Goalkeeper Programming

Empire offers a comprehensive goalkeeper development program. To ensure the program's success Empire has hired a Director of Goalkeepers who will set curriculum and programming, train the entire coaching staff on the nuances of coaching goalkeepers and keeping the goalkeeper position in mind when developing lesson plans, and train our keepers on the technical, tactical, and mental components of being a high level performer.

Director of Goalkeepers - Eric Barnes

Eric Barnes is currently the head men’s coach at Niagara University. He was formerly an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh since January 2009 as well as the Director of Goalkeeping for FC Pittsburgh and the head coach of the U11 Boys team. He currently holds an NSCAA Premier Diploma, USSF B License, and an NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma.

Barnes is a member of the NSCAA National Goalkeeper Staff. In this role with the largest coaching organization in the world, Barnes will travel to various locations throughout the U.S. to teach coaches how to properly train their goalkeepers. He is also a grade 6 USSF State Referee as well as a member of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association. Barnes travels throughout the region officiating collegiate, adult and elite youth soccer matches.

Barnes played professionally for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2) during the 2009 season and for the Carolina Dynamo (PDL - USL Premier Development league) in 2007. The Dynamo was the Southeast Division champions and advanced to the Conference Finals before falling to the eventual national champions, Laredo Heat.

Barnes began his coaching career in South Carolina in 2004 assisting with goalkeepers at various high schools. Since 2004, Barnes has trained youth teams and goalkeepers in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Complete Bio

Additional Staffing

Coming soon!

Player Programming - UPDATED 8/21/14

We have decided to modify the program for keepers u11 and younger. Those age groups will offer a keeper session outside of regualr training once every other week through the indoor period.  Any player interested in trying keeper training is welcome.  There is no fee for this session. 

The u12 and older keeper program is still in place.  All keepers will receive a small group training session outside of team training every week both indoors and outdoors. Plus, keepers will receive a second session a week within their respective teams training. Additional opportunties may also be available throughout the season.

Players who elect to not participate in the keeper program will benefit from the work Coach Barnes plans to do with the head coaching staff as he provides good direction for incorporating the keepers better into team training sessions. Keeper specific training outside of what the head and assistant coaching staff offers will not be provided.  

Cost

Training keepers requires a small coach to player ratio, additional field space, and specialized staff. Add in a Director of Goalkeeping who is training regular staff, communicating on a regular basis with head coaches about preformances and needs, setting and driving curriculum, etc.  This is an expensive proposition, but one that is very needed.  Keepers will be expected to pay an additional fee to the club to receive this training. The club teams will subsidize the cost, but only in part.

  • U11 and Younger Keepers - $350 for the season - CANCELLED
  • U12 and Older Keepers - $450 for the season

To register for the Goalkeeper Programming please enter Cogran and sign up just like you did for the tryouts and for accepting a team roster position. 

Notes

  • Developmental Players are eligible for the Goalkeeper Programming
  • The program is not available for players outside the club