Testimonials

“I have known Mickey for many years. He was the coach of my first Beachside team. I could tell right away that his passion for the game and commitment to developing players was like no one I had ever been coached by before. Our relationship over the last 20 years or so has grown into a great friendship. Both of us share an incredible love for the game of soccer. More importantly though, Mickey was there for me throughout all the stages of my career and was integral in helping me make it to the next level. The atmosphere that he created for us prepared me for all the challenges I would face as I progressed up the soccer ladder, not only physically but also mentally. He also remained involved and committed to helping me achieve my soccer goals throughout my career. The soccer foundation that Mickey gave me is what I built the rest of my career on top of, from Staples High school, University of Virginia, LA Galaxy and finally the US National team. A strong foundation is very important to any player who has aspirations to play at the next level, whatever that level is. But for me personally, having a mentor and a friend as a resource throughout my career was what separated Mickey from all my other coaches.”

“I played for Beachside from age 11-14 yrs old. I had great experiences at the club and with Mickey. Mickey had just stopped playing professionally from the MLS when I came to the club and he gave me a lot of experience only a person that had played at his level could give. I think during that age was when I began to learn more about the tactics of soccer and how to play the game in a more professional sense and not so much at only a youth level. I had many successful years at Beachside and with Mickey; we won State Cup, we played in Regionals, we won the league each year and I had fun every second of it. Mickey knows how to teach the game of soccer in a way that it gets across to the player but allows the player to give the game their own personal touch. Mickey gives every player the freedom to show their talents and attributes and simply gives them the tools to use this skill to better themselves and the team.

My experience with Mickey was one of great importance for my career. I have become the player I am today, in part to Mickey’s advice and training techniques. I’m very grateful for the opportunity I had to learn from him at such a young age, and am even more grateful that he is still there as a person I can count on to support me through the highs and lows of being a professional soccer player.”

“Mickey Kydes is one of the most knowledgeable, passionate and driven coaches I have ever had the privilege of working with. His wealth of experience and expertise in the game of soccer enables him to guide and support any player at any level to achieve whatever goals he/she has set forth.”

“Very rarely in life do you come across someone whose passion and devotion inspires you to exceed your own self-conceived boundaries to reach a level of potential that you never knew you could . I attribute a great deal of my own personal success on the athletic field, in the classroom and in the boardroom to Mickey Kydes as the lessons that he espouses relate to all aspects of life.

I never would have realized the importance of lining up your soccer bags or persevering through adversity if it were not for my experiences with Mickey and Beachside. Mickey Kydes and the athletic programs that he has designed offer a supportive environment that is conducive to growth and development. Growing up I spent as much time with Mickey and my teammates as I did with my own family and it was during these formative years that Mickey taught me about discipline, integrity, friendship and sacrifice. Beachside has always felt more like a family than a soccer club and Mickey has always maintained an open door policy when it comes to issues regarding soccer and life.

Mickey’s own personal drive and generosity within the local community set a standard that we should all seek to achieve, although few of us ever will, as Mickey’s contributions have had a positive effect on thousands of families in the area. The lessons and values that I have gained over the years while playing for Mickey at Beachside and coaching with Mickey in his summer camp and local youth programs will stay with me for the rest of my life. Mickey Kydes has played an important role in my life since I was 10 years old serving various roles as a coach, role-model and inspirational figure. Sixteen years later, there are few people who I trust and admire more than Mickey Kydes.”

“Using his soccer knowledge from playing and coaching, Mickey Kydes has established a foundation for the development of youth players. With a mission and philosophy dedicated to enriching the experience of young players in a positive and progressive manner, he is providing his players with skills necessary for the soccer field as well as experiences that will continue to shape them into confident individuals in all aspects of their lives. With Mickey’s background, he is able to teach players with varying levels of abilities and desires and assist them in accomplishing their goals. His dedication to his organization provides him the motivation to bring in top-notch coaches and trainers to assist him in his endeavors for continued improvement of the organization and more importantly, the development of the youth that participate in his programs.”

“I have known Mickey for many years as both a player and coach. As a product of Fairfield County Soccer myself, it is exciting to know that the youth players of Southern Connecticut have the opportunity to learn about the game of soccer and life from a person that brings such a wealth of knowledge and experience to the process of overall player development. I am sure Mickey approaches teaching the game with the same passion, discipline and commitment that enabled him to play at a high level.”

