CANNONS FC Youth Soccer Club

Building the next generation of elite soccer players in Celina, Texas. One elite team per age group. Merit-based. A real pathway from U7 to professional.

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11
Age groups — U7 to U18
1
Elite team per age group
4
Competition levels
Unlimited pathway to the top
Est. 2026 · Celina TX

Built for Elite Development

Cannons FC is Celina's premier youth soccer club — dedicated to identifying and developing the best talent in the North Texas region. One elite squad per age group, selected purely on merit.

  • Merit-based selection

    Annual summer tryouts open to all. Every spot is earned — no guaranteed rosters, no B teams. The best talent wins a place.

  • World-class training philosophy

    Inspired by Argentine elite academies — daily rondos, unified playing identity, technique before tactics across all 12 age groups.

  • Real competition pathway

    District → State → Regional → National. We build players who compete at the highest level in Texas and beyond.

  • College and pro pathway

    ECNL and MLS Next pipeline. ODP identification. College recruiting exposure for U14 and older players.

Age Groups

Three phases, eleven teams — U7 through U18. Each phase builds on the one before.

Foundation — U7 to U10
Development — U11 to U14
Elite — U15 to U18

  • Under 7 · 1st Grade

    Coordination, ball mastery, gambeta. 4v4 competitive play begins.

    Foundation

  • Under 8 · 2nd Grade

    Rondo introduction, passing technique, small-sided game awareness.

    Foundation

  • Under 9 · 3rd Grade

    7v7 format, team shape introduction, first competitive league play.

    Foundation

  • Under 10 · 4th Grade

    7v7, positional identity begins, club playing system introduced.

    Foundation

  • Under 11 · 5th Grade

    9v9, role definition, pressing fundamentals. District competition.

    Development

  • Under 12 · 6th Grade

    9v9, team shape, tactical unit work, build-up from the back.

    Development

  • Under 13 · 7th Grade

    11v11, ECNL Regional League entry, state competition begins.

    Development

  • Under 14 · 8th Grade

    NPL / NewComp, video analysis, college recruitment exposure.

    Development

  • Under 15 · 9th Grade

    ECNL / MLS Next, national showcases, ODP identification.

    Elite

  • Under 17 · 11th Grade

    National competition, college commitments, youth national pipeline.

    Elite

  • Under 18 · 12th Grade

    Pro and college ready. Final development year on the national stage.

    Elite

Training Philosophy

Inspired by the Argentine elite academy model. One unified playing identity, from U7 all the way to U18.

"Before a child can understand the game, they must first master the ball. Technique is non-negotiable. Tactics can be taught. Touch is built — deliberately — from day one."

One system. Every age. Every session.

The single most important feature of elite Argentine training: every team plays the same style of football — defined by the Technical Director and never negotiated. A U7 player learns the same build-up geometry the U18 team uses. By the time they reach the top, the system is instinctive.

  • Merit-Only Selection

    Open tryouts every summer. No guaranteed spots. Rosters refreshed annually. Every player earns their place — no exceptions.

  • Unified Playing Identity

    No coach invents his own system. Every coach from U7 to U18 implements the club's defined playing model. Individual style is welcomed — the philosophy is not negotiable.

  • Technique Before Tactics

    No heavy tactical loading before U11. Ages U7–U10 are about ball mastery, rondos, and love of the game. Tactics can be taught. Touch must be built first.

  • Pro Pathway

    U15–U18 teams compete in ECNL / MLS Next. ODP identification from U13. College recruitment pipeline. A real pathway from U7 to professional.

Four methods. Every session. Every age.

These are not drills — they are a training language that every Cannons FC player learns from day one and carries all the way to U18. They appear in every session regardless of age group.

  • El Rondo — Daily

    Keep-away circles of varying sizes at every age, every session. Develops six qualities simultaneously: first touch, passing weight, positioning, decision speed, defensive intensity, and competitive mentality. Never a warm-up filler — a core training tool from age 7 to professional.

  • El Triángulo

    Every player must always have two passing options forming a triangle. Coaches ask mid-drill: "¿Dónde están tus triángulos?" Drilled from U9 onward — this is the geometric foundation of our combination play and explains Argentina's famous ability to maintain possession under pressure.

