Anthony Brenner

Anthony Brenner Associate Director Player, Coaching Education

Anthony Brenner is a former collegiate and professional athlete, lifelong mentor, and the founder of Anthony Brenner Coaching. Born and raised in High Point, North Carolina, Anthony’s understanding of development began long before his professional career — shaped by growing up as the oldest of six children, in a family where four siblings competed at the Division I level. From an early age, he was immersed in the realities of competition, pressure, support, and the critical role family plays in an athlete’s growth.

Anthony attended East Carolina University, where he began coaching while still a student. Following college, he spent seven years competing professionally, experiences that deeply influenced how he understands preparation, performance, and responsibility under pressure.

He began coaching at the age of 22 and has since worked across a wide range of developmental and high-performance environments — from youth and academy settings to collegiate and semi-professional levels, as well as leadership roles focused on mentorship and program development. Now at age 55, Anthony works privately with families and individuals across the United States and internationally, supporting not only skill development, but confidence, awareness, and decision-making in demanding environments.

Over the past decade, Anthony has also supported more than 40 players in pursuing trials in Europe, most notably in Germany. Rather than viewing these opportunities as guarantees or outcomes, he uses them as a way to help players and families develop clarity, intentionality, and motivation. In his experience, having a clear and tangible vision for the future — even one that simply represents possibility — is a powerful catalyst for focus, discipline, and growth in the present.

What distinguishes Anthony’s work is not a single method, but the way he integrates technical development with emotional regulation, awareness, and presence. His background in mindfulness and meditation informs his coaching quietly and intentionally, helping athletes and parents navigate pressure, setbacks, and ambition with greater steadiness and perspective.

Anthony is also the author of Contemplay, a reflective guide written for coaches, leaders, and mentors — rooted in the belief that how we guide young people matters as much as what we teach them. (Amazon)

At the core of Anthony’s work is a simple principle:

lasting development happens when skill, awareness, and responsibility grow together — within an environment that feels intentional, supportive, and human.

Real Feedback

**Parent of a 2010 Player at Barça Academy**

(Previously at Charlotte FC. Helped him with trials and signing at both.)

Working with you has been a gift, and we’re so thankful that you have been a part of our lives and Holden’s for so long. We can’t believe it’s been 7 years.

There are many of these moments, but Anthony always redirects Holden’s immediate concerns and problems—whether in regard to teammates, a coach, or an issue on the field—in a positive manner, helping him to look for the truth, the lesson in the challenging situation, and/or the opportunity to grow from the situation.

Holden’s work with Anthony has always helped him on and off the field. It has prepared him to handle a large variety of situations while keeping him grounded and focused. Holden is a stronger and much more intentional person and player because of his work with Anthony.

As parents, we have learned so much about supporting our son through both challenging and triumphant situations. Most importantly, we have learned how impactful our actions and words can be.

**Parent of a 2004 Goalkeeper**

(Graduated from Princeton; previously at FC Dallas. Helped him with trial and signing at FC Dallas.)

As a parent, it’s almost instinctive to want to see your child victorious. Wins seem to prove that they’ve worked hard, that they’re talented, accomplished, elevated—maybe even elite. But if I’m honest, that desire often masks something deeper. We’re innately conditioned to protect our children—from danger, pain, sorrow, and failure. And on some level, we want them to win because when they do, it means they’re spared the sting of defeat. Victory feels like a shield.

It was in this sense that I had one of the most profound moments of realization, amazement, and gratitude in my journey as a parent with my son—and with Anthony. Anthony trained him physically, refined his skills, promoted him through his professional network, and opened doors that led him to the MLS developmental league and Division I soccer in the Ivy League. By the end of his career, he had won two Ivy League championships, advanced to two NCAA College Cup championships, and recorded over 80 saves while competing alongside a high school All-American—one of the most athletic and talented goalkeepers in the country.

Yet it wasn’t until his career concluded, at the awards ceremony, that I truly understood the depth of what had happened. Yes, he had been successful in every conventional sense. But it was “all the other things” I learned about that revealed the real victory.

I heard stories of how, every week he didn’t start, he would still deliver detailed scouting reports on the opponent to the starters. How he hosted recruits on their campus visits—sometimes staying up all night with them due to early-morning flights, and then personally seeing them back to the train to make sure they caught the right one. How he warmed up his teammate with passion after being pulled at halftime, despite having played well himself. Player after player spoke about his leadership, his devotion, and the accountability he modeled.

That day, he was awarded the university’s highest honor for character, work ethic, and competitive spirit. In that moment, I realized this journey had never been about “winning,” “succeeding,” or “victory” in the way I once thought. Anthony had done far more than develop a player—he had equipped my son with the spirit, mind, and heart to be the best version of himself, in all ways, in all circumstances. That was the real triumph.

**Parent of a 2007 Player**

(Currently playing at Orlando City Academy and committed to Northwestern.)

