Your Kids Are Coached By Pros Who Still Play The Game
Elev8 Soccer Academy was founded by two active professional players who believe every young athlete deserves the same quality coaching they had to travel across oceans and earn scholarships to find. Now it's right here in Laguna Niguel.
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Brandon McArdle
Co-Founder | UEFA Licensed Coach | BSc Exercise Science
🏟️ Professional Player — Capo FC (NISA)
⚽ Trained at Home Farm FC, Drogheda United & Dundalk FC (Ireland)
🎓 Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science
📋 FAI Level 2 Coaching License (UEFA-Certified)
🕐 10+ Years Coaching Experience
Coach Brandon brings international playing experience and over a decade of coaching expertise to Elev8 Soccer Academy. He competed professionally with Capo FC in the NISA, played collegiate soccer across several U.S. programs, and represented Ballymun United in Ireland's Leinster Senior League. His foundation was built through elite Irish youth academies including Home Farm FC, Drogheda United, and Dundalk FC.
Brandon's coaching is rooted in European development methodology and backed by an Exercise Science degree — meaning every session is designed not just for what works, but for how young athletes actually learn, adapt, and grow. His sessions emphasize technical skill, tactical intelligence, and long-term player development.
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Daniel Segal
Co-Founder | NISA Pro Captain | USL Academy Coach
🏟️ Professional Captain — Capistrano FC (NISA)
🏆 2023 Cal Pac Regular Season & Tournament Champion
📊 #13 NAIA National Ranking | Sweet 16
📋 USL Academy Assistant Coach — Capo FC
🏫 Coached at Santa Margarita Catholic & Woodbridge High Schools
Coach Daniel is a professional midfielder and team captain for Capistrano FC in the NISA. During his collegiate career at Westcliff University from 2019 to 2023, he helped lead the program to the Cal Pac Regular Season and Tournament Championships, a number 13 NAIA national ranking, and a Sweet 16 appearance while earning Second Team All-League honors.
As a coach, Daniel serves as Assistant Coach for Capo FC's USL Academy and has coached at Santa Margarita Catholic and Woodbridge High Schools, supporting CIF tournament runs and player development. He brings current professional-level standards to every session — because he's living them himself every week.
How We Coach
Every Elev8 session is built around three principles:
Technique First
Ball mastery, first touch, and shooting mechanics are the foundation of every session. We believe technical confidence is what separates players who compete from players who just participate.
Game-Realistic Training
Drills are designed to mirror real match situations. Every rep has a purpose — so when your child steps on the field this weekend, the moment feels familiar.
Positive Competition
We push players to compete and take risks in a supportive environment. Making mistakes is part of development. Avoiding them is what holds players back.
By The Numbers
10+ Years Coaching Experience
3 Professional Academies (Ireland)
2 Active Professional Players
15+ Google Reviews
What Parents Say About Our Coaching
"Brandon is a legend. His knowledge of the game and clinics have helped tremendously.”
-Jesse
"The coaches are a wealth of knowledge and will instill the confidence to play and compete at any level. You will be welcomed as family."
-Andy
"As someone who played soccer for decades, I came in with a pretty high bar. Needless to say they well exceeded expectations."
- Brandon