March Academy Affiliate of the Month: Sporting Columbia
Club Bio
Founded in 1975, Sporting Columbia is the premier youth soccer club in mid-Missouri.
Sporting Columbia serves over 1,500 players and their families, providing positive soccer and life experiences at the recreational and competitive levels.
The club’s main focus is promoting both fundamental and advanced soccer skills, sportsmanship, teamwork and a love for the game.
Sporting Columbia strives to be the premier soccer platform in central Missouri, offering an unparalleled experience.
The club is extremely proud and honored to be an Academy Affiliate of Sporting Kansas City.
Coach Spotlight
Charlie Thompson
- Head Coach, 2010 Girls
Charlie Thompson has been coaching with Sporting Columbia since 2016. He has 11 years of experience coaching youth soccer in central Missouri and is a USSF National D License holder.
Charlie’s team currently compete in Heartland’s second division and have won multiple competitions throughout the state.
Charlie believes that developing meaningful connections with players is the key to player development. Sporting Columbia’s philosophies and culture has allowed him to focus on his players and to see them as an extension of his family.
Since joining Sporting Columbia, Charlie’s teams have made 29 tournament finals, won 14 tournament championships and four league championships.
When not coaching, Charlie enjoys helping with Sporting Columbia’s recreation camps and pre-academy sessions. He is also an assistant coach at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri and works as a teacher for Columbia Public Schools.
Ally Spafford
- Assistant Coach, 2009 Girls
A California native, Ally Spafford has a passion for all things fitness, outdoors and soccer! She recently moved to Columbia, Missouri to work at the University of Missouri as a Fitness Coordinator.
Ally played Division 1 soccer at Old Dominion University and Texas Christian University, as well as for the Texas Spurs and FC Pride in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).
She graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, along with a master’s degree in Exercise Science from Texas A&M – Kingsville.
Ally’s coaching experiences ranges from youth soccer to Division II women’s collegiate soccer. She has also coached at various fitness and sports performance companies.
Ally believes sports promote teamwork, communication, confidence and the development of other essential life skills that can be transferred off the field and into every day life!
Player Spotlight
Christian Mahoro
- 2005 Boys
On the field, Christian is the epitome of a team player. He is selfless, encouraging and positive.
Christian creates an environment that makes his teammates better players and encourages them to player harder. His touch, vision, passing ability and 1v1 skills are unrivaled.
He has a drive to be better and he demonstrates that during training. For Christian, there are no half-effort days.
Beyond his physical skills, Christian is a kind and polite young man. He is positive towards his teammates and coaches.
Christian is the kind of player every coach wants to have!
Lia Metz
- 2008 Girls
Lia is a leader on and off the field. She continuously sets an example for her effort and positivity. Additionally, her combination of speed, athleticism and technique make her a force on the pitch.
Lia anchors the midfield for her 2008 team and also regularly contributes to the 2006 and 2007 Girls teams. She has also been invited to play with the 2007 Boys.
Lia has represented Sporting Columbia at various events, including Sporting Kansas City’s Academy Affiliate All-Star Experience.
Although Lia is a multi-sport athlete, she is excited to focus on soccer has her primary sport.
For more information on Sporting Columbia, visit SportingColumbia.net and follow them on Twitter and Facebook or Instagram.