MENTORSHIP
Talent opens doors. Mindset keeps them open. Our mentors are former MLS and US Men's National Team players who have lived the highs and lows of the game, and now help young players handle pressure, bounce back from setbacks and play with confidence.
Every session is virtual, one-on-one and built around one player's goals.
1-ON-1 VIRTUAL SOCCER MENTORSHIP
Build the mindset that takes your game to the next level
Who it’s for
We mentor boys and girls from age 8 to 22, from junior academies and travel teams to college programs and pro contracts. Field players and goalkeepers alike work one-on-one with a former MLS pro who has been where they are. Wherever your player is in the game, the next step usually depends less on talent than on how they handle pressure, setbacks and the moments that decide games.
Mentorship is a good fit if your player:
Plays well in training but tightens up in games
Is coming back from an injury, getting cut or losing a starting spot
Is moving up a level (a new club, ECNL, MLS NEXT, high school varsity or college) and feels the jump
Gets in their own head after mistakes, or lets one bad play turn into a bad game
Is starting the college recruiting process and wants a calm, honest guide
Has the talent and the work ethic, and wants an edge most players never get
Parents are part of the process too. We’re happy to talk through how to support your player at home, too.
How it works
01
Book an intro session
Pick a mentor and a time that works for you. Sessions are virtual, so you can join from anywhere.
02
Set the goals
In the first session your mentor gets to know the player: their level, their history and what is holding them back. Together you agree on two or three things to work on.
03
Work on the mental game
Each session pairs honest conversation with practical tools, like pre-game routines, ways to reset after a mistake and habits that build confidence. Players often leave with a small assignment to keep the work going between sessions.
04
Keep it going
Most players get the biggest impact from meeting with their mentor every 2–3 weeks. There’s no fixed schedule; you book the next session when it’s right for you.
What we work on
Every program is built around one player, but most of our work falls into a few areas:
Confidence
playing freely instead of playing not to make mistakes
Handling pressure
staying calm in big games, tryouts and showcases
Habits and routines
pre-game routines, preparation and consistency
Decision-making
reading the game and playing faster, using video from our BGTV library when it helps
Resilience
bouncing back from errors, losses, injuries and being cut
Growth mindset
treating feedback and setbacks as fuel
Leadership
communicating on the field and leading by example
We don’t run on-field training, and we’re not scouts or recruiters. We focus on the part of the game that club and team environments rarely have time to teach: what happens between a player’s ears.
Choose your session
Start with a single session to see if it’s the right fit, or choose a package if you already know you want ongoing support. Every option is one-on-one, virtual and tailored to your player.
Meet your mentors
Beyond Goals was founded in 2021 by Michael Parkhurst and Greg Garza, teammates on Atlanta United’s 2018 MLS Cup-winning team. Across their careers they saw talented players stall, and found the difference was usually mentality and decision-making, the two hardest parts of the game to teach.
Greg Garza, Co-Founder + Mentor
Greg grew up in Texas and moved to Brazil at 12 to play for São Paulo FC. He came through the US U17 Residency Program and played in the U17 World Cup before turning pro. His career took him to Portugal and then to Club Tijuana, where he won Liga MX in 2012. In 2017 he joined Atlanta United, where he was named an MLS All-Star and won the MLS Cup.
Greg is an ambassador for Special Olympics and Soccer in the Streets, a dad of three soccer-playing boys and trilingual (English, Spanish and Portuguese), so he can mentor in all three languages.
Michael Parkhurst, Co-Founder + Mentor
Michael grew up in Rhode Island, attended IMG Academy and started all 62 games of his career at Wake Forest. He signed a Generation Adidas contract and was named MLS Rookie of the Year (2005) and Defender of the Year (2007). After six years playing in Europe he returned to MLS, captaining the Columbus Crew and Atlanta United and leading Atlanta to the 2018 MLS Cup.
Michael earned 25 caps for the US Men’s National Team, played on the 2008 US Olympic team and was a six-time MLS All-Star. Today he is co-founder of Rhode Island FC and Beyond Goals.
What families say
Michael Parkhurst has mentored our son through MLS Academy and D1 soccer. We highly recommend BGM for all highly committed, passionate players. Their experience is invaluable to all young footballers dealing with the highs and lows of an elite soccer career.
Jeanne Howard
Coach Greg has a special way of coaching that feels part storytelling, part mentor, part best friend. He fills the hour with special gems of knowledge I hope my son holds onto forever. The homework helps keep the learning going, too!
Kori Smith
BGM has helped my son grow mentally strong during his GK soccer career. The mentoring is inspiring and helped my son approach his challenges strong mentally and physically. I highly recommend Beyond Goals.
Adrian Menchaca
Frequently asked questions
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There’s no set schedule. In our experience, the biggest impact comes from meeting with a mentor every 2–3 weeks, which gives players time to put what they learn into practice between sessions.
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We work with players from age 8 to 22, from junior academies through to college and pro contracts. Younger players usually focus on confidence and enjoying the game; older players often focus on pressure, setbacks and the jump to the next level.
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All mentoring sessions are virtual, so players can work with a former pro from anywhere. There are occasional opportunities for an in-person session.
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Coaches and trainers work on technique, fitness and tactics. We work on the mental side: confidence, decision-making, handling pressure and bouncing back. We don’t run on-field training, though we occasionally host events and camps, and some of our partners offer on-field sessions.
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We’re not scouts, recruiters or coaches, but we help players take the right steps toward playing in college, from managing the pressure of the process to preparing for showcases. For a dedicated recruiting plan, see our College Pathway program.
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Results depend on the player and what they’re working on. Many mentees see a difference right away, because playing with the right mindset can unlock a player quickly. Lasting change comes from consistent sessions over a season.
Want a former MLS pro in your corner?
Book an intro session with Michael or Greg and start building the mindset that carries your game, and your player, to the next level.