ABOUT US | United States | Nations United Soccer

Mission Statement

Nations United Soccer is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to help refugee and immigrant children and teens overcome adversity through soccer.

Who We Are

Mary Karol Taylor

Founder & Director

Mary Karol has taught at South Jr. High in Boise, Idaho for 22 years, teaching English and Reading. She is currently South’s school librarian. Nations United FC was established in 2016 after conversations with two of her refugee students revealed their deep love of soccer and their lack of opportunities to play.

Matt Trejo

Co-Director

Matt Trejo is a Science teacher at Hillside Junior High. He also teaches a classes for English Language Learners the are part Hillside's Bridge Program. He's been with the Boise School District for 6 years.

Abdi Osman
Coach U-17

Hey! My name is Osman! I am a 25 year old former refugee from Somali. My family and I traveled here in 2008, 4 years later I applied and received my citizenship. I have been married for 2 years to my wife, Lusacia. I am currently an escrow agent for Idaho Housing and Finance, and a Delta ramp agent. As a former high school soccer player and current indoor league player, I was eager to get involved with coaching for Nations United. I have thoroughly enjoyed helping these kids sharpen their skills over the last two seasons! I am honored to be the head coach this season, and look forward to the duration of our season.

Moses Muyumbe Mukengezi
Coach U-19

Moses Mukengezi was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and developed his passion for soccer by playing in the streets with his siblings and friends. In 2007, Moses and his family moved to Boise. One of the first things he did was find a soccer field and luckily enough Idaho Rush Soccer Club had teams playing at those fields. He played soccer for Idaho Rush and Boise High School until graduating and moving on to play at Treasure Valley Community College for 2 years. After coming back to Boise to complete his bachelor’s degree in sociology at Boise State University. Nations United gives him the opportunity to combine his two passions of soccer and helping the refugee community while sharing his passion for soccer with kids that are just like he was.

Crystal White
Coach U-9 & U-10 Girls

Hi, I’m Crystal and I LOVE coaching and playing soccer. I’m honored to always be a mentor to families and kiddos of minorities and from disadvantaged backgrounds. I’m also a mom of four who are part of my army to spread love and build a better community. I’m still young at 39, but when I grow up I want to backpack around the world, snowboard and play soccer till my legs don’t work. I also LOVE all things purple, reading, yoga, and Mother Earth ;-) Plus a lot of other cool stuff! ~It’s not how much you have that makes you rich, it’s how much you give 🌸

Jessica Oaks

Coach U-14 Girls

Jessica grew up playing soccer here in the Boise area. She played club with Les Bois United which has since merged into FC Nova, and also played varsity 4 years at Boise High School. Jessica’s freshman year of college she attended Seattle Pacific University on a soccer scholarship, however, her sophomore year she decided to leave the soccer field and pursue her dream of learning Spanish and traveling. She studied abroad in San Sebastian, Spain where she was immersed in Spanish and futbol culture. Today, apart from working with Nations United, Jessica works as a Spanish teacher at Hillside Junior High. Nations United gives Jessica the opportunity to engage in 3 of her biggest passions: engaging with other cultures, working with young adults, and soccer.

Chynna Woodruff
Coach U-10 Girls

Rhys Yeakley
Competetive 2006

My name is Rhys Yeakley. I grew up in Bangor, Maine and played soccer for my high school varsity team and with my many adopted younger siblings. I love that soccer is an international sport and can bring people together. I have been coaching high school soccer in this area since 2011, and with the Caldwell High School boys program since 2013. Our hard work at CHS, on and off the field, helped us win the 4A State Championship in 2018 and 2019. I am excited for the opportunity to coach for the Nations United program and grow my soccer family.

Chynna was raised on the island of Maui and started playing soccer at a young age. She was selected to play on the Hawaii State team for the Olympic Development Program and played varsity soccer as a freshman for her high school. After moving to Boise she played for Borah High School.

While in college earning her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology (Minor in Health) she spent several years coaching youth soccer. As the proud daughter of an immigrant, Chynna is grateful for the opportunity to give back and share her love for the game.

Kenji Wright
Coach U-10 and U-12 Boys

Kenji is a local carpenter who owns his own remodeling business in Boise. He is married and has two sons. Since early childhood Kenji has enjoyed playing soccer. He was able to meet many people, visit interesting places, and learn life lessons that extended beyond the field. He wants all kids to have an equal opportunity to play organized soccer and develop their soccer skills, while learning to be part of a team and a community.

TEAMS