Staff

Hanson, originally from Ivory Coast, is a dedicated and experienced soccer coach with a strong background in player development and team leadership. He is a graduate of Riverside High School in Buffalo, NY, and Erie Community College, where he competed as a collegiate American football player.

From 2015 to 2019, Hanson played a pivotal role in coaching semi-professional soccer players with Young Star FC and the United Liberian Association (ULA) in Buffalo, NY. His commitment to the sport and strategic approach to coaching have contributed to his teams' success on the field.

As head coach of Upstate United FC, Hanson achieved notable milestones, leading the team to a strong 4-1-5 record in the UPSL and a 1-1-0 performance in the NISA Independent Cup group stage. Under his leadership, Upstate United FC reached the NISA Independent Cup Conference Final, where they competed against Flower City/Salt City Union. His ability to guide teams to high-level competition and foster a winning mentality underscores his impact in the soccer community.

Marissa Curtis is the General Manager and Marketing Director of Upstate United FC, where she leads the club’s operations, marketing strategy, and community engagement efforts. With a passion for soccer and a strong background in business and leadership, she is dedicated to growing the club and fostering a strong soccer culture in the region.

Marissa holds an M.B.A from Le Moyne College, equipping her with expertise in strategic planning, communication, leadership, brand development, and organizational management. Her education has provided her with a strong foundation in business strategy, financial analysis, and operational efficiency, enabling her to drive sustainable growth and innovation. With a deep understanding of market dynamics and stakeholder engagement, she excels in developing high impact strategies that enhance preformance, strengthen brand positioning, as well as fostering long term success.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Marissa remains deeply engaged in the soccer world, advocating for the sports growth and fostering connections within the community.

Fred is a dedicated soccer leader with a strong background in team management and player development. He played a key role in leading the Liberian community soccer team, Syracuse Lonestar FC, which has since evolved into Upstate United FC.

A graduate of Nottingham High School, Fred was a standout varsity soccer player, demonstrating his passion and skill for the game. Originally from Nigeria, he continued his education at Onondaga Community College (OCC), further strengthening his academic and athletic foundation.

His leadership and commitment to the sport have been instrumental in the growth and success of Upstate United FC, fostering a competitive and community-driven soccer environment.

Abu’s soccer journey began at Grant Middle School, where he played modified soccer for two years before advancing to varsity soccer and lacrosse at Nottingham High School. After high school, he attended The College at Brockport, where he played on the inaugural club soccer team and helped lead the squad to the NCAA Club Soccer Tournament.

Following his graduation from Brockport, Abu worked as a security guard at the Oncenter and for the Syracuse Crunch hockey team. However, his passion for athletics drove him to pursue a career in education and coaching. He accepted a position with Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School as a substitute teacher, where he established a club soccer team in his first year. Within two years, that club team was elevated to varsity status, and as head coach for the next four seasons—alongside his twin brother as assistant coach—he led the team to back-to-back sectional playoff appearances.

It was during this time that Hanson and other friends approached Abu with the idea of forming a semi-professional soccer team to serve the local community. Recognizing the potential impact, he embraced the vision, and five years later, Upstate United Football Club continues to thrive under his leadership.

Upstate United FC is excited to announce the hiring of Brandon DeNoyer as the club's new head coach. Currently serving as an assistant coach for the Syracuse University women’s soccer team, DeNoyer brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to the position.

During his tenure at the University of Richmond, DeNoyer played a pivotal role in helping the Spiders increase their win total from two victories in 2018 to seven in the most recent season. He worked closely with the team’s goalkeepers, who collectively posted four shutouts, a 1.46 goals-against average, and a .771 save percentage.

Before his time at Richmond, DeNoyer spent one season as an assistant coach at Mississippi State, where the Bulldogs achieved a 9-5-4 record. Under his guidance, goalkeeper Catalina Perez earned All-America honors, and Mississippi State allowed only 19 goals in 18 games.

A native of Scotia, N.Y., DeNoyer also served as the top assistant coach at Siena College from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure, the Saints won the 2015 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title and secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament. DeNoyer also mentored 2014 MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year, Taylor Booth.

DeNoyer’s coaching career began after his playing days at SUNY Old Westbury, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in media communications and American studies. From 2004 to 2008, he played for the men’s soccer team and later served as an assistant coach for four seasons, also volunteering as a goalkeeper coach for the women’s soccer program.

An experienced club coach, DeNoyer holds multiple credentials, including Regional, National, and Advanced National diplomas from NSCAA, as well as a United States Soccer Federation "D" License.

Kevin Lu is a passionate sports content creator and multimedia journalist with a degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. With a strong foundation in athlete-driven storytelling, game recaps, and digital media, he brings a global perspective and versatile skill set to sports coverage.

Kevin has reported for The Daily Orange, The NewsHouse, and All Sports Television Network, where he honed his expertise in creating compelling sports narratives across platforms. Internationally, he covered soccer for Guangzhou Daily in China and contributed feature articles and analysis as a freelance writer for sites including Rush The Kop and Last Word on Sports.

In addition to his reporting work, Kevin served as Social Media Director for WeMedia Lab, a Chinese student-led media organization at Syracuse University. There, he led multi-platform outreach efforts and developed digital campaigns aimed at expanding audience engagement.

Driven by a deep love for sports and a commitment to quality journalism, Kevin continues to create content that informs, inspires, and connects fans across the world.