Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini Hoch formed TeamFirst Soccer Academy in 2011 with the goals of sharing their passion and love for the game and helping young women understand that personal growth and team success go hand-in-hand. TeamFirst helps girls cultivate a sense of self-worth in order to reach their full potential in life. Athletes come to TeamFirst to learn, work, compete, and have fun, and to play with a love and respect for the game.

Learn more about the TeamFirst program.

Kristine has coached at the Academy for the past several summers through our partnership with TeamFirst Soccer Academy. She will return for the tenth time with TeamFirst during Session I of the 2024 season. She also came to camp on her own as a Visiting Pro during 2015, 2016, and 2021. Learn more about Kristine.

Kristine Lilly is the world’s all-time international caps leader, having played 352 games for the United States between 1987 and 2010. She was a three-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year (1993, 2005, 2006). She left the game in 2011 as the second-leading goal-scorer and assist-maker in U.S. team history. Her career included winning two of the five FIFA Women’s World Cups in which she played, and she was part of Olympic teams that earned two gold and one silver medal. She is married and has two children.

Around the Campfire with Kristine Lilly

Mia has coached at the Academy for the past several summers through our partnership with TeamFirst Soccer Academy. She will return for the tenth time with TeamFirst in 2024. Learn more about Mia.

Mia Hamm joined the U.S. Women’s National Team in 1987 and played for 17 years. She was named FIFA’s “World Player of the Year” in 2001 and 2002. In 1991, at age 19, Hamm became the youngest team member in history to win the World Cup. Five years later, Hamm and her teammates secured the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1999, Hamm set a new record for most international goals. The record stood until and held that title until 2013 when it was surpassed by Abby Wambach. She remains the USWMNT’s all-time assist leader. Hamm was Soccer USA’s Player of the Year from 1994 through 1998 and was named MVP of the 1995 Women’s World Cup. She retired in 2004 after helping her team win gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics. She is married and has three children. She currently serves on FIFA’s Development Committee and is a part owner of Angel City FC, a National Women’s Soccer League expansion team that began play in 2022.

Camper Experience with Mia Hamm

Tisha has coached at the Academy for the past several summers through our partnership with TeamFirst Soccer Academy. She will return for the tenth time with TeamFirst in 2024. Learn more about Tisha.

Tisha Venturini Hoch was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team from 1992 – 2000. She played in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups and the 1996 Summer Olympics. During those tournaments, she played 13 matches and scored 7 goals. Venturini Hoch represented the United States in 132 international matches and scored 44 goals. She is twelfth ranked all-time among American women top goal-scorers. Venturini Hoch retired in 2001. Currently, she is part owner of Angel City FC, a National Women’s Soccer League expansion team that began play in 2022. She is married and has two children.

Camper Experience with Tisha Venturini Hoch

Sam Mewis coached at the Academy during Session V in 2023. Athletes were coached by her on the field and enjoyed spending time with her off the field.

About Sam

Sam Mewis currently plays as a midfielder for Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League, as well as the United States National Team. Throughout her career with the USWNT, Mewis has achieved remarkable success, notably playing a vital role in the team’s victory at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as the USWNT’s Bronze Medal finish at the 2020 Olympics. Originally from Weymouth, Massachusetts, Mewis began playing soccer at a young age, eventually earning a scholarship to play for UCLA where she won the 2013 national championship her junior year. In the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft, Mewis was drafted by the Western New York Flash (now known as the North Carolina Courage). She started all 20 regular-season games as a rookie in 2015, and in 2016, she helped the Cinderella team win the league championship by scoring crucial goals in both the semis and the final. In 2017, Mewis was one of three players to appear in every game for the USWNT. She played for a total of 1,242 minutes, scored three goals, and was a finalist for the 2017 U.S Female Player of the Year award. In 2020, Mewis was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Heather O’Reilly coached at the Academy during sessions in 2013, 2014, and 2022. Athletes were coached by her on the field and enjoyed spending time with her off the field.

