Academy Goalkeeping Coach

Who We Are:

Minnesota United FC (MNUFC) is a professional soccer club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top tier of soccer in North America. As a club driven by passion and community, we operate under the oversight of the U.S. Soccer Federation, a member of FIFA. Our headquarters are in Golden Valley, MN, with soccer operations based at the MNUFC Training Center in Blaine. On matchdays, we call Allianz Field in St. Paul home—one of the premier soccer-specific stadiums in the country.

Position:

The Academy Goalkeeping Coach is part of the Youth Development Program (YDP) for Minnesota United FC (MNUFC), a sports business located in the Twins Cities area of Minnesota and a member of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top tier soccer league in North America.

Position Summary:

The Academy Goalkeeping Coach will play a key role in delivering a high-performance environment aligned with MNUFC philosophy, long-term player development, and professional pathways. This role is responsible for the design, implementation, and delivery of a unified goalkeeper coaching program across Academy teams (U14–U19), ensuring technical, tactical, physical, and psychological development consistent with our playing principles. This role will coach, mentor, and evaluate Academy Goalkeepers, oversee scouting and recruitment of goalkeepers, and coordinate progression pathways into the Club’s professional teams.

This is a full-time role based primarily in Blaine, MN with ability to travel required.

Why You’ll Love It Here:

At MNUFC, you’ll be part of a mission-driven Academy committed to developing the next generation of players on and off the field. In this role, you’ll work within a collaborative and growth-focused coaching staff, where ideas are shared, standards are high, and development is intentional. Every session, conversation, and match is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, helping young athletes grow while contributing to professional pathways within the Club.

If you’re energized by meaningful work and want to play a role in shaping a sustainable pipeline of talent, you’ll find purpose and pride in the environment we’re building, and we’d love to have you join us.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine a Club-wide goalkeeper coaching curriculum aligned with the Academy’s playing philosophy and MLS/USSF best practices.
  
• Lead weekly GK coaching sessions across Academy age groups; deliver individual and small-group technical and tactical training.
  
• Provide direct coaching and performance support to elite Academy goalkeepers and prepare them for first-team trials and professional competition.
  
• Manage, mentor, and evaluate Academy assistant goalkeeper coach; recruit, onboard, and deliver coaching education and professional development.
  
• Design individualized development plans (IDPs) for goalkeepers; set measurable objectives and track progress using data, video analysis, and performance metrics.
  
• Coordinate with Academy coaches, sports science, medical, performance analysis, and scouting teams to integrate goalkeeper development into broader player development systems.
  
• Oversee identification and recruitment of Academy goalkeepers; attend scouting events, regional showcases, and talent ID sessions.
  
• Plan and lead goalkeeper-specific match preparation and in-game support for Academy matches; provide post-match feedback and analysis.
  
• Maintain and manage GK coaching resources, session plans, training equipment, and technology (video, data platforms).
  
• Ensure compliance with Club policies, child safeguarding standards, and MLS/MLS NEXT guidelines.
  
• Represent the Club at regional/national goalkeeping forums and maintain professional networks to ensure best-practice alignment.
  

What You’ll Bring:

• 5+ years of experience as a goalkeeper coach in professional academies, elite youth environments, or professional clubs; MLS/USL/MLS NEXT experience preferred.
  
• Demonstrated track record developing goalkeepers who progress to professional contracts and/or national youth teams.
  
• Strong knowledge of modern goalkeeper techniques, playing with feet, distribution, shot-stopping, and set-piece organization.
  
• Experience managing coaching staff and delivering coach education.
  
• Competence with video analysis tools, GPS/monitoring systems, and performance metrics.
  

• Strong communication skills to build relationships and collaborate effectively with players and staff.
  
• Bilingual skills a plus.
  

Requirements:

• Advanced goalkeeper coaching certification(s) (e.g., USSF A/B, UEFA A/B or equivalent); specialized GK diplomas/certifications strongly preferred.
  
• Willingness to obtain SafeSport certification.
  
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
  
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, with the ability to travel locally and nationally as needed.
  

Compensation & Benefits: 

Minnesota United FC values the contributions of our team members and is committed to transparency in our compensation practices. The annual salary range for this full-time role is $50,000 - $60,000 annually (exempt). We provide a competitive benefits package that includes health coverage, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and additional perks to support you both personally and professionally.

MNUFC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.