User:Redgummybears/Brendan Burke (soccer)

Brendan Burke is an American soccer player, born on November 12, and coach from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. He played for St. John's High School, club teams Juventus and F.C. Greater Boston Eagles, Boston College, Worcester Kings, Cape Cod Crusaders, Sligo Rovers (Irish Eircom League) and Reading Rage. Brendan is currently the head coach of the PDL Reading Rage and West-Mont Youth Travel U9A boys.

Early Life:
Brendan was born on November 12, 1982 and grew up in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. He is the oldest of three children. His parents are Brian and Christine. Before Boston College, Brendan played center midfield and sweeper at St. John's High School and scored 16 goals and had 17 assists in his senior year of high school.He was also the captain his senior year. Brendan was the 2000 Central Massachusetts Player of the Year. In Brendan junior year season, he netted six goals and had 13 assists and was also an all-Central Massachusetts and all-state selection. Brendan was chosen as the MVP in a Massachusetts state tournament and he also helped to win four state championships in the Premier League with his club teams Juventus and F.C. Greater Boston Eagles.

College:
Brendan played for Boston College between the years 2001-2005. Although he did not see much playing time, he was still an asset to the team. In 2003, Brendan played for the Worcester Kings and then in 2004 and 2005, he played for the Cape Cod Crusaders.

After College
After college in 2005, Brendan went onto play for the Sligo Rovers (Irish Eircom League) in 2006 and the Reading Rage from 2006-2007. (not much can be found in statistics for Brendan in those years). In 2008, when the head coach of the Reading Rage suddenly departed, Brendan stepped in and coached the team to an impressive 2008 season.

Coaching
In 2008, after Brendan stepped up to be the Head Coach of the PDL Reading Rage AC (Reading Rage AC History), he led the team to the 2008 Mid Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference Regular Season Title. In 2009, Brendan and the Reading Rage did not slow down from the previous season. The team only dropped one match all season and had a 13-1-2 season and that led the club to its first ever PDL Regular Season National Title. The Reading Rage also qualified for the U.S. Open Cup that year, something that the club had not accomplished since 2003. Brendan's style of coaching promotes a fast paced attacking brand of soccer that has helped the Reading Rage to net 97 goals in 37 games, which accumulates to a 26-7-4 record. This making Brendan the most successful coach in the club’s 15 year history, by winning percentage. In 2010, Brendan became the Head Coach for the West-Mont United U9 Boys Travel A-team. His coaching style with children is the same as older children. Brendan coaches and tells the kids what to do in practice. He believes that is the time where he shows them what to do and how to become better players. During the game, you can see Brendan sitting in a chair, sometimes standing, and barely ever talking. He believes that the games are for the kids to show him what they learned at practiced and what they need to work on. When Brendan does talk, every parent on the sideline gets quiet and listens, as do the kids. Brendan's coaching style is very passive. He is the kind of coaching where he knows yelling at the kids won't make them do any better. Brendan gets to their level and talks to them.

Personal Life
Brendan is married to his wife Carley and they live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.