Mario Mrakovic
- Founder, San Diego Futsal & the Mrakovic Method
- Surf Juniors Director, San Diego Surf Soccer Club
Most coaches treat the youngest age groups as a first step on the way to older, more competitive teams. Mario Mrakovic made them his career. For more than two decades he has worked with players at the very start of the pathway, roughly ages 4 to 10, bringing a European academy background, a professional playing career and top U.S. coaching licenses to kids who are just learning to love the ball.
- Founded
- San Diego Futsal / Mrakovic Method, 1995
- Current role
- Surf Juniors Director, San Diego Surf Soccer Club
- Licenses
- U.S. Youth Soccer National "A" · U.S. Futsal National "Level 1" · Coerver Youth Diplomas
- Playing career
- NK Zagreb & Dinamo Zagreb academies · San Diego Sockers (professional)
- Specialty
- Ages 4–10: ball mastery, futsal, first technical habits
- Based in
- San Diego, California
From Zagreb to the San Diego Sockers
Mario grew up in the Croatian youth system, training in the academies of NK Zagreb and Dinamo Zagreb, two clubs known for producing technically gifted players. That environment shaped how he sees the game: clean technique first, then speed, then tactics.
He went on to play professionally for the San Diego Sockers, where the indoor game demands quick feet, sharp decisions and comfort on the ball in tight spaces. Those same qualities became the backbone of his coaching.
Surf Juniors Director at San Diego Surf
At San Diego Surf Soccer Club, one of the strongest youth clubs in the country, Mario directs Surf Juniors, the program for the club's youngest players. In U.S. soccer, moving up to older ECNL, MLS NEXT or college teams is usually seen as a promotion. Mario chose the opposite: he has stayed with the U5–U9 age groups for over twenty years, because that is where technical habits are formed.
Players who build those foundations go on to Surf's Pre-ECNL and ECNL teams and, for some, much further.
Surf's youth pathway has produced professional players such as Melanie Barcenas, who grew up playing for San Diego Surf and in 2023, at 15, became the youngest player ever to appear in an NWSL match.
A rare profile in American youth soccer
Plenty of coaches have strong credentials, and plenty produce talented players. What is unusual is the combination Mario brings to the youngest age groups:
He stayed with the youngest players
Over twenty years focused on ages 4–10, by choice, at a nationally known club.
European roots, U.S. licenses
A Dinamo Zagreb academy upbringing and a professional indoor career, plus a U.S. Youth Soccer National "A" License, a U.S. Futsal National "Level 1" License and Coerver training, all applied to beginners.
Futsal built into everyday training
Futsal is not a winter side project here. San Diego Futsal runs alongside the Surf Juniors curriculum so kids develop close control, two-footedness and fast decisions from their first touches.
A long view of player development
Because he works at the entry point of a club whose alumni reach the NWSL and the U.S. national teams, he sees what early habits turn into years later.
The Mrakovic Method curriculum
Mario describes his approach as teaching rather than coaching. Technical habits come before tactical complexity, and kids learn by solving problems in game-like situations.
- 01
Body mechanics and footwork first
Every player starts with coordination, balance and basic footwork, whatever their level, before the ball speed goes up.
- 02
High-repetition ball mastery
Maximum touches per player. Dribbling, first touch, 1v1 moves and two-footed finishing are practiced slowly to lock in clean mechanics, then sped up.
- 03
Futsal-style tight spaces
Small grids and small-sided games such as 4v4 force quick decisions, close control under pressure and constant scanning.
- 04
Guided discovery, sharp details
Instead of directing every pass from the sideline, coaches set up the problem, let players find solutions, and correct small technical details in the moment.
- 05
A safe place to take risks
The first goal is a real love for the ball and a strong work ethic. Players are encouraged to try things in 1v1 without fear of mistakes.
San Diego Futsal and the Mrakovic Method
Mario founded San Diego Futsal in 1995. Today the Mrakovic Method runs daily training, clinics, holiday camps and private sessions across San Diego, coached by Mario together with his sons Luka and Dino Mrakovic.
The program uses the same principles as his Surf Juniors work: lots of touches, tight spaces, quick thinking and a positive environment, so a 5-year-old in their first session and a 12-year-old preparing for competitive soccer are both building the same foundation.
Questions about Coach Mario
Who is Mario Mrakovic?
Mario Mrakovic is a San Diego youth soccer and futsal coach. He founded San Diego Futsal and the Mrakovic Method in 1995 and is the Surf Juniors Director at San Diego Surf Soccer Club. He trained in the NK Zagreb and Dinamo Zagreb academies and played professionally for the San Diego Sockers.
What coaching licenses does Mario Mrakovic hold?
He holds a U.S. Youth Soccer National "A" Coaching License and a U.S. Futsal National "Level 1" License, and has Coerver youth coaching training.
What ages does Coach Mario work with?
He specializes in young players, roughly ages 4 to 10, the window where ball mastery and first technical habits are built. Mrakovic Method programs welcome boys and girls from age 4 and up.
How can my child train with Coach Mario?
Check the schedule on mrakovicmethod.com for current training days, camps and prices, then register online. You can also call or text 858.337.9754.
Train with Coach Mario
Daily training, camps and private sessions in San Diego for boys and girls ages 4 and up.