Guy Zaouch

U.S. SOCCER COACHING LICENSES

National D
Issue date: 05/07/2026

I grew up in Israel and have been playing soccer since I was six years old. I played at the youth
programs of professional level clubs from U7 to U16 with Hapoel Afula, Hapoel Haifa, and
Maccabi Tel Aviv, primarily as a goalkeeper. My development at these clubs as a young player
instilled in me a strong technical foundation, discipline, and deep tactical understanding of
the game.

After serving in the Israeli military, I moved to the U.S. in 2006 and continued playing
competitively in the Oregon Adult Soccer Association (OASA) and the Oregon Premier Soccer
League (OPSL) in both outdoor and indoor leagues. I remained active in high-level amateur
competition until 2015/16. In 2017, after relocating to Idaho, I returned to playing at the old
Meridian Indoor Soccer facility and joined a team in the Southern Idaho Soccer League (SISL).
I’m currently active in Over-30 and Over-40 outdoor and indoor leagues.
Throughout my playing career, I naturally took on leadership roles, helping organize
formations and strategies, which later transitioned into my passion for coaching and player
development.

Coaching Journey & Certifications

My coaching career began when I noticed opportunities for improvement in my son’s training
and decided to get involved. Frustrated with the lack of proper fundamentals and structure
practices, I approached the club director and took over a U9 group players, guiding them
through the winter futsal season. Seeing their rapid development reinforced my passion for
coaching and youth development.
I hold a USSF Grassroots certification and am currently awaiting the D License course in Idaho
to further advance my coaching education.

Coaching Philosophy & Approach

I believe that a having fun while implementing a strong technical foundation is critical in youth
development. My coaching emphasizes ball control, passing, first-touch mastery, and highpressure play. I teach my players to control the tempo, recover possession quickly, and make
intelligent decisions on and off the ball.
Beyond technical ability, I focus on teamwork, accountability, and tactical awareness. Soccer
today is different from when I grew up, we played at every opportunity, while today’s youth
often rely on structured training. My goal is to bridge that gap by creating an environment
where players develop a love for the game through both disciplined training and natural play.
While US Youth Soccer promotes a Play-Practice-Play model, I lean toward Practice-PracticePlay, ensuring players build the right habits, confidence, and game intelligence before
applying them in competition. I emphasize off-the-ball movement, game awareness, and
tactical decision-making under pressure, helping players think the game, not just play it.

What Motivates Me as a Coach

My biggest motivation is seeing young players grow and develop a deep understanding of the
game, including my own son. I am deeply committed to my players’ success and take great
pride in coaching a team that has transitioned from rec/academy soccer to competing with
and even beating competitive teams. That, to me, is proof that proper training, discipline, and
structure can elevate any player, regardless of where they start.
As I continue my coaching journey, I’m still actively playing on the amateur level, My goal is to
further develop as a coach, work with higher-level teams, and contribute to the long-term
growth of youth soccer. Coaching is my way of giving back to the game that has shaped me,
and I am passionate about helping young athletes reach their full potential.

Additional Experience:

Business Owner & Operator | D&L Garage Doors & Locksmith (2010–Present)
Founded and manage a successful multi-location business in Portland, OR & Boise, ID with
10+ employees. Licensed in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington.
Experienced in team leadership, employee development, and operational management.
Self-Taught in Online Marketing & Business Strategy, Skilled in website development, SEO,
lead generation, graphic design, and paid advertising.
Strong problem-solving and adaptability skills, constantly learning and improving