Mikey Varas, a 39-year-old San Francisco native, has been named the interim head coach of the U.S. men’s national team for upcoming September matches against Canada and New Zealand. He took over the position after longtime head coach Gregg Berhalter was fired following a poor showing at the 2024 Copa América. Varas previously served as head coach of the U.S. under-20 team, leading them to a Concacaf U-20 championship in 2022 but falling short in the quarterfinals of the 2023 U-20 World Cup. He also has experience as an assistant coach for FC Dallas and with various youth teams in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
In an interview with NYC FC radio broadcaster Glenn Crooks, Varas shared his philosophy on player development, emphasizing the importance of fundamental motor skills in young players. He discussed his belief that children should engage in unstructured activities, such as playing multiple sports and exploring their neighborhoods, to enhance their coordination abilities. Varas cited a conversation with a professor associated with Italian club ACF Fiorentina as the inspiration for his approach to training players from a psychomotor and coordination perspective. He believes that the decline of “street football” and unsupervised activities has led to deficiencies in fundamental motor skills among young athletes.
Varas highlights the significance of introducing children to a range of physical activities at a young age to develop adaptable coordination abilities that can benefit them in various sports, including soccer. Drawing from his own experiences playing collegiately at the University of San Francisco and professionally in Chile, Varas advocates for a holistic approach to player development that extends beyond structured training sessions. He attributes his interest in youth development to his early coaching roles with FC Dallas, the Sacramento Republic Academy, and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, where he earned recognition as the West Conference U-14 Coach of the Year.
As Varas steps into the role of interim head coach for the U.S. men’s national team, he will lead the squad in two friendlies against Canada and New Zealand. The matches will serve as an opportunity for Varas to showcase his leadership abilities and coaching philosophy on a larger stage. While a search for a permanent head coach is underway, Varas’s performance in guiding the team through these upcoming games may position him as a strong candidate for the role. With a background in youth player development and coaching experience at various levels, Varas brings a unique perspective and approach to the national team, emphasizing the importance of fostering fundamental skills in young athletes to build a strong foundation for future success.
