St. Louis CITY SC Academy announced its coaching and support staff for the 2026-27 MLS NEXT season, featuring a large core of returning leadership, two new additions to the coaching staff, and two new members of support staff.
“We’re thrilled to add several talented coaches to our academy staff, all who bring valuable experience and a strong background in soccer,” said Academy Director Dale Schilly. “Their expertise of the game will strengthen the competitive environment within our academy and play an important role in helping our academy players succeed.”
Jeremi Abonnel joins CITY SC as an assistant coach for the U-15 team, working alongside head coach Santiago Castillo. Originally from Aix-en-Provence, France, Abonnel spent three seasons with Saint Louis University, where he earned Atlantic 10 Goalkeeper of the Year honors in both 2024 and 2025 after being named Second-Team All-Conference in 2-23. In 2025, Abonnel helped SLU win the A-10 regular-season and tournament championship to advance to the program’s first NCAA College Cup since 1997. Abonnel spent time in the AS Monaco Academy before beginning his collegiate career at Mid-America Christian University.
Jack Mathis joins as head coach of the U-16 team, coaching alongside Larsen Hackworth. Most recently, Mathis served as an assistant coach for the men’s soccer program at Washington University in St. Louis. Before joining WashU, he served as the U-15 MLS head coach and college liaison for the Barca Residency Academy from March 2023 to May 2024. He previously served as the academy’s U-19 pre-academy head coach and U-15 MLS NEXT assistant coach. Mathis also spent four seasons as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I side Northern Illinois University, and held coaching roles at Northern Illinois Football Club, Stevenson University, Saint Louis FC U-23, and St. Louis Scott Gallagher. Additionally, Mathis played his collegiate career at Drury University and played professionally for USL side Saint Louis FC in 2015.
Joining the support staff are Garrett Dieckhaus and Ross Wilson as the academy’s performance coaches.
The full coaching staff is listed below:
Academy Director – Dale Schilly
U18 Head Coach – Luis Swisher
U18 Assistant Coach – Charles Renken
U16 Head Coach – Jack Mathis
U16 Assistant Coach – Larsen Hackworth
U15 Head Coach – Santiago Castillo
U15 Assistant Coach – Jeremi Abonnel
U14 Head Coach – Kyle Riebeling
Director of Player Pathway/U14 Assistant Coach – Megan McCormick
Video Analyst – Tristan Rafanello
Academy Fitness Coach – Ross Wilson
Academy Fitness Coach – Garrett Dieckhaus
Goalkeeper Coach – Michael Ritterbeck
Goalkeeper Coach – Mark Pais
Athletic Trainer – Sandy Roy
Athletic Trainer – Marisa Visocchi
Head Talent Identification – Shawn Hewitt
Academy Player Relations Manager – Cara Schubbe
Equipment Manager – Aidan Clemenson
Assistant Operations/Equipment Manager – Cass Ferguson
Academic Success Coach – Jeff Vetter
