Marisela Alvaro



Position: 2014 Girls Yellow Head Coach

Experience:

I have played soccer since I was 5 years old, playing on various comp level teams in the San Jose area. In high school I transitioned from being a field player to being our team’s Varsity goal keeper. This helped broaden my knowledge of the game from each angle of the field. After finishing my soccer career at the Junior College level, I switched sports, and became a 2 time National and 1 time World title holder in Muay Thai (kickboxing) at the amateur level. I went back to my soccer roots as an assistant coach for various teams over the years, finally becoming head coach for the ECRFC 14G Yellow team last season. 

Credentials:

• USSF Grassroots 4v4 Coaching License
• USSF Grassroots 7v7 Coaching License
• USSF Grassroots 9v9 Coaching License
• CrossFit Level 1 Certified

Coaching Philosophy:

I believe in creating an environment where kids love to learn and develop a passion for soccer. My motto is “Iron sharpens iron”, meaning that we cannot get better as a team unless we all get better as individuals. Soccer is not an individual sport, but rather a product of individual development. We focus on mastering the fundamentals and keeping soccer simple. For each player, the goal is to find their strengths and help them find their own style in soccer, while also working on weaknesses to help make them a well-rounded player.

Achievements:

In my first year as a head coach for our second team last season (2023-24), we won the Championship at BooFest and 2nd place at the Shamrock tournament. In league play, our team went from finishing last place the previous year to tying for 2nd place this past Spring. Through the development and growth this year, 3 of our second team players were able to advance to the first team for the current season. 

Coaching Style:

I am not the kind of coach who sits quietly on the sideline, but that is not to say that I am constantly coaching. I like to praise good decisions and offer guidance when necessary. Mistakes will be made, and losses will happen. We will celebrate the successes and learn from the mistakes, and be better as a collection of it all. 

Previous Coaching Positions:

• 3 years as an assistant coach at MXG Gold level (2009-2012)
• 1 year as an assistant coach for Impact rec (2021)
• 1 year assisting the ECRFC 2014G Yellow team (2022-23)
• 1 year head coach ECRFC 2014G Yellow team (2023-24)

Personal Statement:

I want to develop habits and a work ethic that extend beyond the pitch. While I give them tools to help them work on their soccer skills, these are also tools they can use at home, at school, or any other sport they may decide to play in the future. I am not just helping players become great at soccer, I’m helping them become better athletes, students, and humans in general.