Coach: Mike Raffael

Coaching philosophy: Mike creates an environment that is both fun and instructive, focusing on developing each player's technical skills and understanding of the game. He works hard to analyze each player's strengths and weaknesses and carefully plans practices to maximize benefits to individual players as well as to the team as a whole. He challenges all the kids to strive to meet their potential. And finally, he emphasizes that success is not measured by wins-losses, but by the quality and enjoyment of the game.

Playing experience: Mike played soccer from youth age through college age and beyond, including at the international level. At the age of 12 while at the Hungarian Olympic training center he began training as a goalkeeper. He went on to play for his high school, County, and College teams. Upon entering military service mike was the starting goalkeeper for the US Marine corps soccer team. Mike was also the starting goalkeeper for the All Service team, and represented the US in the international CISM soccer tournament. After leaving military service mike joined the Northern Virginia Select, one of the top amateur teams in the country. While a member of that team, Mike was invited to try-out and train with Team America (US world cup team). Mike was also offered a try-out with the Baltimore Blast, but unfortunately had to retire because of a shoulder injury. He continues to play on a casual basis with friends.

Coaching experience: Mike has coached many teams at many different levels (clinic,rec,select/travel, and high school), but primarily works with youth girls (because he has three daughters of his own). He has coached with the Laurel B&G Club, Soccer Association of Columbia (SAC), Thunder Soccer Club (TSC), Reservoir High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt Maryland. Mike has trained several young goalkeepers, who have achieved high levels of accomplishments at the club, state, and regional levels. Currently Mike is head coach of the Thunder Extreme (TSC) 93 girls, Head Coach Thunder 96 girls and Assistant Coach (Goalkeeper trainer) Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt Maryland. Mike has been involved with the Olympic Development program (ODP), District Develop program (DDP), and as an Instructor in Maryland's Coaching Education Program. Mike currently provides goalkeeper training to individuals, groups, and camps through Shot Stoppers Goalkeeping Academy. Mike holds a National Goalkeeping diploma from the National Coaches Association (NSCAA), a National Youth license from United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and is a USSF B licensed Coach. Mike currently is the girls director of coaching at the Thunder Soccer Club.

Coach: Bill Heiser

Bill Heiser comes to Thunder Soccer Club with extensive soccer playing and coaching experience. He is a native of Bowie, Maryland where he excelled as a player and was a two-time All-American. Bill was a NSCAA Youth All-American in 1988 and a Parade High School All-America as a midfielder in 1991. Moreover, Bill was a member of the United States Under-17 National Team from 1988-90 and represented his country in the 1989 U-17 World Championships in Scotland. His national team made history when they became the first team in the history of United State’s soccer to defeat Brazil 1-0 in a FIFA World Cup.

Bill attended Loyola College in Baltimore, MD on a full-athletic scholarship. He was an all-conference performer on the nationally ranked men’s soccer team at Loyola College from 1991-95. He was a three-year captain of the Greyhounds and finished his career ranked 16th in career points. After graduating from Loyola in 1995, Heiser was drafted by two indoor professional teams, the Washington Warthogs and the Baltimore Blast (formerly the Spirit). However, Heiser opted out of playing professionally and decided to advance his education by attending graduate school.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling (M.Ed.) from Loyola College in Maryland. In addition, he earned his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration (Ed.D.) from Morgan State University in 2003. A centerpiece of Bill’s coaching philosophy has been his dedication and commitment to helping student-athletes achieve on and off the field.

Heiser’s coaching experience includes a one year stint at Georgetown University under the former Hoya’s Head Coach, Keith Tabatznik, and current University of Pennsylvania Coach, Rudy Fuller. In addition, Heiser has been an assistant coach with the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and has also served as a technical trainer and coach with the Freestate Soccer Alliance.