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Intro

When Miguel Brunengo first arrived at Blau Weiss Gottschee in 2002, he wasn’t chasing trophies. He was chasing something rarer — a club culture obsessed with developing intelligent, fearless players who could think for themselves.

“Gottschee stood out because it valued the player over the scoreboard,” Brunengo said. “True development happens when players are given both structure and freedom — when discipline meets creativity.”

That balance defines what Brunengo calls The Gottschee Way: a system built on technical excellence, tactical understanding, and personal accountability. For the club’s Technical Director, it’s not just about producing professionals — it’s about producing people.

The Gottschee Way

At the heart of Gottschee’s philosophy is ball mastery. From the youngest age groups, players are taught to control the game under pressure — no panic, no shortcuts. “Being comfortable in tight spaces is non-negotiable,” Brunengo said. “Once they’ve mastered that, we build tactical awareness and decision-making. Creativity comes from confidence.”

That same ethos extends across both the boys’ and girls’ programs, including the club’s competitive teams that play in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) up to its elite MLS NEXT squads. “We hold the same technical standards,” Brunengo explained. “But we adapt the process — for the girls’ program, we focus more on tempo, creativity, and decision-making in spaces that mirror the college and pro environments.”

Pathway to the Pros

Gottschee’s affiliation with the New York Red Bulls Academy Affiliate Program gives players a direct connection to MLS-level training and exposure. But Brunengo stresses that only part of the equation lies in talent.

“We identify potential early, but mentality is everything,” he said. “Work rate, focus, resilience — those are the traits that carry players from promise to performance.”

The partnership with Red Bulls provides shared resources, coach education, and evaluation systems that push players to meet professional standards. Yet Brunengo insists that the ultimate mission remains broader: “Every player should leave Gottschee more prepared — whether that means a college pitch, a pro locker room, or a lifelong relationship with the game.”

Success and the Lessons That Stick

Names like Timothy Weah and Jack McGlynn have become shorthand for what Gottschee can produce: technically sharp, tactically smart, humble players who thrive under pressure. “Their fundamentals were exceptional,” Brunengo said. “But what set them apart was mentality — discipline and humility.”

He’s just as quick to mention the ones who didn’t quite make it. “We’ve learned a lot from players who came close but fell short,” he reflected. “It’s often about consistency and mindset. That’s why we now focus just as much on the mental and leadership sides of development as we do on the ball.”

What’s Next for NYC’s Original Player Factory

Brunengo sees both opportunity and tension in New York’s exploding youth soccer scene. “This city’s energy and diversity make it one of the best incubators for talent anywhere,” he said. “But access and affordability are still the biggest barriers.”

To stay ahead, Gottschee is doubling down on inclusion and innovation — expanding community outreach, improving coach education, and using technology to individualize development.

“Our goal is simple,” Brunengo said. “Keep producing smart, creative, fearless players who embody what New York soccer is all about.”