About Heather

Heather O’Reilly (or HAO as her teammates call her) is a former midfielder for the U.S. Women’s National Team. HAO was chosen for the Olympic roster in 2004. Over her twelve-year USWNT career, she appeared 231 times and helped the team win three Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012) and a Women’s World Cup in 2015. She attended the University of North Carolina and led the Tarheels to national championships in 2003 and 2006. UNC retired her no. 20 jersey honoring her into a distinguished group of alumni including Tisha Venturini, Kristine Lilly, and Mia Hamm. HAO has played professionally in both the WPS and NWSL. In 2015, HAO led FC Kansas City to its second NWSL Championship title. In 2017, she joined the Arsenal Ladies. She played there in the Women’s Super League until May 2018. In October 2019, she played her final match for the North Carolina Courage before retiring, winning the 2019 NWSL championship. In July 2022, she announced she was coming out of retirement to play for the Irish club Shelbourne FC and fulfill her dream of competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

KC Current player and Two-Time World Cup Winner Morgan Brian Gautrat spent the second day of Session V at Berky in 2021. She answered questions, signed autographs, and spent a session on the field with the campers.

About Morgan

Morgan Brian Gautrat played four years of Soccer at the University of Virginia. While with the Cavaliers, she scored 41 goals and recorded 43 assists. Morgan won the MAC Hermann Trophy in both 2013 and 2014, becoming the fourth women’s player to win the award in consecutive years. She then went on to be selected first overall in the 2015 NWSL College Draft by the Houston Dash. Gautrat was traded to KC Current for the 2023 NWSL season. At only 22 years old, she became the youngest member of the USA’s 2015 Women’s World Cup-winning team. Brian was named to the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Best XI and won the Golden Ball for best player. She went on the play with the USWNT at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. She was also a part of the 2019 Women’s World Cup winning team.

U.S. Woman’s National Team member Andi Sullivan spent opening day of Session 5 at Berky in 2019. After eating lunch with the campers, she answered questions, took photos with every cabin, and spent the entire first session on the field with the campers.

About Andi

Andi Sullivan earned her first cap with the U.S. National Team in 2016 and has 42 caps to date. She played in the 2019 She Believes Cup and, at only 23, has a bright future with the National Team. Andi was a four-year starter at Stanford University, leading the Cardinal to a national championship in 2016. She is a past winner of the Hermann Trophy, awarded to the country’s best collegiate player, and was the number one overall draft pick at the 2018 NWSL College Draft. Andi finished second in the 2018 NWSL Rookie of the Year Voting. In 2019, she was named team captain. Andi was one of 24 players called up for the USWNT training camp prior to the USA’s November 2019 matches against Sweden and Costa Rica. Currently, Andi plays for the Washington Spirit and the United States Women’s National Team.

Yael was a Visiting Pro in 2016, 2017, and 2019 at BSA.

Training With Yael

About Yael

Yael attended the University of North Carolina (UNC), where she was part of the 2006 and 2008 National Championship teams. Yael got her first cap with the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2007 against England and was in and out of National Team camps for the next several years. She became a more permanent member of the team in 2010 and ultimately appeared 26 times for the national team.

Yael has played professionally for the Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPS), the National Womens’ Soccer League (NWSL) and for professional teams in Russia, Sweden and Cyprus.

In 2016 Averbuch founded Techne Futbol, a cutting-edge personal training app for soccer players of all ages and experience levels. The Techne system offers training sessions that can be done anywhere at any time with minimal equipment.

Yael is the former Executive Director of the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association where she represented all NWSL players in conversations with the league with the goal of advancing women’s soccer in the US. Currently, she is General Manager for Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Lori was our 2018 Visiting Pro during Session III and came back later that same summer as a master coach. She returned as a Master Coach in 2019 for Session VII: Invitational Week.

About Lori

Lindsey played at the University of Virginia from 1998–2001 and was the school’s first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. Lindsey was named Female Athlete of the Year at UVA for the 2001–02 academic year. She represented the US Women’s National Team 31 times scoring once and was part of the 2011 World Cup winning squad and the Gold Medal winning Team USA at the 2012 Olympic Games. She played professionally in both the W-League from 1997-2007 and in the NWSL from 2012-13. Lori is one of only four players to have played in all three U.S. professional women’s soccer leagues. She finished her career in December 2014 with Canberra United of the Australian W-League where she played two seasons. Lori is the former Director of Performance for the Washington Spirit Developmental Academy. Currently, Lori serves as a Soccer Analyst/Commentator for ESPN and CBS Sports.

Lori’s Berky Experience

Brandi coached at the Academy during Session I in 2015. Athletes saw Brandi on the field and throughout the camp, including on the BLOB.

Highlights from Session I with Brandi

Brandi’s Berky Experience

Around the Campfire with Brandi

About Brandi

Chastain was an important contributor on two Women’s World Cup championship teams (1991 & 1999), two Olympic champions (1996, 2004), and an Olympic silver medal winner (2000). In 1999, she became a household name after she delivered the game-winning shootout penalty kick against China in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Chastain played in 192 games for the national team and scored 30 goals. She has also worked in soccer broadcasting as both an Olympics and World Cup color commentator.

