Seattle Sounders FC Academy Staff
Technical Director
Henry Brauner
Brauner joined the club as Sounders FC Academy’s Head of Recruitment in 2015, working in that role until 2018 following two years as a coach for Real Salt Lake’s Academy. He then left the organization from 2018-2020 to become a United States Youth National Team scout and coach, returning to Seattle in 2020 as Director of Player Development and First Team Development Coach. Brauner was then promoted to Vice President of Player Development in 2022, a role he served in until being appointed Technical Director.
Nationality: United States/Philippines | Been with the Sounders since: 2020
Director of Development
Wade Webber
Webber was hired as Tacoma Defiance’s Head Coach on February 26, 2021, following three years as an Assistant Coach. Webber, who received his USSF Pro coaching license while in charge of Defiance, amassed a 39-26-23 overall record as Head Coach during his tenure, playing in the USL Championship in 2021 before moving to MLS NEXT Pro in 2022 and 2023. Defiance advanced to the Western Conference Final in 2022 and the Western Conference Semifinals in 2023, winning Pacific Division titles in both campaigns. Prior to his time with Tacoma, Webber coached two seasons with Sounders FC Academy (2016-2017).
Before joining Seattle, he coached youth soccer extensively throughout Western Washington, including seven years as Director of Coaching for Washington Premier FC. In his time with Washington Premier FC, Webber accumulated a record of 596-183-126 with four state championships and two regional titles. His prior coaching stops included Norpoint FC (1999-2003), Federal Way Reign (2003-2005) and FC Royals (2005-2006). He joined the Washington State EDP/ODP program in 2015, where led the 2001 Boys (U-15) to the Region IV Championship. Webber has a USSF A License and Master’s in Teaching from Seattle University.
Prior to his coaching career, Webber amassed over a decade of professional playing experience from 1986-1999, including 53 MLS appearances for Dallas and Miami from 1997-1999. The defender attended the University of Portland from 1985-1988, leading the Pilots to the NCAA Final Four as a senior. A Federal Way native, Webber won three consecutive state championships at Thomas Jefferson High School of Federal Way, as well as Washington’s first national club championship with Goalpost SC U-16 in 1983.
Nationality: United States | Been with the Sounders since: 2016
Head of Pro Player Development
Craig Dalrymple
Former collegiate (Simon Fraser University) and professional player (Vancouver 86’ers). Has spent 10 years as the technical / academy director with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2010-2020) and two years as the academy director with Inter Miami CF (2021-23). Holds the UEFA Pro License and Academy Managers License from the English FA, Elite Formation Coaching License from the FFF, and A License from USSF and CSA. Is married to Jenifer, and they have three actively playing daughters Georgia, Kennedy, and Grace.
Nationality: United Kingdom & Canada | Been with the Sounders since: 2024
Head of Academy Recruitment
David "Bingy" Lara
Born and raised in Las Cruces, NM; played youth for NM Striker FC.
Played for University of Kentucky men’s soccer while earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, then coached as a student and volunteer assistant for the program in ’09 and ‘10. Next moved east to learn as a graduate assistant and assistant coach at Morehead State University women’s soccer from 2010-2014, while receiving master’s degree in Counseling.
From there joined Real Salt Lake as first assistant coach for the Real Monarchs in the 2015 and 2016 USL Championship Seasons. Moved to Washington in 2017 and spent 5 years as Federal Way Football Club as Technical Director, then 1 year as Director of Talent Identification for Seattle United, working most specifically with the boys ECNL program. Served as the US Soccer Federation YNT Network ID scout in Washington from 2018-2021.
Wife is Anna; two sweets are named Caius and Mabel.
Nationality: USA | Been with Sounders since: 2022
U-18 Head Coach
Xavi Bravo
Bravo joins Sounders FC Academy after 5 years as the Technical Director at Barca Residency Academy. His experience extends from 4 years as Academy Director in Hong Kong and 13 years coaching FC Barcelona Academy teams in Spain. Javier holds his UEFA Pro License and Academy Director US Soccer License.
