Matteo Polisi

Matteo Polisi is a former Canadian professional soccer player and coach who currently plays as a midfielder for ICSF Columbus FC of the VMSL Premier Division, and will serve as the Head Coach of the U14–U18 Boys Program. With a background that spans youth academies, NCAA soccer, professional leagues, and international experiences, Polisi brings a dynamic blend of high-level playing insight and player development expertise to both his teams and coaching peers.

Polisi began his soccer journey with Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC at age four, progressing through the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy and later the Portland Timbers youth system. He also gained international exposure through training stints with Standard Liège in Belgium and trials with Birmingham City, Derby County, and FC Nürnberg.

At the collegiate level, he starred at Simon Fraser University, scoring 36 goals and registering 18 assists in 52 appearances. His standout performances earned him honors such as GNAC Freshman of the Year, three-time GNAC First Team All-Star, Div. II West Region Player of the Year, and Second Team All-American.

Polisi began his professional career with Pacific FC in the Canadian Premier League, winning the 2021 CPL Championship. He returned to TSS FC Rovers where he was a key player in League1 BC and the Canadian Championship, notably scoring twice in a 2023 upset over Valour FC. He also spent time with Anagennisi Epanomi in Greece’s Gamma Ethniki, gaining valuable European experience.

As Head Coach of ICSF’s U14–U18 boys program, Matteo plays a central role in the club’s competitive development pathway. Working directly alongside Club Head Coach Davide Dallavalle, he will help to shape the technical vision, training standards, and coaching culture for the club’s upper youth age groups.

His responsibilities include:

Player Development: Leading the U14–U18 program by designing and executing high-quality training sessions that emphasize technical ability, tactical awareness, and competitive excellence. Polisi mentors players through a critical phase in their development, preparing them for post-secondary, academy, and professional opportunities.

Coach Collaboration & Leadership: Supporting and mentoring team coaches within the program, ensuring alignment with ICSF’s long-term development model. He provides on-field guidance and fosters collaboration across coaching staff to create consistency in training methodology and match preparation.

Program Alignment: Working closely with Davide Dallavalle, Polisi contributes to the club’s broader technical direction and supports integration between the youth system and senior-level programming. Their partnership ensures a unified philosophy throughout the club, from foundational stages to high-performance environments.

Through his dual role as a professional player and youth coach, Matteo Polisi offers a unique, modern perspective to ICSF—bridging elite-level playing standards with a strong commitment to mentoring both players and fellow coaches. In addition to his playing career, Matteo holds Canada Soccer certifications at all grassroots levels, including Active Start, Fundamentals, Learn to Train, Coaching Soccer in Canada,  and Soccer for Life, reflecting his dedication to age-appropriate coaching and long-term player development.