About Nostra Domina Soccer Club
Building thinkers, leaders, and joyful soccer players.
Nostra Domina Soccer Club is a nonprofit travel soccer academy serving players from U8 to U12 (2019-2014) across New Jersey. Founded on the belief that football is a tool for education, not control, we develop players through game-representative environments, rooted in the science of ecological dynamics.
Our players don’t spend sessions in lines or rote drills. They learn by playing, by thinking, by failing safely, and by discovering new solutions in real time. That’s why they love coming to training. That’s why they grow.
Whether your child is new to the game or ready to transition from a rigid club model, Nostra Domina is a place where footballers of all backgrounds can grow—with joy, freedom, and support.
Our Core Philosophy
| We Believe… | So We… |
|---|---|
| The game is the teacher | Build training environments that replicate the real game |
| Every player learns differently | Use constraints to shape perception and encourage exploration |
| Development beats short-term results | Focus on decision-making, not just execution |
| Coaches should guide, not control | Let players learn through experience, not lectures |
| Football is for everyone | Offer scholarships and access to those who need it most |
We coach the game in a way that players actually want to play it.
Why “Nostra Domina”?
The name “Nostra Domina” means Our Lady in Latin—an homage to the Mother of God. Our club is built on respect, humility, and community. We coach with discipline and faith in the process.
Where We Train
Our sessions are held in central New Jersey. Our teams train 2-3x/week and competition in New Jersey travel leagues. We also offer seasonal futsal, summer select, and clinics.
About the Founder: Michael Portillo
Michael Portillo is a U.S. Soccer licensed coach, former professional level player with trials/interest across the Netherlands, Italy, and Central America, and one of the few coaches in the region deeply trained in game-representative, constraint-based coaching inspired by championed coach Marcus DiBernardo and ecological learning theory.
Michael has coached players who’ve gone on to MLS NEXT, ECNL, and collegiate programs, but his real passion lies in transforming players from the ground up—especially those who’ve been overlooked, discouraged, or boxed into “roles” too soon.
“The bottom of the group shift to the top when you give them the right environment. I’ve seen it over and over again.”