Founder and Executive Director of Armada Futbol Club, Gabe Graham has played soccer since age 5. He started with a premier club in East Northport, located in Long Island N.Y. He was coached by a highly respected former Olympic and National team player named John Pinezich. Gabe still attests that he was the best coach he ever had. Gabe played under him for 6 years and they were successful on every level.
Gabe moved to Nashville in 1985 and played for several different travel clubs over the 5 years that led up to high school. He was fortunate enough to have good coaching and great teammates and achieved much success. Gabe was a part of the ODP (Olympic Development Program) for several years during this time as well.
He was a 4-year varsity starter and forward for the Hillwood High School Soccer Team. He was a captain and contributed to the Team achieving a regional championship. He went on to play in college at MTSU in Murfreesboro.
Gabe then began playing in adult leagues and coaching boys club soccer, for what was then called N.Y.S.A., Sting. He coached Sting boys from age 10 up until high school level. He coached many years and various age groups of recreational soccer for H.Y.S.A. from 1996-2008. He was also an assistant coach for HFC U-10 girls travel club 2004-2005. And continued at HFC coaching a travel girls’ team from 2005-2007.
Gabe coached two ‘98 travel girls teams for TNFC (Tennessee Futbol Club) in Franklin, TN from 2008-2010. His team was a finalist in the 2009 State Championship and State Champions in 2010. State Finalist in 2015 with U14 Boys and the FCA ‘03 girls’ team were State Champs in 2016. and 2017.
Over the years, Gabe was the Head Coach for Ensworth High School Boys soccer team in 2009, 2010. That same year, he was also the assistant Coach for the Ensworth High School Girls Soccer Team.
He was the Head Coach for Ensworth Middle School Boys team in 2008, 2009, 2010. Gabe coached them to their first ever and only HVAC Championship in school history!
He was the Head Coach for Harpeth F.C. ‘98 girls, ‘97 boys, and ‘99 girls and assistant for ‘96 boys in 2011, 2012. Gabe coached the ‘98 girls in their first year of D2 level play outscoring all state opponents 20 to 1 and achieving ranking of #1 Nationally in “Soccer In College”.
In 2017-2018 Gabe coached the ’06 Premier Girls, ’06 Elite Girls, ’03 Girls, and ‘02 Girls Armada teams at FC Academy.
Gabe is currently coaching the ’07 Girls, ’06 Girls and ’03 Girls teams at Armada Futbol Club.
He holds a State E, National D, and NSCAA National license (equivalent to “National C) at present. His licensing allows him to coach any level of soccer.
