By Aaron Krepel

TSF ACADEMY IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE APPOINTMENT OF JEFF ZAUN AS THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR. 

Jeff will work with both Lee Bakewell (Boys DoC) and Patrick O’Connor (Girls DoC) to fine-tune and manage the coaching and future pathway structure for the club. Using his knowledge of professional academy systems, Zaun will be tasked with improving the club’s current curriculum to offer the best methods in developing our youth players as well as educating the staff and guiding them in their professional development.

Zaun comes to TSF Academy as a former professional player for both the Metro Stars alongside Tim Howard, Tab Ramos, Tony Meola and Alexi Lalas, before a brief stay with Chicago Fire under Bob Bradley.

Following his retirement from professional soccer, Zaun went on to become the Rutgers University Assistant Head Soccer Coach, while taking on a role as a scout with the United States Soccer Federation. Zaun’s scouting responsibilities extended beyond players, as he was tasked with also sourcing the best coaches and referees in the region. 

Zaun then took on a role with the New York Red Bull Soccer Academy exhibiting his skills in both coaching and recruiting. While working with the club, Zaun’s U19 team finished 15-0 and ranked first in the country, seeing their top player, Ben Mines eventually sign with the first team. Zaun has seen a total of twelve of his Red Bull recruits make the first team, including US National team players Matt Miazga, Tim Weah and Tyler Adams, a testament to a career of hard work and dedication on and off the field.

In January 2018, Zaun was appointed Director of Youth Scouting for the Red Bull Soccer Academy, building an extensive player evaluation system for the Northeast region while coordinating all scouting efforts in the area.

When asked, Zaun described the opportunity with TSF Academy as, “a perfect fit. The club’s commitment to developing players; its coaches; and the facilities and programs it offers are at the forefront of the youth soccer community in New Jersey. I look forward to being a part of that commitment to excellence and sharing my experience with the clubs coaches, families and players. After speaking with the club about the direction they wanted to go I was excited about the opportunity to work alongside the current management team to help execute on our shared vision for TSF.”

“Honestly, we’ve had some major challenges over the past 12 months, but they are a learning tool for all of us.  We will always benefit from these experiences and challenges. We will look to learn from them and use those to make the club stronger.  Jeff is the perfect person for this job.  His demeanor, experience, and professionalism will definitely help TSF return to its roots in developing young coaches and players better than any other club out there,” added Bakewell.

Jeff Zaun will debut in his TSF blue with immediate effect.  Please welcome him to the TSF family.