 Born in the United States, Getchell spent much of his youth in Brazil where his Episcopalian father was serving.Government unrest forced the Getchells to leave Brazil and they moved to Portland, Oregon, before settling in northern California for Mike's senior year of high school.Getchell Trained with the Golden Gate Gales (ASL) youth team, and played for the Berkley Mavericks soccer club where he was approached by Sigi Schmid.