About Coaching Staff ......
Dominique Thenard (Coach Dom)
BootCamp Coach and Trainer
Coach Dominique Thenard (Coach Dom), has played professionally in France for over 10 years and has coached youth soccer in the United States for more than 25 years. He has trained many players who compete at the highest levels of soccer. His trainees have played for the United States National Teams, including the U20 World Cup team. They have played professionally in Europe and have played for MLS and USL teams. They have competed with State, Regional and ODP teams, and have played on top Academy teams across the state. Many of Coach Dom’s players have gone on to receive soccer scholarships to top D1 schools across the country.
Coach Dom’s success is attributed to his unique personal training style and his passion for developing players and helping them to reach their full potential. Coach Dom has an enthusiasm for soccer that is contagious and inspiring. He infuses this passion into every drill and skill training exercise that he directs. Players and parents are often amazed at Coach Dominique’s personal, hands on approach to each training session. He gets involved in plays and demonstrates exactly what he is asking players to do. Coach Dom demands hard work, rigor and excellence from each player and they respond with enthusiasm.
WeLove Melancholy "Vilma" (Coach Vilma)
Coach Vilma has been passionate about soccer since the age of three. Growing up, she was coached by the well respected Coach Dom and competed at high level throughout her youth. Vilma played varsity soccer for Millbrook High School and competed for Triangle Futbol Club, a premier club that later merged into NCFC. Throughout her club career, she consistently played against older competition, always seeking greater challenges to push personal growth.
Although early in her formal coaching career, Vilma has gained valuable experience stepping in to coach, earning strong support and positive feedback from both players and parents. Known for an energetic, structured and supportive coach style, Vilma brings a "military style' level of discipline and organization that help players thrive both on and off the field.
Christian Lopez (Coach Christian)
Coach Christian holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from East Carolina University, with a specialization in sports science and movement. He integrates this expertise into every training session and development program, focusing on optimizing performance and injury prevention through intentional, science-based coaching.
With over 20 years of combined playing and coaching experience, Christian has worked across youth, collegiate, and pre-professional levels. As a player, he competed with TFCA’s 97’ Select team, was a four-year varsity standout at Green Hope High School—winning a 4A state championship as a freshman—and trained internationally with Antigua GFC U23s in Guatemala.
Christian began coaching at 17, assisting TFCA classic teams before leading East Carolina University’s Men’s Club team to its first regional tournament appearance. He later guided Rogers-Herr Middle School to a conference championship in just his second season. He now coaches in NCFC Youth’s U11/U12 girls classic program and holds a USSF D-License, with plans to earn his C-License in summer 2025.