Crystal Palace name Smith, Tabatznik to youth development posts

Crystal Palace FC USA has appointed Matt Smith as Director and Keith Tabatznik as Director of Curriculum/Scouting of the club’s Professional Development Academy. Smith and Tabatznik are widely regarded as two of the top college soccer coaches in the region and across the United States.

Matt Smith turned Johns Hopkins University into a perennial national soccer power as their head coach from 1993 to 2007. His career record of 240-45-19 (.821) ranks fourth in the NCAA (all divisions) for coaches with at least 10 years experience. He has more wins than any JHU soccer coach since the inception of the program in 1935, as well as holding the record for the most wins in the history of the Centennial Conference. Smith led his team to eight regular-season Centennial Conference Championships, four Eastern College Athletic Conference tournaments and an appearance in the NCAA National Finals. Smith also served as head coach for the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association Olympic Development Program (MSYSA-ODP) from 1993 to 1998 and again from 2006 to 2007, racking up a combined record of 76-8-6 and winning the 2006 USYSA National Championship. From 1998 to 2001 he was Head State Coach and Director of the Olympic Development Program at MSYSA. Smith began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Towson State University, from 1991 to 1992.

Keith Tabatznik guided Georgetown University soccer to national prominence during his 22 years as head coach. Finishing with 220 wins, Tabatznik is Georgetown soccer’s all-time win leader and finished among the top 35 active collegiate coaches in wins. In 1994, Tabatznik was named the South Atlantic Region and BIG EAST Coach of the Year after leading the Hoyas to an 18-4 record and the school's first-ever berth in the NCAA Championship as well as its first BIG EAST Regular Season Title. Thirteen former Hoyas have become professional players. He has also been an integral part of U.S. youth soccer development programs. In 2004 he was appointed as the Director of the MSYSA-ODP - a position he had held previously from 1989 to 1997. In two years Maryland became one of the elite ODP programs in the nation again, winning a National Championship and placing 34 players into the regional pools. Tabatznik also served three years as the U.S. National Amateur Team Head Coach and in 1997 was selected as the Region I and National Coach of the Year. Keith holds a USSF "A" Coaching License and is currently a staff instructor for US Soccer state license and National "C" license courses. He is also is an analyst on Fox Soccer Channel for college games of the week as well as a guest commentator for Comcast sports and DC United pre and post game shows. His most recent soccer coaching appointment was as the assistant National Team coach for Bermuda in their recent World Cup qualifying campaign

“We're looking forward to getting things started,” remarked Smith. “It's an exciting idea and a great opportunity.” He went on to explain that the Academy won’t be an alternative to local club teams but a valuable resource for them and their players: “Crystal Palace is looking to establish a training academy which will work in tandem with the club teams of participating players - the Academy will give these young players the opportunity to improve their skills by training one or two days a week with us, as well as periodically playing professional youth teams outside their club commitment. We want to get the input of club teams as we work with their players.” Smith pointed out that he’s his colleague is no stranger: “Keith and I have worked together for many years at ODP and we’ve run a training camp business together for a long time. A lot of college and other coaches have already been in touch and are they’re excited about the idea of the Academy.”

“I’m looking forward to the new challenge at Crystal Palace USA and to helping the development of the game,” said Tabtznik. “One of the main reasons I left Georgetown was to get more involved in the development of youth soccer.” He explained why the transition to the new job won’t be difficult: “I go back many, many years with Matt so I know that will make it more enjoyable. Having known Pete from coaching him as a youth, and knowing Jim from a coaching course I taught, the relationship with the guys at Crystal Palace is already established.” Pete Medd and Jim Cherneski are Co-Managers of Crystal Palace USA. Medd also serves as the club’s President, while Cherneski is its Founder and Sporting Director.

The Crystal Palace FC USA Professional Development Academy’s mission is: (i) to identify talented youth soccer players and provide them with professional soccer instruction based on the experience and success of the Crystal Palace FC Youth Academy in England, widely regarded as one of the best Academies in the UK; (ii) to provide unparalleled opportunities in the game of soccer within the Crystal Palace FC pyramid, both domestically and abroad through international travel and matches against Premier League youth opposition, exposure to college coaches and campuses and the college process, and the opportunity to be seen by head North American and European youth scouts for major European and American professional clubs; (iii) to influence the game of soccer in a positive way in the Greater Baltimore Metro area by sharing our passion and knowledge of the sport.

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