Eddie Loewen

Loewen, who co-authored the FIFA beach soccer coaching manual overseas and who recently worked as Director of Beach Soccer for the USL, where his role involved expanding the marketing and sponsorship opportunities surrounding the MBS tournament series and growing the sport of beach soccer in the US.

A native of Lithuania who grew up in Germany, Loewen got his start as a player with youth clubs FC Preussen Espelkamp and SC Herford before starting his professional career with FC Remscheid in 1998. Loewen headed to Berry College in Georgia in 2000, where he received a BA in Health & Physical Education.

Loewen moved on to the University of Akron, where he gained his first coaching experience as an assistant with the women’s team while continuing to study Sport Science in the master’s program. He returned to the pro game in 2004, suiting up for the Cincinnati Riverhawks of the USL A-League before returning to Germany to play with DSC Arminia Bielefeld in the German 3rd professional Division (Regionalliga). He ended his outdoor playing career with BSV Rehden in 2007. Most recently, he served three years as Director of Coaching for Everton Florida in St. Petersburg.

Loewen was introduced to beach soccer in 2000 and played his first international match for Germany that year when he faced Eric Cantona and his France squad. Loewen played in his first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Brazil in 2001, and served as player of the German side at the 2004 tournament. He continued as the coach of the German National Team until 2009.

Loewen attended FIFA’s first beach soccer instructor’s course in Zurich in 2007, and was appointed to co-author the FIFA Coaching Manual, which is being used to introduce and develop beach soccer to FIFA’s member associations throughout the world. He has conducted FIFA beach soccer seminars in Turkey, United Arab Emirates and in the United States.

Milen Gaganelov

Milen brings a wealth of professional and youth coaching experience to the table for GFL Soccer Enterprises. His last professional assignment was with Indonesian Pro Club “Produta FC” from 2009 – 2010 where he managed the team alongside Kostadin Angelov. Currently Milen is coaching with Everton FL Soccer Club as a coach for the U9 and U18 boys. He is also into his second year of coaching High School Soccer at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, FL.

Milen was born in Sofia Bulgaria and began his affair with soccer at early childhood at one of the best Bulgarian teams – CSKA Sofia. He started playing club soccer at the age of 8 and played all the way up to the men’s professional league, competing in an impressive amount of National and International tournaments and competitions, receiving countless awards and recognitions. At age 17, he was also called to represent his country in the Bulgarian National team for the FIFA U20 World Cup qualifications in 1989.

His professional playing career includes professional teams from Bulgaria, as well as professional teams from the USA, such as ‘Hampton Road Mariners” from Virginia Beach and the Atlanta “Ruckus”. Milen also played college soccer at his arrival in the US with Lander University in Greenville, SC, where he received many awards. He also holds the FIFA “B” Coaching license and is in the process of upgrading it to the FIFA” Pro” license, which is the highest international soccer coaching license one can achieve.

Milen’s coaching education started in the National Sports Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria back in 1992. He graduated with Bachelors degree in Physical Education and Coaching in 1997. He now advances his coaching knowledge by studying in the US as a graduate student at the Ohio University’s Masters of Coaching program.

Milen currently resides in St. Petersburg, FL with his beautiful wife and two amazing children.