We first heard about Coach Anthony from another player who was watching my son’s game. I had been worried about my son’s intense emotional reactions to both the highs and lows of the game. This player—clearly speaking from experience—confidently suggested I call Anthony, explaining that he had helped another athlete channel those emotions into focus, composure, and better performance on the field. That was all I needed to hear. I reached out, and that’s how our family’s relationship with Coach Anthony began.

From the start, Anthony approached things differently. Before even meeting my son, he drove to our home to talk with me first—coach to mom. Over the years, my son had worked with plenty of coaches, but most were focused on one dimension: winning games. I felt that much of the coaching he received lacked emphasis on emotional discipline, leadership, consistency, and preparation—the deeper qualities that shape great players.

I admitted to Anthony that I often tried to fill in those gaps myself because I believed so strongly in my son’s potential and wanted him to reach his goals of playing at a high level. But this often caused tension between us—he wanted me to just be his mom, and truthfully, I wanted that too. Still, I worried that without someone reinforcing discipline and professionalism on and off the field, he might fall short of his dreams. Anthony understood. More importantly, he made me believe my son could trust him in ways that allowed me to step back into just being Mom again.

That word—trust—came up often in those early conversations. Anthony knew it had to be earned. Their relationship began on the field—playing, talking, and building that connection one moment at a time. From there, my son started private sessions where Anthony slowed the game down for him in ways he had never experienced before. The meticulous attention to shooting and passing technique paid off. My son also joined Anthony’s small group sessions, where the camaraderie and shared purpose among the young men was something special.

Anthony’s coaching went far beyond drills. They spoke often—on and off the field—about upcoming games, MLS academy trials, meditation, and mindfulness techniques. Before tournaments, Anthony sent my son detailed preparation, nutrition, and recovery plans. Even when my son didn’t follow every instruction to the letter, Anthony was laying the groundwork for what it truly means to be an elite athlete. Slowly, my son began turning to Anthony for advice on injuries, big decisions, and life off the pitch. He had become a mentor in the fullest sense.

Sometimes, Anthony included me in their conversations, which was invaluable. It helped my son understand my perspective, my intentions, and that my guidance was rooted in wanting him to reach his dreams. I’ll never forget one conversation where Anthony told my son that if he didn’t prepare, play, and recover in a complete way, he’d be risking his potential. He also reminded him that “the universe will keep giving you the same lesson until you learn it.” Those words became a touchstone for us both.

Today, my son is playing for a top MLS academy, and I see daily how Anthony’s guidance has prepared him. He has adapted to a new home, built meaningful relationships with teammates, learned to advocate for himself with staff, embraced constructive coaching, and—most importantly—gained confidence as a player, leader, and person. I am deeply proud of his growth and grateful for Anthony’s influence in helping him navigate this journey with both skill and heart.

**Parents of a 2007 Player**

(Currently playing at Orlando City Academy. Helped him secure the trial and signing.)

I think it was exceptionally impactful to see his growth on a daily basis, not one specific thing in particular. In talking to Zak daily after you started working with him, I found that he was more in tune with his emotions and wanted to work on things he hadn’t paid attention to in the past or didn’t want to improve personally.

From a parent perspective, I noticed the change immediately. My son found it very difficult to deal with his emotions on and off the field, and although not perfect, he is much more mature now. I think he has found a way to cope with difficult situations that he was unable to deal with in the past. Anthony really got through to him on and off the field, and because of his growth, I feel our relationship—my son and I—is much stronger now too.

His work with our family forced me to look at myself and how I was handling my son’s volatile emotional situation. After talking with Anthony and seeing what my son was going through on and off the field, he made me realize I wasn’t helping the situation and, in some ways, was making it worse. Because of the changes both my son and I have made, he is now living his dream of playing at an MLS academy, and I have learned to simply be a parent rather than trying to coach him. We are both truly happier and owe much of that happiness to the work Anthony has done and continues to do. Still a work in progress, but we are so much happier now.

“Working with Coach Anthony has been a game changer for my development. His technical training immediately elevated my attention to detail. Every session has a clear purpose; whether the session is specific to my weak foot, different techniques with passing, or even touch work based on my position. The progress I’ve made technically is undeniable.

Beyond the physical side, his mental performance and preparation work has been the most important aspect to my improvement. He’s helped me develop routines that allow me to perform at my best. Examples include meditation before bed, breath work, manifestation, and journaling. I’m more focused, professional, confident, and far better prepared mentally than I was before working with him.

He’s also been instrumental in guiding me through the scouting process. Reaching out to teams and coaches, just like an agent would. Making sure the work I do on the pitch doesn’t go unnoticed. I am currently on trial with an MLS Next Pro Club, and he can set up future trials in the German Bundesliga. Having someone with his experience in my corner has been instrumental to the start of my career. I’m extremely grateful for his guidance and would highly recommend Coach Anthony to any athlete serious about improving their performance and taking the next step in their career.”