Rick Moore

Youth Soccer News: North San Diego Futbol Club Welcomes Rick Moore

The North San Diego Futbol Club (Stallions) has hired Rick Moore as the new President and Director of Coaching. Moore, who was on the Board of Directors of Vista Soccer Club and served as president from 2000-2004, brings nearly two decades of experience to NSDFC.

In addition to his work with Vista SC, Moore has served as District II Representative to Cal South State Cup Committee, a scout for the Olympic Development Program and as an original member of Cal South’s State Recreational Committee. In 2002 Moore was a Cal South District II Honoree.

NSDFC was originally founded in 2007 and is preparing to enter its sixth year of operation. After a promising beginning, the club went through a period of decline as some of the founders' children graduated from the program. The hiring of Moore is one step on the road to rebuilding NSDFC as a major club in North San Diego County.

“The broad mission of the North San Diego Futbol Club is to promote and develop an excellent youth soccer environment as a vehicle for player development, as well as the overall development of our youth into positive contributing members of society,” Moore told SoccerNation. “Specifically, we hope to provide each player with a high-quality, enjoyable experience, where they can develop skills and learn the tactics and strategies of the game.”

NSDFC works to develop young players with a focus on skill development, teamwork and sportsmanship. The club prides itself on creating “a positive culture around youth soccer” and “striving to produce positive, responsible young adults on the field and in their communities.”

“We view ourselves as a highly competitive organization that, by necessity, must also provide for the development of young players,” he explained. “However we see that necessity as more of an opportunity than a burden. If the players in our area choose to stay home and play with us throughout their youth careers it allows us to help shape not only soccer players but also responsible adults within our community. To that end, we have partnered with the ‘Positive Coaching Alliance’ and committed ourselves to maintaining a positive culture in all we do.”

As part of this commitment to young players, NSDFC has signed a partnership agreement with Chivas USA. No details are currently available, but in general the partnerships include support and mentoring from Chivas USA as well as other benefits for players. Often professional players and academy coaches will visit partner clubs to conduct soccer clinics.

“We certainly hope to develop, and retain elite players within our program,” said Moore. “Sadly, most if not all of the programs in the North County area could reasonably be termed “feeder programs” based on their lack of ability to hold on to the talent that is continually generated in our area. In past years we’ve fit in that category as well.”

As another step in the commitment to improvement, NSDFC kicked off a new website for 2012 to better serve players and families and to reach out to the greater North San Diego County community. With both recreation and competitive programs, NSDFC has teams for all ages and ability levels. The club focuses on teaching techniques at an early age, and then blending in tactics as the players grow older. The Pony League program for boys and girls ages 5 and 6 is just one element in the development of players.

Talking about his vision for the club, Moore said, “When I joined the NSDFC last year it was with the understanding between the existing directors and myself that we would take the necessary steps to create an environment where top players could flourish. We’ve already taken some major steps in that direction with additions to our coaching staff as well as through professional partnerships, most notably with Chivas USA. Naturally, much of what we do is to attract talented players.”

“We are and I hope always will be a ‘developmental organization’ as well,” Moore continued. “We need to develop players, as there are far too many high profile clubs in San Diego County competing with us for the top players. But more importantly, we desire to develop players as part of our commitment to community."

When asked his idea of “the perfect game”, Moore said "I like to see aggressive play with overlapping runs, good ball movement, constantly changing the point of attack and challenging the defense with penetrating runs and crosses." But as any soccer professional knows, this is a big questions and has many answers.  

Moore continued with, "Conversely, I like organized defensive units that work together, provide support, maintain their positions and communicate well. My “perfect game” is a game filled with action, all players involved, the ball moving up and down the field as first one team attacks and then the other. I remember a game just like this from about 14 years ago that involved a recreational team I coached at that time. The team was undefeated in league play and was playing another undefeated team for the league championship. Both teams were stocked with girls that would move to competitive play the following year. I can still picture the game in my mind as if it were yesterday, aggressive, non-stop play in a tight game that was hard-fought to the very end. Unfortunately .... I have the game on videotape, but it hardly resembles the one in my memory."  Isn't that always the truth?

As competitive youth soccer tryouts are starting soon, we asked Moore for his advice:

"My advice to parents .... treat your children like children, and view sports as the games that they are. Children should play sports first and foremost for the enjoyment of the game."

"Allow your child to learn the game and have fun playing without the burden of high expectations. Be involved as their number one fan and supporter. Praise effort, not performance. Be positive. Be respectful."

"Expect the same from your child. Allow the coach to coach, and be supportive of his/her efforts as well. If you’ve placed your child in a positive learning environment and you support the efforts of both player and coach, they will achieve results. Keep your expectations reasonable."

"Hopefully, your son or daughter is playing soccer for the love of the game, the challenges of competition, the enjoyment that comes from being part of a team as well as the opportunity to learn many of life’s lessons through sport. Enjoy your child’s efforts."

NSDFC will be holding tryouts for boys and girls ages 8-14 beginning on January 23 and continuing through February 25. See the SoccerNation Youth Soccer Tryouts page or visit the NSDFC website for more details.