  • Fútbol Reducido

    5v5 in spaces as tight as 20m × 15m. Confinement forces rapid decision-making, tight technical execution, and physical dueling. The legendary Argentine comfort in tight spaces comes directly from years of small-sided games. The ball never stops — restarts are instant.

  • Los Congelados

    Coach blows a whistle mid-play and freezes everyone exactly where they stand. He walks among players and explains what he sees — a defensive line out of shape, a pressing trigger missed. Players experience the situation physically while receiving the explanation. Far more effective than a whiteboard.

What we look for — in order of priority

Argentine evaluators follow a strict priority order different from the US approach — producing the world's densest professional player pipeline. We apply the same lens at every Cannons FC tryout.

  1. 1st

    Technique & Touch

    Always first. A child with elite touch and average athleticism is chosen over an athletic child with average technique — every time. The belief: athleticism develops; touch is either there or it isn't. The gambeta (1v1 dribbling) is watched above all else.

  2. 2nd

    Game Intelligence

    Can the player read the game? Do they find solutions before they receive the ball? Argentine culture prizes the pícaro — the clever, unpredictable player who sees what others don't. The rondo exists specifically to expose this quality.

  3. 3rd

    Competitive Character — Garra

    Argentine football is physically and emotionally intense. We want players who respond to adversity by competing harder, not withdrawing. Garra (literally "claw") is the quality of fighting spirit. Coaches watch closely for how players react after a mistake or a bad tackle.

  4. 4th

    Physical Attributes

    Considered last. Physical training before age 14 risks injury and biases toward early developers who may not be the best technical prospects. We project future development — not just current size. Late developers with elite technique are never overlooked.

Training structure by phase

Technique before tactics. Tactics before physical. The Argentine sequence is deliberate — and non-negotiable. Each phase builds on the one before it.

Phase 1

Foundation

Ages 7–10 · Technique only

  • 15 min
    Individual work

    Every player has a ball. Juggling, touch sequences, balance. No standing in line — ever.

  • 30 min
    Technical circuit

    Rotating stations: first touch, passing, dribbling. Gambeta, cano, feints taught as fundamentals.

  • 20 min
    Rondo introduction

    Simple keep-away circles from age 8. Develops touch and decision speed through play.

  • 25 min
    Free small-sided game

    Minimal coaching intervention. The game teaches what coaches cannot. Coaches observe.

Phase 2

Development

Ages 11–14 · Technique + tactics

  • 20 min
    Positional rondos

    Zones replicate match situations. 7v3, 5v2 with specific areas. Cognitive demand rises.

  • 25 min
    Position-specific work

    Wingers train crossing, midfielders receive under pressure. Goalkeeper joins build-up.

  • 20 min
    Tactical unit work

    Defensive line, pressing triggers, build from the back — rehearsed as a unit.

  • 25 min
    Match + freeze

    Coach freezes play to explain moments in real context. Used sparingly — over-coaching kills instinct.

Phase 3

Elite

Ages 15–18 · Professional cycle

  • MD+1
    Recovery session

    Light work. Heavy match players do regeneration only. Active recovery prioritized.

  • MD+2
    Activation + video

    Technical rondos. Group video analysis of the previous match.

  • MD−2
    High intensity day

    Highest output. High-press drills, transitions, finishing sequences.

  • MD−1
    Set pieces + shape

    Shape walk-through, set pieces rehearsed, short sharp activation before match day.

Meet Our Coaches

Cannons FC is led by two co-founders with deep soccer roots — one from Argentina, one shaped by Eastern European coaching traditions. Together they bring a demanding, technique-first philosophy to every age group.

Maxi Herrera

Head Coach — U9  ·  Co-Founder

Former professional soccer player from Argentina with several years competing at the professional level. Maxi brings the Argentine elite mentality to every training session — technical precision, tactical intelligence, and relentless competitive spirit. As a dedicated coach and mentor, his mission is to give every player in Celina the same elite development pathway he experienced growing up in Argentine football.

