The Princeton Youth Soccer League was founded by local parents looking to provide an opportunity for kids in Princeton to play recreational soccer. It is built on the desires to build community and teach teamwork, sportsmanship, and skill development in a fun, approachable way.
About Us:
Darren Gorden and Jen Freedman are the parents of three children (ages 4, 6, and 8). Their two older children attend Riverside Elementary School. Darren has been involved in the community as a baseball coach and is passionate about providing opportunities for kids to explore a variety of sports in a fun environment. Growing up in Massachusetts, he loved playing all different sports, including soccer, baseball, basketball, and tennis. Jen grew up in Princeton playing soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. She fondly remembers her days playing recreation soccer and wants to help bring back that experience for others. They look forward to continuing to build opportunities for kids to grow and learn through youth sports.
Brett Gaudin is the father of a 7-year old at Community Park, and 4-year old preschooler at Crossroads. Brett grew up in Evansville, Indiana and moved to Princeton with his wife, Tina, two years ago after many years living/working in NYC. Brett is passionate about the power of sports to positively influence communities and children, drawing from his own experiences playing youth soccer, basketball, and baseball.
Ammar Shallal brings a unique blend of entrepreneurship, strategic thinking, and community engagement to the Princeton Youth Soccer League. Growing up playing youth soccer with his dad as his coach, Ammar developed a lifelong love for the sport that carried him through high school and into club soccer in college. A devoted husband and father of two young boys, Ammar understands the importance of balancing fun, learning, and safety in youth sports. His leadership ensures that the PYSL provides a welcoming environment where kids can develop skills, confidence, and lifelong friendships—just like he did.
Elan Daniel helps develop the soccer curriculum and helps the coaches and teams build a fun and educational environment. He lives in Princeton with his wife, Jamie, who is an Associate Professor of Non-Profit Management at NYU, and their daughter, who attends Riverside Elementary. Elan grew up in Princeton, where he played for Princeton Middle School (then Witherspoon), Princeton High School, and club teams. He spent a summer in Bolivia playing and training with the Tahuichi Academy. His PHS team won the State Championship in 1995, and he played for the German American Kicker team that won the U19 club State Championship in 1996. He went on to play for Mercer County Community College in 1997 when the team finished second in the NJCAA tournament. He also played with some semi-professional teams locally and trained with professional teams before ending his playing career. Elan's coaching background started in high school with the Bob Smith soccer camps. He has since coached several different places and ages. He coached the entire U9 girls age group (three teams) and a high school boys program in Indianapolis, before moving back to Princeton, where he coached at PFC for the past two years. Elan holds a USSF 'D' coaching license.