“I had the pleasure of playing with Mickey in the early 90s. Not only was Mickey an extremely gifted player, but he was a true professional both on and off the field. Mickey’s deep understanding of the game, and his experience at the highest level of soccer, is clearly demonstrated in the growth of his thriving and successful rec, travel and camp programs, not to mention the national success of the Beachside Soccer Club. As a coach and instructor, Mickey has developed a number of high-level players ready for the next level, a clear indication that he not only understands the importance of youth development when it comes to the world of top collegiate and professional soccer, but that he is capable of creating an environment that cultivates the very best in a player at any level of play. When I need soccer advice, Mickey is the first person I call.”

“Mickey Kydes was among the talented professionals who played in the inaugural season of Major League Soccer. His dedication to the game spans decades and his experience gives him a good understanding of what it takes to develop young players. His soccer relationships nationally are well established and he continues to be a friend of the League.”

“Mickey Kydes is one of the true leaders of youth soccer in Connecticut. I have seen first-hand his devotion to player development and education as well as fostering age-appropriate competitive success. Beginning with recreational players and up through his elite programs, Mickey and his coaches work to develop each player to his or her fullest potential. The results of his teams on the field and the success graduates of his programs have in continuing on to play collegiate and, in some cases, professional soccer demonstrate the quality of his organization.”

“I have known Mickey for many years, and being inducted in the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame class of 2008 with him was a great honor. While as a former teammate of his I respected his high level of commitment, passion and creative technical ability. Now as a professional sporting agent for both domestic and foreign based players, I have a great appreciation for his ability to develop the future talent of the game. With the athletes I have come across that have been with Mickey, there is clearly a game awareness and understanding of the intangible character attributes that make a great player, not to mention a high level of technical skill. That these athletes are coming out of the Southern region of Connecticut, is a testament to Mickey’s dedication and ability to develop high level soccer players.”

“Once again, another great experience. This year my son did the all day camp two different weeks. I love the positive message sent to the kids. Very well run!”

“Tobias always enjoys the camp – he is very comfortable with all the familiar faces that he has known since he was 6 years old. That is VERY special and he loves it.”

“We have two kids that love soccer. We have been sending them to your camps every year, and each time the kids simply love it! Thank you.”

“My daughter absolutely loved the camp. The skills/drills taught have been so helpful that I have seen improvement during her game. I was also impressed about the soft skills (i.e., respect, sportsmanship,etc) that was taught at the camp as well which I strongly believe is just as important. If all works out with scheduling next summer, she will attend next year along with my son.”

“Olivia had a great time at camp. The coaches are just the best and it was really helpful, because she is only five, that she knew them from the clinics that she takes during the school year. She definitely learned new skills and loved the games and prizes and gained confidence. We will definitely do it again.”

“Henry enjoyed the camp thoroughly and it truly helped him to prepare for the High School Soccer season.”

“Kevin had a blast at camp.”

“Daniel had a fantastic time a the camp. He made few friends and he still bumps into them at different soccer matches. Thank you!”

“Thank you. Tory had a great time and especially loved the team building exercises.”

“This was the best soccer experience my children had. I will definitely send them again. Thanks to great coaches! and great Leadership!”

“Bianca and Edwin have gone to Mickey’s camp for three years in a row. I really feel that they have learned a lot and feel more confident in playing with the skills they have learned through the camp. We will be back next summer, can’t wait!”

“It was Anna’s first time away and the first time she had her own room. On top of that she was new to the team. All this didn’t seem to bother her at all! You all kept her busy. She loved all the games and the fact that she got to play so much soccer. She made a lot of new friends and matured from her experience. When I picked her up she was sad. I asked her what was wrong and she told me she didn’t want it to end.

Sal had a great time too!! Anytime he can play soccer he’s happy. The shining moment in my memory will forever be when he called me to tell me how much he appreciated that I do his laundry. He told me he “..never realized how much work goes into it.” (This was “priceless”.)

Thank you all for your time and patience. They had a great time. It’s September and I still catch them talking about camp with each other once in a while!!”