Kai Haaskivi is regarded as many as one of the most well respected coaches and footballing pioneers of his generation. From scoring a goal against the immortal Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff to being one of the founders for IMG Academy's world renowned soccer program, Kai has left an ongoing legacy that has helped shape and transition US Soccer into the modern era. Kai Haaskivi is considered “One of the greatest soccer minds in the country."

 

Born and raised in Finland, Kai's exposure to soccer started early in life as his father, Olavi, served as the Director of Coaching for the Finnish Football Association for over 35 years. Although raised in a soccer family, Kai ’s individual prominence in soccer began in the early 1970's as a member of the Finnish National Team from 1977 to 1984. Kai earned his first cap on the Finnish National Team in 1977 and continued in the National spotlight for years including playing in 1978 and 1986 World Cup qualifying matches and for 1980 European Championships.

 

Kai's professional coaching experience is unmatched. He has coached at the professional, national team, collegiate, and youth levels. He worked as the GM and Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Division 1 of the United Soccer League (USL) and as the Head Men’s and Women’s Soccer Coach at Myers University. Kai also served as an assistant coach for two different U.S. U-17 National teams including top American talent like Taylor Twellman, Landon Donovan, Demarcus Beasley and Kyle Beckerman. Kai was the first Technical Director of the IMG Soccer Academy and the first Head Coach of the Bradenton Academics of the USL PDL. He served as the Head Scout for the US Soccer Federation’s Project 2010, as the Director of Coaching for Cleveland United and Braden River Soccer Club. Kai holds National Coaching Certification with   A-Youth (the first in the country to receive the license in the nation), A, B, and National Youth licenses. Currently, Kai serves as youth national team scout for the US Soccer Federation. In 2018, Kai joined FA Euro as the Director of Scouting and Director of Coaching Education.