Joe&John, Neighbor

<strong>Giuseppe &#34;Joe&#34; Funicello:</strong><br>Joe Funicello is an elite soccer player, professionally playing both in Europe and in the United States. Team experience includes VPS (Finland); IFK (Mariehamn, Finland); Pór Akureyri, (Iceland); Real Maryland Monarchs, (USA); and the New York Red Bulls Reserves, (USA). Joe recently signed on with a Italian Series B Club.

Joe is a product of the local Norwalk Junior Soccer Association, playing for both local and travel premier teams. He attended Norwalk High School as a four-year varsity starter and helped lead the team to their 2002 FCIAC Championship.

Joe’s professional experience has led to many opportunities of working with youth teams. He hosted numerous youth soccer clinics for Real Maryland FC in Maryland and was named one of the Coaching Development Directors for Pór Akureyri in Iceland.

Joe enjoys interacting with youth teams where he can share his knowledge and experience and help move forward the development of youth soccer, which is one ofthe reasons for Co-Founding Pro Impact Soccer Academy

<strong>John J. Raus:<br></strong>John J. Raus was born in raised in Stamford, CT. Born into an Italian family, there were two things that you couldn’t get enough of: soccer and food.

At 5 years old, John played his first game for SYSL (Stamford Youth Soccer League) which paved the way for later years of success, moving on to play collegiate and professional soccer. 

John spent his first two years of high school at Stamford High, before transferring over to St. Luke’s school in New Canaan, CT. There John led his varsity team to some of their most successful years in school history. John went on to become Team Captain, MVP, Leading Goal Scorer of both team and FAA conference, All-FAA, All-State, and All-Winnepsa team, where he was then recruited into Seton Hall University in the BIG EAST conference. 

At Seton Hall John made some of his greatest advancements as a player. He helped lead Seton hall to their highest national ranking of 12th in the country for Division 1 schools. Through his career at SHU John helped steer the way to three NCAA tournament births, three BIG EAST tournaments including a trip to the BIG EAST finals. In his final two seasons John delivered 19 goals and 13 assists, achieving national recognition being named to the All BIG EAST Conference team, while earning himself an opportunity to play with the NY Red Bull Reserves.

In the summer of 07&#39; John got his first taste of professional soccer joining with NY Red Bull Reserves of the MLS. Later that same summer, after a successful trial with Polish 1st division side LKS Lomza, he moved on to establish himself in European soccer. The following year John went on to London England, to integrate himself inside the core of International Soccer and sign for Fisher Athletic in the Conference South. During his time in London, John attended an invite trial at Liverpool FC&#39;s training grounds for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, of the NASL (North American Soccer League) and soon there after was on his way back to the states to continue the progression of his professional career. From Tampa Bay, John teamed up with Real Maryland Monarchs to finish his 2010 season.

About Pro Impact Soccer Academy:

<strong>PRO IMPACT SOCCER ACADEMY (PISA)<br></strong>PISA was founded in 2011 to offer soccer players an opportunity to develop and reach their full potential. Our goal is the development, growth, and excellence of all players no matter what skill level or age. We want to provide a platform for success and give all players the highest quality of training through new age techniques that are currently used by professional teams worldwide. We believe the most important part of a player’s development, growth, and success is the environment he/she is trained in and the coaching that gets them there.

<strong>PISA Mission</strong><br>Our mission at PISA is to not only develop great players, but to develop great individuals as well. Through a common goal, discipline of the game, and respect for your peers, the values learned on the field are invaluable to life experiences off the field. Strong core values will result in enrichment to the communities we operate through soccer. PISA strives to pass on our love for the game to create a motivational and enjoyable environment for players to excel and continue to grow through their relationships they make on and off the field. 

Preparation, dedication and hard work is a key for success. While improvement is our primary focus, we aim to prepare players to be successful student-athletes and help them transition from high school soccer to college soccer and with great desire and dedication, the pro ranks. We encourage players to go above and beyond; whether their goal is to improve as a soccer player or to play professional, it is our privilege to guide them there.

<strong>PISA Philosophy</strong><br>PISA was founded for the specific purpose of helping players realize that through hard work and dedication reaching your goals are closer than imagined. We want to encourage players to <b>BELIEVE</b> in their goals and dreams, to <b>WORK</b> towards their goals and dreams, and through belief and hard work to <b>ACHIEVE</b> their goals and dreams.  However, realization of these goals must be accomplished within the proper framework by instilling character, self-esteem, confidence, and sportsmanship within the youth athlete.

PISA coaching staff are dedicated to helping players develop individual skills, team tactics, and a positive mentality which help prepare them for their future careers. Transition from high school soccer to the collegiate game is a big step, and a primary focus for us is assisting players to get to the next level, including obtaining athletic scholarships. From college, come the pros. Playing professional is one of the greatest and most fulfilling achievements a player can experience in his/hers life, and through our extensive contact list we hope to give those talented players the chance to break into the professional game.

Email Us At: info&#64;thePISA.com

Call Us At: 203-529-1418

www.thePISA.com