WHY THE SOCKERS?

We take pride in our diverse and experienced coaching staff. Our coaches bring their diverse player experience from professional, collegiate, adult, and youth organizations under a unified philosophy of developing people in a positive, supportive culture. When we say #weloveourcoaches, it reflects our emphasis on recruiting and supporting coaches who reflect our values and care about their players above all.

At the Cardiff Sockers, players have the opportunity to work with a variety of coaches through formal programs, such as the Specialty Training Program offerings and team camp, and through informal collaborations, such as cross-team trainings and the general collegiality of our coaches in trainings and games.

Our Specialty Training Program (STP) encompasses trainings and opportunities that are available to ALL players in the targeted age groups. The foundational STP sessions are the extra skill development trainings that are offered to age groups at set periods throughout the year by age level as appropriate. Additional STP programs include :

-Position-specific sessions

-Strength, fitness, and injury prevention sessions done on field or at Olympus Movement Performance.

-Mindset awareness coaching

-Freeplay and Finishing Fridays

Our organization focuses on providing flexible support for teams and players. We recognize that not all teams and players are the same, but the common thread is that all players can #lovethegame, and we seek to provide environments and experiences that will foster that joy.

Some examples include include :

-STP sessions allow players to enhance their training to meet their individual needs.

-Our college program provides workshop sessions where players can explore their options for both on and off the field college pathways.

-Team flighting - teams are put into league and tournament brackets after they are formed so that directors and coaches can meet the goal of optimal development for players and teams.

“Being a part of the Cardiff Sockers family has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my high school years. From the very beginning, I was welcomed and communicated with immediately, which made me feel very included—even though I wasn’t there in person at first. The sense of community, the high standards, and the genuine care shown to each player are unmatched.

Coach Kraig has had a tremendous impact—not just as a coach, but as a mentor and leader. His passion for the game, his ability to bring out the best in every player, and his commitment to developing strong athletes and even stronger individuals have made all the difference. Kraig has been around since I was 7 years old, so his impact has been incredible to not only myself, but to my entire family. Coach Kraig inspires confidence, accountability, and a true love for the sport.

I am incredibly grateful for everything the club has provided—memories, growth, and lifelong friendships—and would highly recommend Cardiff Sockers to any player looking to develop both on and off the field.”

Cadence will continue to play Division 2 soccer at Hawaii Pacific University.

“I started with Cardiff when I was 8 as my first competitive club. The club has had a huge impact on my development as a player and person. The club has given me so many opportunities like being able to train with the SD Sockers and the SD Sockers 2 teams. Although Cardiff is a smaller club I was able to get the exposure I needed to commit to play division 1 at Davidson College. Working with the Cardiff Champions League, and working Cardiff camps are some other ways that Cardiff has made me a better person. I love giving back to the program because of everything it has provided me. I owe a lot of my development to the large number of great coaches at Cardiff especially Coach Kraig, Coach Mark, and Coach Chris, my goalkeeping coach.”

Lucas helped lead the SDA high school team to a record breaking season and currently plays Division 1 soccer at Davidson College.

“I started playing for Cardiff Sockers when I was 10 years old and have enjoyed every minute of my nine year career with the club. When I first came to Cardiff, I was in search of a team after tryouts finished, and still Cardiff welcomed me with open arms. Cardiff is where I truly found my passion and love for soccer. The coaches at Cardiff not only shaped me into the player I am today, but more importantly the person I am today. Coach Ray Reza played a vital role in my experience with Cardiff and helped lead my team at the time to the final four in State Cup. From being captain for many teams at Cardiff, I have learned the value of hard work and what it means to be a leader. The love and support the coaches and the club offer is something I will never take for granted. Cardiff Sockers is truly a family and a place to develop relationships that last a lifetime. The experience I have had with Cardiff is the number one reason why I am playing at the next level.”

Sophie is currently a defender at Lewis and Clark College.

“The Cardiff Mustangs (now Sockers) was the first and only club I played for competitively. Coach Juan invited me to play for his girl's team back in 2010 and helped me develop my skills and overall love for the game! This program will always have a special place in my heart not only because it is where I started my career but because I felt as though it grew with me. My team started at this club when there was only a handful of teams and we were still sponsored by Rimels. I am so proud of this club and so grateful for everyone who has helped us get there. This club and coaches have always been there for me and helped me achieve so many goals including playing 4 years in a competitive D3 program. All the coaches at Cardiff really helped me push myself and get my name out there. Now, there is nothing better than coming home and helping them coach and continue to grow this club!”

Julia played 10+ years at Cardiff and has now completed her master’s degree after playing collegiate soccer at Illinois Tech.

“This program welcomed me at a young age and provided a place where I could showcase my talent. I was lucky enough to play under multiple coaches at the club with each one teaching me different attributes of my game that I still carry with me today. I remember playing a year up and being the captain of the team, despite being one of the youngest players. I learned to earn trust and respect from all my teammates around me based on the way I play and work with everyone. My coaches inspired me a lot and I learned so much from them. They had lots of experience and some even still were playing for the San Diego Sockers. The program at Cardiff has shaped my love for the game and is the reason I am still playing to this day. This club will always have a special place in my heart and I love being able to come back to my hometown and be able to help with coaching.”