As a collegiate star, Brandi led her Santa Clara University team to two NCAA final four appearances and was named NCAA Player of the Year in 1990. She also led her high school team to three California state championships.

In addition to her stellar playing career, Chastain is also an experienced and well-regarded soccer coach. She has spent years assisting her husband Jerry Smith, the longtime head women’s coach at Santa Clara University. She currently coaches girls teams in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and has coached both boys and girls at the high school level as well as her son Jaden’s youth teams. In 2016, she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

In 2017, Rose made her first (surprise) visit at BSA. Athletes were coached by her on the field and enjoyed getting to know her better off the field at a Q&A session.

About Rose

Rose has been on a meteoric rise since her breakout year in 2015 as a junior at the University of Wisconsin. During her senior year, she was called to train with the United States Women’s National Soccer Team. On March 4, 2017, Lavelle made her debut for the U.S. Women’s National Team, going the full 90 minutes against England. She scored her first international goal on April 9 against Russia and added a second (the game-winner) against Sweden on June 8 in Gothenburg.

Prior to joining the US National Team, she already had quite a bit of international experience. In 2014, she was a starter on the USA’s U-20 Women’s World Cup Team in Canada and was one of the USA’s most effective players in the tournament. She also accomplished a remarkable feat at the 2014 CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship in the Cayman Islands. She neither scored a goal nor gained an assist during the tournament, but her impact on both sides of the ball was so great that she won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

Lavelle was a contributor to the 2019 World Cup squad starting six games for the United States scoring three goals, and was awarded the Bronze Ball. She was named the sixth-best player in the world at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 and was named to the 2019 FIFA FIFPro World XI. In the 2020 Olympics, she scored one goal for the United States to help with their bronze medal finish.

She currently plays for OL Reign of the NWSL.

Kate Sobrero Markgraf coached at the Academy during Session V in 2015. Athletes were coached by her on the field and enjoyed spending time with her off the field.

About Kate

Kate was a member of the 1999 Women’s World Cup championship team, two Olympic gold medal teams (2004, 2008) co-captaining in 2008, and an Olympic silver medal team (2000). She competed in the 1999, 2003, and 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cups and on the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympic Teams. Her 201 caps rank ninth all-time in U.S. history, and her 187 starts rank seventh. In addition, Kate played for the Boston Breakers in the WUSA and for the Red Stars in the WPS.  As a collegian, Kate helped her Notre Dame Fighting Irish team to an NCAA title in 1995. She was a three-time All-American and the defensive MVP of the NCAA’s Final Four in 1995.

In the fall of 2018, Markgraf was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. She currently serves as the general manager of the United States Women’s National Team and was instrumental in hiring current Coach Vlatko Andonovski in October 2019.

Cindy coached at the Academy during Session IV in 2015. Athletes saw her on and off the field and especially enjoyed her Campfire Q&A session.

About Cindy

Cindy Parlow Cone is a World Cup Champion (1999), two-time gold medalist (1996 & 2004), an accomplished coach, and the first female president of the United States Soccer Federation. Parlow Cone’s playing career spanned nine years with the U.S. Women’s National Team (1996-2004). She ranks among the U.S. Women’s National Team’s all-time leading scorers with 75 goals and 35 assists in 158 career appearances

Parlow Cone was the head coach of the Portland Thorns FC in its inaugural 2013 season and coached her team to the first National Women’s Soccer League championship. From 2007-2012, she was an assistant coach for the University of North Carolina’s women’s soccer program. A native of Memphis, Tenn., Parlow Cone also spent six years (2007 – 2012) as the director of coaching for senior girls programs (U-15 to U-18) at Triangle United Soccer Association in Chapel Hill, N.C. She has been a member of the U.S. U-14 and U-15 Girls National Team coaching staff and holds a USSF “A” License.

Parlow was a founding member of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), helping her Atlanta Beat team reach the playoffs in each of the league’s three seasons (2001–2003). Parlow Cone played college soccer at the University of North Carolina, where she was a four-time All-American and a member of three NCAA Championship teams. She twice won the Hermann Trophy as an outstanding female collegiate soccer player (1997 & 1998) and was named ACC Female Athlete of the Year in 1999.  In 2018, she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Currently, Cindy serves as President of the United States Soccer Federation.