Monroe University Bronx

Mickey Cohen enters his first season with the Monroe Express, bringing a world of experience to the program, having been a coach of youth and professionals for four decades.

His extensive career began in 1964 playing midfield for Francis Lewis HS in Queens, NY. His first coaching experience came in 1968 at Boys HS in Brooklyn, NY, where he coached from 1968-1976.

He began his goalkeeping career at LIU Brooklyn, coached by Joe Machnik. At LIU, he captained the Blackbirds to two NCAA final Four appearances, one of the most successful soccer achievements in LIU’s distinguished history.

Cohen was also two sport athlete at LIU. He played three seasons as a catcher on the baseball team. In 1968, the Blackbirds were 22-2 and ranked #1 amongst college division teams.

Cohen’s first international playing experience began with his selection as goalkeeper and captain of two American teams at the 1969 & 1973 Maccabiah Games in Israel. One of Mickey’s teammates was Shep Messing and they began a lifelong professional and personal relationship.

Cohen began his professional career in 1972. He played in the ASL (American Soccer League), the NASL (North American Soccer League) and the MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League).

Cohen coached in the MISL with the NY Arrows. The games were played at the Nassau Coliseum in hockey style arenas hoping to increase the scoring in games. Mickey coached both Zoltan Toth and Shep Messing, two of the most distinguished and talented goalkeepers in US professional soccer. The NY Arrows won the first four MISL championships.

In 1988, Mickey received his USSF coaching license from former US national and FIFA master coach Dettmar Cramer: who's responsible for establishing the US national coaching licensing system.

From 2000-2010, Mickey coached at MLK in NYC. MLK won 9 NYC championships. Mickey’s first goalkeeper at MLK was Bouna Condoul, captain and National GK of Senegal. His last was Jean Carlo Perez of Monroe College Mustangs a first team All-American NJCAA 2011.

Since 2011, Mickey coached at the Monroe College Mustangs in New Rochelle. Two of his players were Giorgi Mandzula and Amare Thomas. He is looking forward to helping Giorgi and Amare with the new challenge of creating a successful soccer program in the Bronx with the Monroe Express.