Rick DiStefano

Biography

Rick DiStefano was a soccer standout at Platt Technical High School, earning Class M All-State honors as a senior in 1984. A four year starter at center midfield, Rick was a first team All-Cross County Conference selection as a junior and senior. In 2014, he was inducted into the Platt Technical High School Hall of Fame. A lifelong Milford resident, Rick grew up as a player in Milford United Soccer under Jim White, Bill Petrie and Pat McGuigan. Chosen to coach Foran H.S. in 2004, DiStefano built a program that hadn’t seen the post season for 17 seasons into a consistent state tournament team. His Lions won a Southern Connecticut Conference division championship in 2020 when they went to the league finals. He was Southern Connecticut Conference and Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association (CSCA) coach of the year in 2020. DiStefano, who retired following the 2024 season, helped 16 of his players earn All-State honors. Four players were selected to the GameTime Ct All-State team. Foran H.S. saw 18 players selected to play in the CSCA Senior Bowl All-Star game. DiStefano, who has spent 45 years playing and coaching soccer, has been the player development director for the Milford United Soccer Club for 15 years, club president for 11. He coached the 2025 U19 team to the CT Cup title. Rick has been CSCA Board Director for 19 years. He was presented with the CSCA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.