Academy Staff

Dale Schilly, Academy Director

Local coach and soccer instructor Dale Schilly joins St. Louis CITY SC as Academy Director after spending the last 28 years in various roles within the local soccer landscape, establishing programs for youth teams and laying the foundation for player development models.

Schilly brings significant experience to his new role and will be responsible for executing the club’s goal of becoming a top nationally recognized academy program that develops well-rounded players at the youth levels. Additionally, Schilly will focus on implementing the club’s sporting philosophy to the academy coaching staff ensuring that St. Louis CITY’s playing style is maintained throughout the academy program.

Prior to joining St. Louis CITY SC, Schilly was the technical director and vice president of local club St. Louis Scott Gallagher, where he led the charge in the management of the club, developing coaching education and mentoring programs for both new and experienced coaches. He was also the academy director of the Saint Louis FC Academy and played a major role in helping the club transition to the MLS NEXT league.

John Miglarese, U21 Head Coach

John Miglarese joins St. Louis CITY SC as the U21 Head Coach, bringing over 20 years of experience to his new role with the club. Miglarese will oversee the U-21 team that will compete in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). He will play an important role in ensuring the continuity of player development from the youth level to the senior team.

Miglarese started his coaching career as an intern assistant coach at Milligan College before expanding his experience at other collegiate teams including Georgia Southern University, Gardner Webb University, John Brown University, King University and UNC Pembroke. In 2014, he joined USL League Two side Southern West Virginia King’s Warriors before taking on the role of head coach and technical director for USL League One team Tormenta FC. Prior to joining St. Louis CITY SC, he served as the U-17 and U-19 Boys Academy Head Coach at Chattanooga Red Wolves as well as the USL Academy Director.

Luis Swisher, U21 Assistant Coach

Luis Swisher is one of St. Louis CITY SC’s academy assistant coaches. With strong ties to the St. Louis youth soccer landscape, Swisher adds an important layer of player identification and talent development within the academy. Additionally, Swisher will be responsible for supporting the sporting director and the academy’s head coach in creating St. Louis CITY’s development training programs where players can grow on and off the field.

In 2012, Swisher graduated from ESI School of Management, located in Guatemala, with a Master’s in Business Administration. Swisher’s professional playing career began with the Aurora Futbol Club in Guatemala, which eventually led to stints with various clubs in Europe. In 2013, he began his coaching career in Guatemala at the University of San Carlos leading to other coaching experiences in the U.S. with various academy teams, most recently at Saint Louis FC as head coach.

David Critchley, U17 Head Coach

David Critchley is St. Louis CITY SC Academy's U-17 Head Coach. He will lead the team in the MLS NEXT league, guiding players and working with the other Academy coaches to ensure the continuity of player development from the youth level to the senior team.

Critchley started his career as a collegiate coach at Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 2012, where he helped to develop training and exercise programs. In 2015, Critchley graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University with a Master’s in Marketing. Most recently he was the technical director of Lou Fusz Athletic, where he led the organization’s technical operations by creating innovative solutions for sporting and administrative challenges.

Sean Reynolds, U17 Assistant Coach

Sean Reynolds joins St. Louis CITY SC as a U17 Assistant Coach. Reynolds will use his professional playing and coaching experience to assist Head Coach David Critchley in creating training programs where players can grow on and off the field.

Reynolds played four years of college soccer at the University of West Florida and earned the conference Player of the Year award during his senior season. In 2013, he signed for USL expansion club VSI Tampa Bay FC and featured in 17 games while scoring one goal as a defender. He went on to play for Icelandic team FH Hafnarfjarðar, before moving to the USL to play for Louisville City FC and local club Saint Louis FC. Over the past five years, Reynolds has worked as a coach with various soccer programs including Fall City Soccer Club, Saint Louis Scott Gallagher and Bay Oaks United.

Kyle Riebeling, U17 & U15 Assistant Coach

Kyle Riebeling joins St. Louis CITY SC as a U-17 and U-15 assistant coach. His new role involves supporting both David Critchley and Anthony Wallace in creating a competitive environment as the teams compete within the MLS NEXT league.

Riebeling’s coaching career started at Columbia High School where he served as the assistant boys and girls coach from 2009 to 2013. After his tenure with Columbia High School, Riebeling joined St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois, holding various roles which included ECNL Boys Director and Academy Coach during his nine-year stint.

