Twenty-four Coaches from across the MLS ecosystem will participate in one of the most highly regarded and rigorous soccer coaching courses in the world
St. Louis CITY SC’s academy coach Megan McCormick, along with 23 other coaches across MLS will participate in the Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL), one of the most highly regarded and rigorous soccer coaching courses in the world. The EFCL program, which is in partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF), has directly impacted the MLS Player Pathway through the development of numerous MLS head coaches, MLS NEXT Pro coaches, chief soccer officers, MLS NEXT academy coaches, and more since its inaugural class in 2013.
McCormick is one of three women who will take part in the program this year. McCormick joined CITY SC’s academy in 2022 as the U14 Head Coach and has since transitioned to the U16 and Player Pathway Head Coach.
The EFCL program will run a total of seven weeks over an 18-month period from February 2025 to August 2026. The program will begin and end at the famed INF Clairefontaine outside of Paris, with the first sessions beginning on February 4. The first week will include expert teaching sessions, group work, and training observations before the coaches depart to participate in club immersions from February 11-18.
Coaches will then spend a week observing and learning from some of the top European clubs: Arsenal (England), FC Barcelona (Spain), Deportivo Alavés (Spain), Le Havre AC (France), CA Osasuna (Spain), Paris FC (France), Paris Saint-Germain (France), Toulouse FC (France), and Villarreal CF (Spain).
Coaches and front office members who previously received their Elite Formation Coaching License have made an impact across MLS and MLS NEXT Pro over the last decade. Notable graduates include two of the last three coaches to win MLS Cup – Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew) and Greg Vanney (LA Galaxy). Other notable coaches to complete EFCL include Nico Estévez (Austin FC head coach), Kelvin Jones (San Diego FC assistant coach), Tyrone Marshall (FC Cincinnati 2 head coach), and Anthony Capotosto (Toronto FC academy director).
