About Us
Soccer Director
PTAA Soccer Director Kelly Phipps brings over 20 years of experience in the soccer world. He grew up playing for the Dallas Texans, where he won multiple Classic D1 League titles and state and regional championships in U14, U17, U18, and U19. Kelly also had a brief professional playing career and has trained top athletes at the high school, college, professional, and Olympic levels.
Coach Sean Gordon
Coaching Philosophy and Bio
Global Influence: My time abroad shaped a holistic approach to development—valuing both the street and the system, merging joy with structure. My own experience aside, all the literature and data suggest a consistency of approach across all true footballing cultures. The likes of Cruyff and Arsene Wenger confirm many of my convictions about technique. Technique is the foundation of a player. Technique is what separates good from great. You may have the ability to see a pass, the tactical awareness to know where to go next but execution in under pressure is a different thing entirely. Being comfortable with the ball, having an intimate connection with the ball is what allows a player to exude confidence and composure. This comes from truly mastering technique. My time abroad both playing and observing has taught me that technique can be taught in both formal and informal environments. Methodologies abound but one constant remains key, passion drives proficiency. You don’t gain elite level technique without a corresponding depth of love for the game and so I believe that it is the coach's responsibility to foster an atmosphere that is both fun and functional.
Experience
Started playing overseas from 2006 to 2009 in countries like France, Romania, Jamaica, Sweden, and Malta after graduating high school. From 2009 to 2011, began coaching with Hutto Gunners under an ex-Watford pro before the club merged with Austin Texans. Returned to playing in Sweden and Malta from 2011 to 2013, embracing international football culture and philosophy. Transitioned back to coaching in 2013 by joining Liverpool FC America in the USA. In 2014 and 2015, coached at One World under Spanish Director Daniel Benito and contributed to launching FC Barcelona Escola in Austin/Pflugerville. Supported the opening of The Soccer Hub indoor facility in 2015-2016, leading curriculum design and programming. From 2016 to 2021, trained independently with Footwork Labs and worked as a contracted technical trainer for Austin-area clubs, helping train eight players who were selected for the Austin FC MLS Academy. Most recently, moved to Dallas in 2022 and worked with Lethal Weapons Futsal and Allegiance Academy/DKSC through 2023.3: Moved to Dallas; worked with Lethal Weapons Futsal and Allegiance Academy /DKSC