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About Kaizen - Gastonia & Charlotte, NC

More touches.
Better players.
Rooted in community.

Kaizen was built by Davis McBee, Kevin Daly, and Felipe Baptista. Davis is a Gastonia native who grew up playing in the community, while Kevin and Felipe are two coaches who found their way there and never left. Together, they built what they wished had existed when they were coming up. The name says it all: continuous improvement, 1% better every day.

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Our philosophy

1% better. Every day.
Consistency compounds.

Kaizen is a Japanese concept meaning continuous improvement - the idea that small, consistent gains add up to significant change over time. That's not just our name. It's how we coach, how we structure our programs, and what we believe about player development.

Whether your kid is training individually or with a group, at any skill level, there is always room to grow. We build the environment where that growth happens - through consistent reps, quality coaching, and a culture that makes players want to come back.

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Where we started

Gaston County coaches.
Gaston County kids.

Kaizen was founded by Davis McBee, Felipe Baptista, and Kevin Daly. Davis grew up right here in Gastonia - he played for Gaston Christian, went on to Belmont Abbey, and came back because he believed the players in this community deserved better training than what was available. Kevin and Felipe found their way here from different paths and the same conviction.

Between them, they bring D1 and D2 collegiate experience, national team pool exposure, USL2 competition, and years of hands-on coaching with youth players. They built Kaizen from a shared passion for soccer and a deep commitment to developing players in the community they call home.

The goal has always been straightforward: give every player - beginner or professional, any age - access to the kind of coaching that actually develops them. More touches. Better instruction. Real results.

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Founders photoFounders photo
D1
Division I
collegiate soccer
D2
All-American
honors
USL2
Semi-professional
competition
USNT
National team
pool experience
The founders

The coaches behind everything.

Davis McBee photoDavis McBee photo
Davis McBee
Founder and Trainer
Belmont Abbey College - team captain, D2 All-American
All-Region and Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year
Conference Carolinas Championship 2021
Gaston Christian School all-time leading scorer - now head coach
State champion with Gaston Christian Varsity Women's soccer
Former Belmont Abbey men's soccer coaching staff

A Gastonia native, Davis has been connected to Gaston County soccer his entire life - as a player, captain, record-setter, and now coach. He started Kaizen to bring the level of development he experienced at the collegiate level back to the community where his soccer journey began.

Felipe Baptista photoFelipe Baptista photo
Felipe Baptista
Founder and Trainer
University of South Florida - Division I, four years
Belmont Abbey College
All-Conference academic team four consecutive years
Trained at Coritiba FC in Curitiba, state of Parana
Played in TST 2026
Played against the top MLS academies growing up in DA

Born in Pembroke Pines, FL and immersed in Brazilian soccer culture from a young age, Felipe brings a global perspective to player development. His background spans futsal, D1 soccer, and competing at the highest amateur levels - all rooted in a genuine love for helping kids grow on and off the field.

Kevin Daly photoKevin Daly photo
Kevin Daly
Founder and Trainer
Belmont Abbey College - five years, three-year team captain
Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year, NCAA D2 All-Region
United States National Team pool
USL2 - Asheville City and Mississippi Brilla
Futsal training experience

Kevin came from a small club with big talent out of Gainesville, FL before going on to Belmont Abbey where he had a standout career. Now his passion lies in coaching and getting the best out of youth players.

Train with us - first session free Call (704) 718-0560
Coaching staff

The rest of the team.

Every coach at Kaizen is here because they care about player development - and because they're genuinely good at it.

Anthony Armas photoAnthony Armas photo
Anthony Armas
Trainer
Ayden Taylor photoAyden Taylor photo
Ayden Taylor
Trainer
Gianna Carneglia photoGianna Carneglia photo
Gianna Carneglia
Goalkeeper Coach
Jaylen Orr photoJaylen Orr photo
Jaylen Orr
Trainer
Madelyn Schultz photoMadelyn Schultz photo
Madelyn Schultz
Trainer
Trent photoTrent photo
Trent
Chief Marketing Officer
Isaac Contreras photoIsaac Contreras photo
Isaac Contreras
Trainer
Andrew Pena photoAndrew Pena photo
Andrew Pena
Trainer
What we believe

How we coach. Every session.

01

Consistency compounds

One good session doesn't change a player. Consistent training does. We build programs around regular, structured reps because that's what actually produces development.

02

Every player deserves real coaching

Beginner or elite, any age - every player who walks in here gets a coach who is paying attention and genuinely invested in their improvement.

03

Fun is not optional

Players who enjoy training come back. Players who come back get better. The environment we create is competitive and demanding - and genuinely fun to be part of.

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Come meet the coaches

See it for yourself.
First session is free.

The best way to understand what Kaizen is about is to come in. Bring your kid, meet the coaches, and let them touch the ball for an hour. No commitment, no pressure.

Book a free trial Call us: (704) 718-0560
From the parents

Hear from the parents.

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