MCG UNITED SOCCER ACADEMY: July 20-24

The McG United Soccer Academy is a long-running youth soccer camp held in Auburn, Maine, serving players from beginner to advanced levels across the Lewiston-Auburn area. It’s one of the better-known summer soccer development programs in central Maine and is especially respected for its strong local coaching staff and player-development focus. McG United Soccer Academy was founded by longtime Lewiston High School coach Mike “McG” McGraw. McGraw coached high school soccer in Maine for over four decades and built a reputation as one of the state’s most respected soccer educators.

Group

Youth

Intermediate

Elite

Age

5-7

8-11

12-17

Time

9am-11:30am

9am-2:00pm

9am-3:00pm

Community Impact

MCG Academy is important in the Lewiston-Auburn soccer ecosystem because it:

  • Connects youth players with experienced coaches

  • Uses local high school and college players as mentors

  • Supports soccer growth in Maine’s immigrant and multicultural communities

  • Helps bridge recreational and competitive soccer pathways

Soccer participation in Lewiston-Auburn has grown steadily over the years, and programs like McG Academy are considered part of that growth.

Training Style

The academy emphasizes:

  • Ball mastery

  • Passing and receiving

  • Small-sided games

  • Decision making

  • Tactical awareness

  • Speed of play

  • Creativity under pressure

Unlike many recreational camps, McG is known locally for blending technical instruction with real-game scenarios rather than repetitive drills only.

  • Kids new to soccer

  • Recreational players wanting skill improvement

  • Travel and club players

  • Middle school and high school athletes preparing for fall soccer

  • Competitive players seeking advanced instruction

  • Technical skill development

  • Summer conditioning

  • Local player networking

  • Players aiming for varsity soccer

Good fit for:

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Mike McGraw: had been the varsity boys’ soccer coach for Lewiston High School for 37 years. He has been named SMAA and KVAC soccer coach of the year numerous times. He was the Maine Soccer Coaches coach of the Year 4 times. Twice named Region 1 (New England) Coach Of The Year for the United Soccer Coaches of America. His teams have been nationally ranked (# 17 in 2015 & # 23 in 2018) .

Butch Dow: Goalkeeper specialist who brings a wealth of experience, inspiration and motivation to all those who wish to excel in this position. This is especially for those players at the high school level. Contact Coach Dow bdowywca@yahoo.com for more information.

Eric Wagner: Swarthmore College of Swarthmore, PA Men’s Soccer coach is known for his ability to build successful college programs. Coach Wagner is an excellent teacher of the game. Every third year he takes his team to another continent for preseason and community service in the hosting country.

Dan Gish: Boys’ varsity coach at Lewiston High School. He also was named Maine Physical Education Teacher of the year for 2018. He has been a LAYSA coach for both boys and girls teams. Played for Limestone High School and the University of Farmington.

AbdiJabar Hersi: Former assistant coach with the Lewiston High School varsity soccer is presently the Head coach of Wahda United Football Club. He played for Lewiston High School and Husson University. He was an assistant coach at USM and coached Seacoast Travel.

Don Plourde: an enthusiastic, charismatic dynamo of a coach. He excels with young players. Don is a varsity baseball coach at Cony High School. He played soccer for the Blue Devils and St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Me.

Caleb Leino: Lewiston High School assistant coach. E was a Lewiston High School 3-year varsity player and 4-year varsity starter for the University of Southern Maine.

Staff