Chicago Fire Academy

Brady joined the Fire after three seasons at Northern Illinois University, where he served as full-time assistant coach as well as the Director of Coaching for Northern Illinois FC (2013-14). Prior to that, Brady was as an assistant coach at Hastings College in 2011-12. Brady holds at USSF A License and National Youth License from the United States Soccer Federation, as well as a Goalkeeping Level I and II Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He played collegiately at Lambuth College, graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Performance, and has a Masters Degree in Education from Hastings College in 2013.

Talbi joins the Fire after coaching for Empire United in Western NY as a Development Academy head coach. With Empire, in 2016, he also launched and ran the strength and conditioning program. During his time in WNY Talbi was also the head coach at Hilbert College and spent time as the assistant coach at Niagara University. In France, for five years, he was the strength and conditioning coach for the Aviron Bayonnais Soccer Club (Division III), and, with the same club, he coached multiple boy’s teams. Before that, he was the head coach of the Division II women's team in Blanc Mesnil. Talbi holds a USSF “A-Youth” and a UEFA "A" Coaching License. He is also a Strength and Conditioning Specialist holding his “CSCS” through the NSCA and a European diploma “DUEPP” from the University of Lyon, France. Talbi also received a master's degree in research and training from the French National Institute of Sport (INSEP).

Choquette joins the Fire Academy after serving two years at club affiliate Chicago Fire Juniors City and is starting his third year as an assistant at the University of Chicago. Before that, he was coaching in Connecticut at Oakwood SC, the same club he played at growing up. He enjoyed multiple roles with the club, as staff coach for multiple Zone 1 teams and manager for facilities, the shop, and social media. Choquette played collegiately at UChicago, graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Languages and Civilizations. Mike currently holds a USSF C-License.

Barshai has coached locally at the collegiate, high school and youth level for close to 20 years. He served as Assistant Head Coach at Concordia university, which he helped lead to conference title in 2005. He then moved on to coaching youth full time at Glenview and Northbrook, where he also served as Technical Director for Glenview SC. In 2015 he helped lead NSCDS to a conference title and received the ISL Coach of the Year award. Barshai is also a member of the Illinois ODP coaching staff and a member of the USL/PDL Scouting Network.

Barshai started playing with youth programs at Spartak Moscow, and then moved on to play for several local clubs. After moving to the United States with his family, he continued playing in clubs and leagues around Chicago, until deciding to focus fully on coaching soccer. Barshai holds a USSF A License and NSCAA Premier Diploma.

Mania, born in Tbilisi, Georgia arrived in the United States at the beginning of 2020. His coaching career began in 2013 at Georgia Dinamo Tbilisi Academy training U-8, U-11, U-14 age groups until 2015. From 2015-17, he was the assistant coach and coordinator of Dinamo Tbilisi Academy. He took part in the soccer development program in the club and participated in UEFA youth league coaching seminar. From 2017-19, Irakli was analytic and assistant coach of Georgian National Team U-21. Irakli has his UEFA A license.

Zach joined the Chicago Fire FC Academy as a Strength & Conditioning Coach for the U13 through U17 levels after working as a Minor League S&C Coach at the Chicago Cubs Dominican Republic Baseball Academy. Prior to time in pro baseball, Zach served in S&C roles at UNC Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, and Carroll University for a variety of sports including football, track & field, American football, basketball, softball, swimming & diving, and cheerleading. Prior to his S&C Career, Zach coached football and track at the high school level, and football at the junior college level in Chicago.

Zach completed his B.A. in Physical Education at North Park University and his M.S. in Exercise Physiology with a concentration in Strength & Conditioning at Carroll University. He is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, and a Level 1 Coach in both USA Weightlifting and USA Track & Field.

Felix joined the Chicago Fire FC Academy as PASS Coordinator after spending 6 months with the organization as an extern. He completed his Bachelor of Psychological Science degree from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.

He then traveled to Chicago, IL to pursue a Masters degree, specifically Masters of Arts in Counseling: Specializing in Sport and Health Psychology program that he completed at Adler University between 2016 - 2018. As a part of this dual program, he was required to complete an internship and externship, which meant that he received dual training both in a clinical setting and as a mental performance coach.

In addition to developing and delivering PASS content to the Chicago Fire Soccer Academy, he works on enhancing the mental performance of players/groups/teams at all age levels.

Rachael completed her MSW at University of Chicago in 2019 and is a licensed psychotherapist who is focused on helping young footballers navigate their development pathway. She has previously managed a post-quake housing development in Haiti, started a business in Oman, and assisted in the establishment of a secondary campus for a leading youth soccer academy in Ghana. She is currently focused on creating opportunities for players to access mental health and socio-emotional development supports in the world of youth soccer.