Team you coach: U19 02/03 Boys Premier

Favorite player of all time: Roberto Baggio (Italy)

Tell us a little about when you discovered the game and your playing background:

I grew up in San Jose, and I started playing soccer when I was 4, and never stopped. It’s always been a passion of mine, passed down from my dad, brothers, and uncles. When I was a kid we always used to play in the streets, or at the park. Anywhere to just play and enjoy the game. I used to watch players on TV and then go out to the park and try to emulate them. I usually played with older players and I think that helped me mature and learn a lot quicker.

I played for Santa Clara university from 1998-2001, we were NCAA semi finalists in 1998, and then NCAA runner up in 1999. I was the teams leading goal scorer in 3 of my 4 years.

After SCU I played for the Sacramento knights and we won the national championship in 2006. I was the NPSL MVP in both 2005 and 2006.

I started playing for the US Beach National team from 2005-2013. I played in the 2006 & 2007 beach soccer World Cup in Brazil, and then again in 2013 the World Cup was in Tahiti.

Tell us a little about your coaching background:

I’ve been coaching for 15 years. I spent a couple seasons with Sac State men’s soccer, Cosumnes River men’s soccer, San Juan Academy teams, and now with Folsom Lake Surf. I try and instill the things I have learned from my past experiences from coaches, both when I was a player, and also from different coaches I have worked with. I believe the key to becoming a successful coach is to learn, and always keep learning. I always look for new ideas and try to incorporate those into my coaching. It gives me great pleasure to see my former players playing at high levels and achieving their goals, whether it be Collegiate or Professional.