Shea Whelan, U16 & U17 Assistant 

Shea Whelan joins St. Louis CITY SC as a U-16 and U-14 assistant coach. His new role involves supporting both David Critchley and Anthony Wallace in creating a competitive environment as the teams compete within the MLS NEXT league.

Following an extensive playing career at the semi-pro level, Whelan coached various youth teams in California before moving to Missouri with Saint Louis Scott Gallagher and Washington University where he served as an Assistant Coach, primarily focused on player development.

Anthony Wallace, U15 Head Coach

Anthony Wallace joins St. Louis CITY SC as the U-15 Head Coach. Wallace specializes in team development, bringing a lifetime of experience as both a former player and coach within various soccer leagues locally.

A forward-thinker with a proven record, Wallace had a 10-year playing professional career, featuring for MLS clubs FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids and New York Red Bulls. Wallace was also a member of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) setup, playing regularly for the U-17 and U-20 team before earning a senior cap in 2011.

As a coach, Wallace spearheaded various teams in Washington including Hawks SC, Eastern Washington Surf SC and Washington State University Women’s Soccer. In January 2022, Wallace was named U-15 USMNT Assistant Coach where he was responsible for facilitating training sessions and pre-match operations.

Megan McCormick, U14 Head Coach

Megan McCormick joins St. Louis CITY SC as the club’s U-14 Academy Head Coach. McCormick brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the club, using her playing and coaching experience to add a unique layer of player development to the academy.

McCormick is highly respected across the U.S. soccer landscape and has worked with various organizations for the past 15 years. In her playing days, she was a member of the Ball State University women’s club soccer team and also served as its president and coach. After her time at Ball State, she went on to play in the Women’s Premier Soccer League with Indiana United for three seasons.

Her coaching career began in 2007 working in high school and club environments. In 2012, she joined DePauw University as an assistant coach for the women’s team before becoming the head coach of the program two years later. McCormick spent several years working for the U.S. Soccer Federation in various capacities before joining the Colorado Rush as the director of coaching for the girl's academy and coach developer for Rush Soccer. In August 2021, McCormick became the Director of Player Development at the Kansas City Scott Gallagher, where she oversaw player development across both genders in the club while leading two ECNL Regional League teams.

Tim Kelly, Academy Goalkeeper Coach

Highly respected local coach Tim Kelly is named as St. Louis CITY SC academy’s goalkeeper coach. Kelly has years of experience as both a player and coach and will be responsible for implementing training programs geared towards developing goalkeepers within St. Louis CITY’s academy. Additionally, Kelly will produce individual progress reviews and development plans for academy goalkeepers, improving players in all aspects of the game.

Kelly played professionally for the Kansas City Wizards in 1997 and the Arizona Sahuaros in 1998. Over the past few years, Kelly has worked with various local organizations, including Saint Louis University, Lindenwood University and St. Louis Athletic Center. His most recent role as director of goalkeeping for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club allowed him to train and develop some of St. Louis’ top goalkeepers.

Mark Pais, Assistant Academy Goalkeeper Coach

Mark Pais is one of St. Louis CITY SC’s academy goalkeeper coaches, after previously joining the club as a strength and conditioning coach in fall 2021. Within his new role, Pais will assist Tim Kelly in implementing training programs geared towards developing the club’s academy goalkeepers. Additionally, he will assist the strength and conditioning coaches with designing and implementing performance programs for the club’s goalkeepers.

At the collegiate level, Pais played for Saint Louis University and the University of Tulsa men’s soccer programs. Following his career as a student-athlete, Pais’ professional career began in the USL Championship with Saint Louis FC before joining Toronto FC in the MLS. In 2018, he joined Fresno FC in the USL Championships before moving to Miami FC, helping the club to their 2019 NPSL Championship.

Pais had coaching stints with Saint Louis University, University of Tulsa and the Athletic Republic.

Charles Renken, Academy Specialist Coach

Charles Renken works within the St. Louis CITY SC Academy as a specialist coach, after previously joining the club as a sporting consultant in fall 2020. Within his role, Renken will provide individual training for players in various positions, improving their technique and positional awareness. Additionally, he will assist the club by developing scouting networks and building relationships within the local soccer community.

Renken played professional soccer for nine years, both in the U.S. and internationally. Throughout his national professional playing career, Renken played for Portland Timbers, Arizona United, Saint Louis FC and Seattle Sounders. Over the past five years, Renken has worked as a coach with various local soccer programs including Washington University, Club Atletico and St. Louis Scott Gallagher.