An IDP Is Not Enough For Development! With Carsten Dohm

When Carsten Dohm, Head of Coaching at San Diego FC (MLS) and part of the renowned Right to Dream academy system, speaks about development, the words purpose, potential, and process are never far away. His passion for youth development is unmistakable, and in this interview he offers a fascinating glimpse into how Right to Dream’s philosophy is taking root in the U.S.

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Starting with the End in Mind

Dohm believes clarity of purpose is non-negotiable in player development. “Before we begin every journey, we have to start with the end in mind,” he explains. Without a destination, coaches risk losing their way. At San Diego FC, the “end” is not winning youth games but preparing players to meet the ever-changing demands of football at the highest level.

Potential Over Performance

One of Dohm’s strongest themes is shifting the focus away from early results. “We’re not talking about performance. We’re talking about potential,” he says. Success is measured in growth, not trophies. Mistakes are embraced as part of the process, with Dohm stressing that both players and coaches must model authenticity: “We’re not afraid to take risks or make mistakes — the kids see that we are human, and they learn from it.”

Accelerated Learning, Deliberate Attention

Right to Dream’s methodology centers on accelerating learning through purposeful design. This means breaking skills down into detail, guiding players through repetitions, and holding coaches accountable for noticing the right things. “If they don’t succeed, it’s not enough to just say ‘come again.’ Our attention has to be deliberate. We have to know what we are looking at and how to help.”

Culture and Community

Transplanting the Right to Dream ethos into San Diego means blending diverse cultures. With players and staff from Hispanic, African, Asian, and American backgrounds, Dohm sees diversity as a strength. “Maybe here is the biggest diversity of all. The people are the game changers — not just the facilities,” he emphasizes. Building a “third culture,” one that respects both American roots and the Right to Dream identity, is central to the project.

Developing the Complete Player

From two-footed development to movement patterns, Dohm highlights the technical, cognitive, and physical details required to produce footballers who can thrive globally. But equally, he stresses the human side: “We are not only producing football players, we are producing human beings.”

Looking Ahead

Perhaps most intriguing is Dohm’s long-term vision. Right to Dream academies worldwide are aligned around a bold target: by 2032, each academy should produce at least two “A+ players” capable of thriving in Europe’s top five leagues. And four of those, every year, should be strikers.

Final Word: Dohm’s approach is both ambitious and refreshingly grounded. By blending science, culture, and character with football detail, he is helping build an environment in San Diego that looks far beyond immediate results. As he puts it: “It’s not about winning the game. It’s about winning the small battles inside the game. That’s how we grow potential.”