Youth Soccer News: San Diego Surf Adds Three Talented Coaches to Staff

San Diego Surf Soccer Club has recently grown their coaching staff, adding Daniel Musatti, James Murphy and Gabriel Arredondo to a roster that already included the likes of Dave and Paul Currie, Ada Greenwood, Richard Simonyi and Greg LaPorte. The three have already begun coaching duties and look forward to taking on additional challenges as the new season begins. SoccerNation spoke with the three to learn a little more about each one.

Daniel Musatti

Current Team: Boys U-13/Helping with Girls U-15

2012-2013 Teams: Boys U-14 and U-18/Academy Assistant Coach

Licenses: Brazilian CBF/ABTF License, UEFA International License, FIFA ‘B’ License, U.S. Soccer ‘C’ License

Daniel Musatti grew up in Brazil, so playing soccer came as second nature to him. He played futsal from ages 6-14 before moving on to play traditional soccer at Palmeiras and at the university level. Musatti earned his first coaching license at age 24 and began working with Marilia AC as an assistant coach. A year later he had the opportunity to earn his UEFA International Coaching License at the Football Association in Lilleshall.

When Musatti returned to Brazil he moved on to coach at SC Corinthians, one of the top developmental clubs in Brazil, from 2005 through 2009. At Corinthians he spent time as an assistant coach at the Boys U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels and with the professional team. He then moved up to head coach of the Boys U-15, U-16 and U-17 teams. Musatti also worked as the club’s Youth Scout and helped develop 38 players who went on to the First Team and the Brazilian National Team.

In 2007-2008 Musatti interned with Ajax in Amsterdam for two months and continued to scout for the team when he returned to Brazil. In 2012 He moved to the United States and began coaching at Nomads, working with the Boys U-10, Academy and Futsal programs. Musatti made the move to Surf because, in his words, “Surf is the club wher people are really serious about soccer in San Diego.”

Musatti explains that his coaching style is based on discipline, commitment, respect and creativity. He clearly loves what he does and where his life has taken him so far. “Everything to me is a step to become a club manager one day,” he says, “but a step that I enjoy very much every single day.”

Read Daniel Musatti’s thoughts on “Barcelona Fever” on SoccerNation

James Murphy

Current Teams: Girls U-14, U-16 and U-18 Black

2012-2013 Teams: Girls U-11 White, U-14 Premier and U-16 ECNL White

License: U.S. Soccer ‘D’ License

James Murphy, who has played locally in premier leagues, has coached at several clubs around San Diego County, but has always had a special place for Surf. After two years at Bonita Rebels he came to Surf where he says his coaching career really started. Two years later, Murphy moved to Rancho Santa Fe Attack , staying for 12 years. In 2010, Murphy moved to Carlsbad Lightning to help start the Carlsbad Elite program as Director.

“I really developed as a coach [at RSF Attack],” says Murphy. “That being said, no matter where I went to coach I would tell everyone I was with the second best club in San Diego. When the opportunity came up to come back to Surf and coach at the best club in the county, it was an easy decision for me.”

As a coach, Murphy teaches a ball-possession style of play and encourages his players to “make it look as pretty as possible.” He says he is looking forward to working with a variety of age groups, particularly the U-11 team he will take over from Chris Lemay. “Chris has done a great job with that team and getting them to start playing good soccer,” says Murphy. “I like that I can get in there at the early stages and help with their development as well as get them playing on the bigger field at that early age.”

Taking on the duties of coaching the ECNL team is another challenge that Murphy looks forward to. “Jose Ocampo has done a great job with teaching the technical part of the game, and they play good soccer,” he says. “I am hoping to bring to that team a little more of a bite and teach them how to showcase their talents, especially in front of college coaches.”

“The good thing about the direction of the [Surf] program is that it is all about development,” Murphy says, “I am a huge fan of developing young player into great soccer players, but even more important into great people. I really enjoy coaching because I understand the game is more than just soccer.”

Murphy explains, “It is about that player or that family that 15 years after coaching them, they are still in my life and they still acknowledge me as a person who made a difference in their life.”

Gabriel Arredondo

Current Teams: Girls U-10 Premier and White

2012-2013 Teams: Girls U-10 Premier and White

License: U.S. Soccer ‘D’ License

Gabriel Arredondo got his start on the pitch playing at U-10 with Atlas United. Fast-forward and he is now working with the Girls U-10 Premier and White teams at Surf. Arredondo began his coaching career with eighteen years at Bonita Rebels, followed by moved on to the Chula Vista Rangers. Most recently he coached for eight years at Crusaders Soccer Club, leading their Girls U-11 team to the 2012 Cal South State Cup Championship.

“I came to Surf knowing that I would have the chance to coach some of the most talented players in San Diego,” says Arredondo, “and to compete against the top teams in Southern California. The talent pool of the players at Surf is second to none.”

Asked about his coaching style, Arredondo explains that he wants his players to be creative on the ball without the fear of making mistakes. “I love to see my players develop their skills over the weeks, months and then the year,” he says. I enjoy seeing them play beautiful soccer.”

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