Nationality: Spain | Been with the Sounders since: 2022
U-16 Head Coach
Matt Dorman
Matt Dorman was hired as the Academy U16 head coach in Aug 2024 after serving as the Academy & Tacoma Defiance developmental analyst since January 2023. Matt joined the Sounders after previous roles as the director of player development at Seattle United (2022-2023) & 5 years at Seattle Reign as the 1st team video analyst, academy technical director & head academy coach (2017-2022). Matt has also served with the USWNT as an opposition scout, as a coach educator with US Soccer & assistant at the collegiate level. Matt holds the USSF A license and is currently completing the French Course.
Nationality: United Kingdom | Been with the Sounders since: 2023
U-15 Head Coach
Ethan O’Neill
Ethan O’Neill’s soccer career started as a D1 Player for SETU – 2 D1 Irish University Championships and continued to the Shamrock Rovers Academy and Wexford FC in Irish National League. He attained a Bachelors in Sports Coaching & Management from SETU in Ireland.
Ethan’s coaching experience expanded from Head Coach u15 CK United in Irish National League to Head/assistant coach for Emerging Talent Program in line with Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
Ethan moved to Seattle from Ireland in January 2019. He started his Seattle soccer career as the Head of Coaching Development at Seattle Celtic from 2019-2022, then Boys Director of Coaching + ECNL Head Coach at Seattle United Aug 2022- Aug 2024, and most notably he was the 2023 USL 2 Ballard FC Head Coach who were USL 2 Champions.
He holds his UEFA A License.
Nationality: Ireland | Been with the Sounders since: 2024
Development Methodology Assistant and Analyst
Brayton Knapp
Brayton Knapp joined Sounders FC in 2013 after playing in the MASL from 2010-2013. A graduate of the University of Portland, where he played from 2005-2009, Knapp began his coaching career in 2009 as a U15/16 Development Academy Assistant Coach for FC Portland before joining Crossfire Premier Soccer Club as a Head Coach in 2011. Knapp has also coached at Mercer Island Futbol Club and for Eastside FC.
Nationality: United States | Been with the Sounders since: 2011
Performance Coach
Jake O'Neil
Nationality: United States | Been with the Sounders since: 2024
Assistant Academy Performance
Katy Krueger
Assistant Development Athletic Trainer
Brandon Duffy
Head of Academy Operations
Lauren Babcock
Lauren moved to Seattle from Tampa, Florida and joined the Academy at the end of 2016 after working in the Sounders FC Pioneer Square Headquarters beginning in 2014. She was a key member in developing Sounders FC 2, now Tacoma Defiance, as the Gameday Operations Manager. In Tampa, Lauren worked in Game Presentation for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL.
Nationality: United States | Been with the Sounders since: 2014
Academy Operations Assistant
Ashley Yang
Ashley joined the Sounders after graduating from University of Washington with her Master of Education for Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership. She gained experience as an Olympic Sport Operations Assistant, working a variety of sports and events during her time. Ashley also has experience as a substitute teacher in the Kent School District, where she grew up.
Nationality: United States | Been with the Sounders since: 2024
Head of Education
Diane Carney
Diane joined the Seattle Sounders Academy as the Head of Education and Welfare after serving as the Learning Services Director at the Annie Wright Upper School for Girls. She brings 20 years of experience with differentiated learning support, tutoring, standardized test preparation, and the college process. After earning a BS from Puget Sound and an MS from UW, Diane owned and operated University Tutoring Service in Seattle and Olympia for 13 years. When she’s not busy supporting the next generation of Sounders, Diane can be found behind a camera, on the slopes, or at her farm.
Nationality: United States | Been with the Sounders since: 2017
Educational Assistant
Ramón Miranda-Beltran
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ramón has an MA from Michigan State University and over 5 years of experience teaching History in both Michigan and Puerto Rico. Before joining the Sounders, Ramón worked as a freelance translator and research assistant.
Nationality: United States | Been with the Sounders since: 2023