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About Us

Welcome to Cantera Futbol, an organization dedicated to bringing the highest standard and most progressive training methods from some of Spain's top youth academies. Our mission is to help educate young soccer players in a unique environment and methodology. The idea is to teach games technical and tactical aspects in a way that is easy for the player to understand and apply. The Cantera method also works with a holistic approach in terms of character development as a key pillar of its philosophy. In addition, we provide a unique pathway for players looking to continue their coaching education in Spain. We invite you to contact us if want to know more about our services.
Cantera more than futbol...

Philosophy

Soccer creates a unique forum to help children develop a strong character and sense of independent thinking. Our training method encourages them to make decisions and come to conclusions based on guided discovery.
We also keep our parents informed of the content and objectives of our training to empower them to learn the method and reinforce it when they watch their children play. This creates a powerful "team" between the player, coach and, most important, parents which is needed in order to create a very positive environment for the child to learn the game. Our coaches are trained in the guided discovery method, encouraging the player to be independent and empowered through the process of asking and answering questions. Our goal is for the player to develop a growth mindset, which will help them have success on and off the field.

Objectives

Cantera Futbol will look to create a positive learning environment with an emphasis on education, organization and leadership. We offer each player the opportunity to develop a passion for the game with a focus on creativity, technical confidence and tactical understanding, as well as being part of an environment where personal positive character development concepts are being constantly developed and influenced.

Meet the Directors

Mark Lugris
Technical Director Mark Lugris has a wide range of coaching experience for more than 20 years. As a Puerto Rican Soccer Hall of Fame inductee (2014), Mark's distinguished playing career is the cornerstone of his soccer education. As ENY State Champion with Hicksville Americans and two-time NY City and State Champion at Holy Cross High school in Queens. Mark was offered a scholarship to Fordham University (78-82).
After 4 successful years at Fordham University, Mark was the 20th pick in the 1982 NASL draft by the NY Cosmos. His professional playing career spanned 12 years with stops Houston, Columbus, MISL Champion Dallas Sidekicks, Toronto and Spain. Mark also played internationally representing Puerto Rico in 3 World Cups - (90-94-98) and 5 Caribbean Cups (92-93-95-97-99) reaching the finals in 1993 and achieving PRNT highest ever a FIFA ranking of 93rd in the world.
As a result of these accomplishments, Mark was inducted into the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame and named NY City Soccer Gala Honoree (2014) Through his wealth of playing experience, Mark was exposed to many different coaching philosophies and management styles. He continues his soccer education by visiting top academies in Europe like Athletic de Bilbao and Futbol Club Barcelona and bases his methodology on the Royal Spanish Football Federations principles of how to teach the game to young players. Mark continues to strive to transfer his wealth of soccer experience to all players and coaches.

Affiliates

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