USSF D License Pro Player — Argentina

Daniel Kravchenko

Head Coach — U8 Boys  ·  Co-Founder

Daniel grew up immersed in soccer, competing at a high level alongside future college and semi-professional players and training under demanding Ukrainian and Georgian coaches who emphasized technique, discipline, and tactical understanding. Drawing on experience across multiple clubs and roles, he focuses on developing each player's individual strengths while teaching intelligent team play. For the past three seasons he has coached U8 boys in Celina, building a reputation for creating confident, skilled young players who understand the game and love competing.

USSF D License Eastern European School

Open Tryouts

Is your kid the best player in the region? Come prove it. Season 2026–27 tryouts are open to all — free to attend, merit-based selection.

Season 2026–27 · Open Tryouts

JUNE 2 & 3
2026

Old Celina Park · 6:00 – 8:00 PM both days · Free to attend

June 2 · Monday Register — U7 ↗ 1st Grade · 6:00 – 8:00 PM June 3 · Tuesday Register — U8 & U9 ↗ 2nd Grade & 3rd Grade · 6:00 – 8:00 PM

  • Location

    Old Celina Park
    12670 FM 428
    Celina, TX 75009

  • Schedule

    — U7
    — U8 & U9
    6:00 – 8:00 PM

  • What to bring

    Soccer cleats
    Shin guards
    Water bottle

  • Good to know

    Free to attend
    Arrive 15 min early
    Merit-based selection

Program Fees

Monthly dues kept lean by design — jerseys, league fees, training fields, and coaching are all included. No hidden costs.

Included in every plan

  • Full Jersey Kit Home & away jerseys, shorts, and socks — included, no extra charge
  • Competitive League Fall & spring league registration fees covered for both seasons
  • Training Fields All field rental and facility costs for every training session
  • Coach Fee Full coaching staff compensation — no separate coach fee ever
Phase 1

Foundation

U7 · U8 · U9 · U10
$ 150
per month  ·  $1,800/year
  • ✓ Jersey kit included
  • ✓ Fall & spring league fees
  • ✓ Training fields covered
  • ✓ Full coaching staff
  • ✓ 12 players per team
  • ✓ 4v4 → 7v7 format
  • ✓ Technical mastery focus
  • ✓ District / local competition
  • ✓ Daily rondo training
Phase 2

Development

U11 · U12 · U13 · U14
$ 200
per month  ·  $2,400/year
  • ✓ Jersey kit included
  • ✓ Fall & spring league fees
  • ✓ Training fields covered
  • ✓ Full coaching staff
  • ✓ 12 players per team
  • ✓ 9v9 → 11v11 format
  • ✓ Tactical identity introduced
  • ✓ State / NewComp competition
  • ✓ ODP identification (U13+)
Phase 3

Elite

U15 · U16 · U17 · U18
$ 250
per month  ·  $3,000/year
  • ✓ Jersey kit included
  • ✓ Fall & spring league fees
  • ✓ Training fields covered
  • ✓ Full coaching staff
  • ✓ 12 players per team
  • ✓ 11v11 full format
  • ✓ ECNL / MLS Next competition
  • ✓ College recruitment pipeline
  • ✓ Pro pathway support

All fees are paid monthly. Jerseys, fall & spring league, training fields, and coaching are all included — no hidden costs. Tryouts are free to attend. Spots are merit-based — no guaranteed rosters.

News & Events

Tournament results, match reports, training milestones, and everything happening inside Cannons FC.

  • 🏆 Tournament

    Tournament Records

    Results, standings, and highlights from every tournament your teams compete in — updated after each event.

    Coming soon · Add your first result
  • ⚽ Match Report

    Game History

    Full match history per team — scores, goal scorers, standout moments. A living record of every Cannons FC game played.

    Coming soon · Add your first match
  • 🎯 Training

    Training Sessions

    Session recaps, drill spotlights, and player development milestones — tracking progress from first touch to elite level.

    Coming soon · Log your first session
  • 📣 Club News

    Club Announcements

    Schedule changes, roster updates, new partnerships, and everything happening behind the scenes at Cannons FC.

    Coming soon · Post your first update

Want to submit a match result, training recap, or club update?

Get in Touch

Contact Us

Questions about tryouts, the program, or your player's development pathway? We're here to help.

  • Training location

    Old Celina Park
    12670 FM 428, Celina, TX 75009

  • Next tryouts

    & · 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Old Celina Park · 12670 FM 428, Celina, TX 75009