Mikey Varas, a San Francisco native, has been appointed as the interim head coach of the U.S. men’s national team for the upcoming September matches against Canada and New Zealand. The 39-year-old Varas previously served as the head coach of the U.S. under-20 team, leading it to a Concacaf U-20 championship in 2022. However, he was unable to replicate that success in the 2023 U-20 World Cup, where the U.S. was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Varas has experience as an assistant coach for FC Dallas and has a strong background in coaching youth teams, being named the U.S. Soccer Development Academy West Conference U-14 Coach of the Year in 2017.
Varas has emphasized the importance of developing fundamental motor skills in young players, particularly focusing on the pre-puberty age group. He attributes his coaching philosophy to a professor he worked with who stressed the significance of training players from a psychomotor and coordination perspective at a young age. Varas believes that the decline in “street football” and unsupervised activities for kids has led to deficiencies in basic motor skills. He advocates for children to engage in a variety of sports in unstructured settings to enhance their coordination abilities, citing the adaptability gained by those who participate in multiple physical activities during their youth.
In his interview with Glenn Crooks, Varas discussed his views on the importance of developing young players’ motor skills and coordination abilities, drawing on his own experiences as a player at the University of San Francisco and with CD Santiago Wanderers in Chile. He emphasized the need for a holistic approach to training young athletes, integrating a diverse range of activities to promote physical development. Varas believes that players who engage in unstructured sports and activities during their formative years have a significant advantage in terms of coordination and adaptability.
Despite his focus on youth development, Varas has been tasked with leading the U.S. men’s national team on an interim basis following the dismissal of longtime head coach Gregg Berhalter in the wake of a disappointing performance at the 2024 Copa América. Varas will have the opportunity to showcase his leadership skills and coaching acumen when the U.S. faces Canada and New Zealand in friendly matches in September. While a search for a permanent coach is ongoing, Varas could be considered for the role based on his previous success with youth teams and his coaching philosophy centered on fundamental motor skill development.
Varas’ appointment as the interim head coach of the U.S. men’s national team comes at a critical juncture, with the team looking to rebound from a heavy defeat at the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics. With Varas at the helm, the U.S. will aim to put in strong performances against Canada and New Zealand to build momentum heading into future competitions. His experience coaching youth teams and his dedication to developing fundamental motor skills in young players could inform his approach to leading the national team and cultivating a new generation of talented athletes. As Varas steps into this interim role, he brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on player development that could shape the future direction of the U.S. men’s national team.
