the game is infectious and his experience is unmatched.

“I came to realize, ‘You know what, I can coach soccer — but the reality of it is that you can impact people’s lives and you’re just using soccer as the vehicle,’” he explained. “And some of the most lasting memories and friendships I’ve had have come with and between people that I’ve mentored or coached or worked with over the years. And for that I am eternally grateful.”

“Watch me.”

If you’ve ever been around Farzad Mahmoudpour on the field, you’ve seen him jumping into drills and demonstrating every activity. He does it with precision and attention to detail — showing his players exactly what’s expected of them.

For him, showing is the ultimate form of coaching.

“Observation is the best thing,” he said — both of coaching others and of learning the game himself. With English as his second language, he finds it much easier to teach by example than use lengthy explanations. 

“I understand that sometimes when I talk less, it’s better. I don’t mind, I accept it. But I know that if I show, I’m going to be one of the best. I trust myself.”

His talent as a player throughout his career has made showing a simple task.

Growing up in the Iranian city of Ghaemshahr, his street was full of family members, neighbors, and friends that helped him grow his love for the game. He was nicknamed Kela — a name still used decades later.

His first memories of soccer started in the streets where he played with kids of all ages. Watching the others helped him learn and develop as a player.

“On the street we played soccer every day,” he said. “And it was ordered by the ages — the older kids had the privilege to play first. When they got tired, the middle-aged kids go. When they got tired, then we go. But I was lucky, honestly because everybody saw that I was good. They’d say, ‘Ok, Kela, you can play with us.’ So I had the privilege to play with the older kids.”

He was a rising star on the pitch, even placing third in the national states competition. He was also verbally invited to a camp with the Iranian national team. But in 1979, a political revolution changed the course of his career.

In 1982 he was arrested as a dissident and jailed for advocating for political freedom. He was only 15 at the time.

But even in jail, soccer was his solace. He would organize mini tournaments during the prisoners’ one hour of daily fresh air time. He even convinced the older inmates to play.

Imprisonment unfortunately meant that Farzad had to forego his national team and educational opportunities. After his release, though, he was able to secure a professional contract with a club called Nassaji where he made his debut at 18 years old.

His professional career in Iran was exciting - the 40,000 person stadium was full of devoted fans from around the entire city. He became a local celebrity, often getting playing advice (wanted or otherwise) from people in the community he saw throughout the day. 

Farzad Mahmoudpour first played professionally with Nassaji at 18 years old.

Though his career was taking off, the political turmoil in Iran forced him and his family to flee the country in 1995. After a risky escape to Pakistan, Farzad, his wife, and his 2 year-old daughter tried their best to safely assimilate into a new culture. Soccer again became his touch point. 

Through some connections with other Iranian and Afghani refugees, he started coaching and playing with a group called Hijrat Shah FC. They played throughout the area, dominating other teams and claiming local fame.

Again, soccer was his way to connect with his community. He often credits the sport for rescuing him and pushing him forward through adversity.

After many years of waiting, Farzad and his family were finally able to emigrate in 1998 to Chelsea, Massachusetts, right outside Boston. There they began taking English courses at the local community college and working to start their new life overseas.

“The social worker asked me,’What skills do you have?’” he explained. “I told her I was a soccer player.”

He began working odd jobs, but always saw soccer as his passion. On the side he trained and eventually tried out for the Boston Bulldogs and Cape Cod Crusaders — both being USL teams in the area. At the age of 34, he fought his way onto the Crusaders roster.

He began his coaching path the following year, traveling to Florida to pursue his NSCAA National License. Though he felt out of place and struggled to understand the course taught in English, his instructor encouraged him to simply “show him” that he understood the concepts — demonstrate the activities and coaching points, drag players around to show positioning, anything to help them understand what he’s asking for.

He did, and was awarded the license.

His coaching career really took off when he moved from Boston to the NOVA area. Players from his old Pakistani team had emigrated there, and encouraged him to join them. He did, coaching them throughout the year and starting his youth career in Arlington.

Soon after, he was awarded Coach of the Year from Arlington. Later, he began coaching within the state ODP program and at local high schools. He continued his licensure and received his USSF Youth National and “C” License.

He joined McLean in 2005 and has coached players in all age groups. Currently, he works with 04 and 07 girls and U9 boys. Even with his extensive experience, he still sees his coaching as a work in progress.

“To me the difference between coaching and playing: coaching is very hard. When I go to the field, I feel like I’m a student. I’m focused, I’m teaching but I’m learning. Sometimes I feel like I don’t know anything about this game, you know?”

But observation is still the key to Farzad’s success. His ability to see the game and understand his players using his own experiences means he’s able to connect on a deeper level. 

“The advantage I have is when I see something that is connected to my playing so I can put myself in my player’s shoes — physically, mentally, technically. When a player is tired, I feel it. When a player is rolling their eyes, I can feel it. As soon as they move, I try to feel it.”

Farzad's goal is to continue working with and developing the younger age groups. Their ability to learn quickly and develop key skills draws him in as a coach. 

Still, you’ll likely see him jumping into sessions — regardless of their age. He also often plays pickup in over-50 leagues and with other Iranian teams. His passion for the game hasn’t faltered.

Farzad still plays in adult leagues, even competing in national tournaments.



Coach Farzad often participates in his players’ training sessions.

“Playing is a meditation for me,” he said.

To Farzad, soccer is so much more than a fun game. It has taught him discipline, given him joy in dark moments, and helped him meet amazing people. It’s his connection to his community back home, and a way for him to remember those who he left behind in Iran.

He hopes to one day return to his home there. His community means the world to him and modern technology has helped him stay connected.

But for now, he will continue to do amazing things in the American soccer community. It’s clear his passion for the game isn’t letting up any time soon.

So next time you see Coach Farzad on the field, ask him to show you a thing or two.