Unlock Your Potential

Start with Technique

Technical ability is the foundation of soccer. Without it, young players struggle as the game gets faster and more competitive.

Most team environments focus on tactics and winning. Even with great coaches, players don’t get the 1on1 attention needed to build a strong technical foundation. That’s where we come in.

We teach your child the core skills—dribbling, first touch, receiving, passing, finishing, and defending—so they can play with confidence and make smarter decisions on the field.

Our structured methodology ensures your child develops the right skills at the right time—so they build a strong foundation and don’t fall behind.

The earlier they develop these skills, the more confident, creative, and adaptable they become—and the greater their impact on the game.

"Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is."

Johan Cruyff

The 104 Technical Elements

We follow a structured methodology inspired by the Croatian Football Federation's proven framework that ensures young players develop the right skills at the right time—building the foundation for long-term success.

Juggling

Enhance first touch and coordination using your laces, thighs, inside/outside foot, and head to improve balance and ball control.

Passing

Perfect short and long passes, through balls, lofted passes, and backspin techniques for accuracy and smart distribution.

Striking the Ball

Finish with precision—volleys, half-volleys, and clean strikes from the air and ground with accuracy and power.

Defending

Improve body positioning, tackling, intercepting, shielding, and aerial duels to win back possession and apply pressure.

Dribbling

Develop control and speed using the laces, inside, outside, and sole of your foot to navigate tight spaces and keep possession.

Changes of Direction

Execute quick turns with different surfaces of your foot, including step-overs and explosive shifts to evade defenders.

Fakes & Feints

Beat defenders with body feints, deceptive movements, and skill moves to create space and break through defensive lines.

Receiving & Turning

Control the ball on the ground, from the air, and off the bounce with different surfaces to escape pressure and play with confidence.

Master the Fundamentals

True player development starts with the basics. Our training helps your child refine their technique, sharpen their instincts, and grow into a more complete player.

Methodical Development

We introduce your child to techniques progressively, focusing on ball control early and refining decision-making, positioning, and execution as they grow—ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Focused Training

Every session has a purpose. We teach skills that translate into real-game situations and encourage your child to train at home, reinforcing what they learn and accelerating their progress.

Core Skills

We ensure your child develops the core foundations—dribbling, first touch, receiving, passing, finishing, and defending—so they can play with confidence at any level.

Team Impact

No matter where your child plays—club, futsal, or other sports—our training builds individual skills that make them more effective in any team environment.

Meet Coach Manu

Soccer has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Italy, we played calcio everywhere—on the beach, in the streets, and in the parks.

When I moved to the Pacific Northwest as a teenager, I carried my love for the game with me, deepening my understanding of the sport as I grew. That passion led me to play at the semi-pro level and eventually coach as a way to give back. I still lace up my boots every chance I get—outdoor, indoor, futsal—wherever the game takes me.

As a father of three, I started by teaching my own kids the fundamentals through play—focusing on technique, ball control, and decision-making. Over time, I discovered the Croatian Football Federation’s methodology and realized I had been intuitively following a similarly structured progression and approach. Parents noticed the progress, more kids joined, and that’s how Fútbol Fundamentals was born.

My coaching philosophy is simple: focus on the fundamentals. The game itself is simple, but playing it well takes years of practice, patience, and perseverance. Young players must master the basics—dribbling, first touch, receiving, passing, defending, finishing—before they can truly thrive in competitive environments. That’s why I take a long-term approach, ensuring kids develop the skills that will serve them at every stage of their soccer journey.

In addition to Fútbol Fundamentals, I’m the head coach of the 2015 ADF Boys team. I also volunteer my time helping grow Portland’s youth soccer pickup community, creating more opportunities for kids to play, learn, and love the game.

It was a long drive to get to Fútbol Fundamentals, but every week we felt like it was worth it. Our son got tons of great coaching, had a range of different activities that kept him engaged and interested, and got the touches he needs to keep improving. Coach Manu clearly loves working with the kids, and they respond well to him. If your kid is serious about soccer, this is the training you want.

Andrew Freeman

★★★★★

★★★★★

Manu does an amazing job at supporting the kids he coaches so that they can develop into talented and resilient players and people, all while creating a fun environment for his players. I've played soccer with Manu for over a decade, and over the past year have been attending his practices to help with goalkeeper training. I have been blown away by the level of instruction Manu provides at his practices.

He prioritizes long-term technical growth and development rather than a results-first style that was common when I was a youth player (i.e. putting the biggest/strongest/fastest players in a couple key positions and instructing the entire team to rely on those few players to win matches). Players rotated positions throughout the season so that they developed well-rounded skills. I was very impressed by the style of play of the team . Players were encouraged to be creative with the ball and they consistently trusted their teammates with the ball across every position on the field. I saw his team score the type of dynamic back-to-front 10+ pass goals that get shared on Instagram from high level international youth academies. Soccer is a big time commitment for parents, not just kids, but I can confidently say that the quality of play will be more entertaining to watch as a spectator than most at a youth level.

I'll conclude with what in my opinion is the most important part of youth sport--whether the kids are having fun. Every practice and game I attended the players absolutely were. Manu uses competitive but creative mini games to teach players different skills rather than just having them perform solo drills over and over. Players were building technical skills but were also getting to laugh, joke, and compete with one another throughout the sessions. More times than I could count, players wanted to stay and keep practicing past the alotted time which is a great sign about how much they enjoyed the environment Manu creates at his sessions. I would highly recommend Futbol Fundamentals and Manu as a trainer/coach to anyone looking for high level youth coaching to build a foundation a player can use throughout their soccer playing career in any competitive environment at any position.

Jules Bailey

My son has been training with Manu at Fútbol Fundamentals, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. Manu's approach to coaching is fantastic. He focuses on building a strong foundation in the fundamentals, which is crucial for long-term development. What's even better is that he balances this with giving the players the freedom to be creative and express themselves on the field. This combination has really helped my son's confidence grow significantly.

Manu makes the training sessions fun and engaging for the kids, which keeps them motivated and excited to learn. At the same time, he fosters a competitive environment. The "King of the Court" challenges are a great example of this, and the high level of talent Manu attracts means the competition is always strong. This provides invaluable experience for all the players, pushing them to improve and perform at their best.

We've seen a real difference in my son's skills and his overall enjoyment of the game since he started training with Fútbol Fundamentals. I highly recommend Manu and his program to any young soccer player looking to improve their game and have a great time doing it. Whether your child is just starting out or already has some experience, Futbol Fundamentals provides a supportive and challenging environment where they can thrive.

★★★★★

Taryn Butterfield

If you’re a parent looking for top-notch training to help your player build confidence and take their skills to the next level, I highly recommend Coach Manu. His training programs provide the perfect balance of technical development, game awareness, and fast-paced play—exactly what young players need to grow and succeed.

My sons have participated in his trainings, indoor pickup tournaments and summer tournament teams, and they have absolutely loved every experience! Coach Manu has a fantastic ability to connect with young players- he communicates clearly, ensures players get plenty of touches on the ball, and creates a fun yet competitive atmosphere that keeps them engaged and improving.

★★★★★

Lindsey Duncan

Thank you, Coach Manu!

Coach Manu is an incredible coach! My kids, Zaki and Leila, absolutely love training with him. He has not only helped them improve their skills but has also built their confidence and passion for the game. His patience, dedication, and ability to connect with the kids make all the difference.

We truly appreciate his hard work and the positive impact he has on our children. Thank you, Coach Manu, for everything you do! Highly recommend him to anyone looking for a great coach.

★★★★★

Deborah Gyasi-Nimako