Philosophy of Yuri Lavrynenko Soccer
Our philosophy for coaching is based upon the belief that the game of soccer is both challenging and exciting. We believe that the desire to continuously learn about the game is shown through the attitude of instructors, not just the players. For a positive learning experience, we will create a balance between the excitement of the game and the standards of performance. Our sessions are developed to capture interest, stimulate thinking and motivate all players to their highest level of performance. We will maintain a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment that facilitates the advancement of the players' skill.
Yuri Lavrynenko Soccer Coaching Methodology
The YLS coaching methodology is derived from an eclectic mix of training that Yuri went through during his playing career. At each stop in his career, Yuri was able to experience, observe and draw from some of the most successful coaching theories. The most influential were learned at Dynamo Kyiv Youth Academy, Indiana University, Chicago Fire, Rochester Rhinos and Montreal Impact.
About Yuri
Career Highlights
Early Years
Coming to America
College Years
Professional Career
Personal
- Gates Chili High School - State Co-Champion, Monroe County Player of the Year, All-State and All Greater Rochester honors
- Indiana University - 2 time NCAA Champion, All American, Final Four MVP, All Big-Ten
- Chicago Fire - US Open Cup Champion, MLS Cup finalist
- Rochester Rhinos - Divisional Champion
- Montreal Impact - A-League Champion
Yuri was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and remembers watching a soccer game while sitting on his father's lap at the age of 4. That memory is one of many that sums up his father's prominent role in developing his son's passion for the game.
At the age of 7 Yuri tried out for the '77 team of the Dynamo Kyiv Youth Academy and was selected out of over 1000 players.In 1990 Yuri's Dynamo team played in a tournament in Italy where two teams from Rochester were also playing. The Rochester teams then decided to host a tournament to which they invited the Dynamo team. Many American families hosted the foreign players during the tournament and enjoyed them so much they requested the same players when they returned to Rochester the following year for a month of training and exhibition games. Some of the families invited some of the players to stay with them and attend school. It was an opportunity that Yuri took advantage of and at the age of 14 he moved to Chili in January of 1992.
Yuri attended Gates Chili High School and as a freshman joined the Varsity soccer team. In those four years the team won the Section V championship three times, went to the state Final Four three times and were state co-champions in 1995. Yuri's personal rewards included Monroe County Player of the Year honors and multiple All-State and All Greater Rochester selections. Yuri finished his high school career as the all time assists leader for Monroe County and the all time points leader for Gates Chili.College Years - Indiana University
Yuri was recruited by many Division I colleges but ended up choosing, what is arguably the best soccer school in the country, Indiana University. Under the guidance of a coaching staff that consisted of legendary coach Jerry Yeagley, and his assistants Mike Freitag and John Trask, Yuri continued to develop his soccer pedigree. Coach Yeagley has since retired as the winningest coach in Division I history and a Hall of Fame member. Coach Freitag has taken over the tradition of excellence at Indiana and has since won another national championship. Coach Trask, after a few years as an assistant in MLS, has quickly built a powerhouse program at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
It is no surprise that under such exceptional tutelage Yuri was able to lead the team to 2 NCAA titles while scoring the game winning goal in each of the National Finals. The Big Ten title was an expectation at Indiana as Yuri never lost a Big Ten match in four years of competition. Yuri ended his college career with numerous all time scoring records including being second on the all time assists leader board at Indiana University.
Yuri also excelled in the classroom earning multiple Academic All Big Ten honors and graduating from IU in three and a half years with a major in Liberal Arts and a minor in General Business.
Professional Career
Yuri was signed by MLS in January of 2000 and later was drafted by the Chicago Fire. While with Chicago Yuri won the US Open Cup and was an MLS finalist participant. The current US Men's National Team coach, Bob Bradley, was Yuri's coach during his time with the Fire. Yuri credits training and playing with players such as Hristo Stoitchkov ('94 World Player of the Year) and Peter Novak (BundesLiga Player of the Year) for his development at the professional level.
In May of 2001 Yuri signed with the Milwaukee Rampage and spent the rest of the season there before returning home to Rochester in 2002 where he signed with the Rhinos. While at Rochester Yuri helped the team earn two divisional championships.
In the summer of 2004 Yuri signed with the Montreal Impact where he won the A-League Championship that same season.
Yuri serves as the director of coaching for Webster Soccer Association where he is responsible for selecting over 40 coaches, running tryouts for the Travel Program, and training WSA coaches through a series of monthly coaches sessions covering tactics, techniques, field play and conditioning. Yuri also implements technical player development plans during his field sessions with the WSA teams.
In 2004 Yuri earned an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology and was hired as an adjunct professor at St. John Fisher College in 2006.
Currently Yuri and his wife, Meghan, live in Greece with their two children Isa (Isabella) and Vladik (Vladimir).