Ben completed all four seasons at a Division 3 college in Orange, Chapman University.

Haley’s mom shares, “Being a dual sport athlete was a big factor in Hailey’s recruiting. Big thank you to Coach Ray, Coach Eddie, and all her teammates. Cardiff soccer is an amazing program that really helped shape Hailey as a dual sport athlete!

Coach Eddie shared, “Great girl, role model teammate, loves the team atmosphere, and needs to work on celebrating 💃🏿 when she scores (ha). She’s always smiling which brings joy to everyone around her, and this accomplishment is well deserved. It’s hard to play multi-sports and been able to be a top player on both and she was!”

From Coach Ray: “Hailey has always been an incredible athlete; it is no surprise that she is taking her talents to the next level! Wishing her all the best as she embarks on a new journey in college athletics.”

“Cardiff Mustangs brought me in while I was in the second grade. It has been the only club team I have played for in my entire athletic career. I’m so grateful to have been able to play under Coach Ray and Coach Mark who have thought me life long lessons. Being born in December, I was always one of the youngest players on my team. My coaches taught me that I didn’t have to be the biggest, strongest, or oldest guy on the field; but I needed to be one of the smartest. This changed my perspective of the game and helped me earn my position as the captain of my team. Together, we were able to win State Cup in 2022. This club is the reason I love soccer and I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”

Zac played 10+ years at Cardiff and currently attends Cal Poly SLO. He exemplified a true Cardiff player on and off the field for both his club team and at SDA.

“Playing for the Cardiff Mustangs, now Sockers, was one of the greatest experiences I've had in my life. Looking back on my competitive soccer experience pre college, the Cardiff program helped me develop as a player and as a person. Surrounded by exemplary coaches with a passion for the game and a goal to see their players succeed, I gained confidence in the sport and truly began to love what I was doing and working towards. It can be difficult in competitive sports to find a club and team that is the right fit for you, but Cardiff is an outlier in this regard. The community they have managed to cultivate fosters success on and off the field and I feel extremely lucky to have been a part of it. I still keep in touch with my coaches and mentors who shaped the person I am today and am very proud to have worn the Cardiff shirt.”

Ethan played for and was the University of Oregon Men's Club Soccer President.

“I played for the Cardiff Mustangs for 9 years from 2012 to 2021. It was the only club in North County that my parents could afford and I am grateful for the opportunity they gave me when no one else did. As a Mexican American, it was difficult to find other players who looked liked me, but the coaching staff and players never made me question my identity and created a safe space for me. I had the privilege to be guided by multiple coaches who all taught and developed my skills in their specialties that I still use to this day. Most of them played for the San Diego Sockers which was super inspiring to while I was growing up. When I started my playing career at Cardiff, there were only three teams. I am proud of the club’s expansion and their intention of the rebranding to Sockers. Each of the coaches taught me accountability, teamwork, and curiosity that I apply in settings off the field. The club provided me a fun, competitive environment that gave me a sense of belonging. It broadened my perspective that you can be productive and accomplish your goals while having fun. I wouldn’t be playing for an NCAA D3 soccer program in Wisconsin where I am continuing my education while playing the sport I love if it weren’t for Cardiff. “

Allan played Varsity soccer at Beloit University and is now pursuing a fully funded Ph.D. in Sociology at Washington State University.

“Growing up in the Cardiff Soccer program, I was blessed to have met so many wonderful people who cared about me and my development. In my years, with Cardiff, I have learned so much from past and present coaches who have made me who I am on and off the field. Since I was 5 years old, Cardiff Soccer practices, games, and camps have always been where I can have fun playing soccer with my friends. Last year, I went to Dublin, Ireland without my parents for a soccer trip with my 2006 team. In the first 10 minutes of the first game, I, unfortunately, broke my collarbone which caused me to sit out the whole trip. The love and support I got from friends and family during this disheartening moment affected me so much during this time, I was able to turn my dispirited attitude around and have the time of my life with my Cardiff family. Cardiff Soccer has always treated me with love and compassion.”

Kona spent 10+ years at Cardiff and always demonstrated a true love of the game both for the club and high school. He will be attending University of Arizona.

Cole’s parents shared, “I admired how Mark stressed to respect the game and how you represent yourself is more important than the outcome of the game or season. Work hard, show up on time, be respectful, help a teammate out... all traits that are important through life as they grow into adults. Always loved Kraig's positivity, humor and gamesmanship to help win even when we were outmatched.”

Cole’s favorite memories from playing at Cardiff were “NPL Playoffs in Denver, Surf Cups at Del Mar Polo Fields, and the Ireland Trip of course!”

Cole represented Cardiff as a captain and will be attending TCU to study business. Go horned frogs!

Finn, a decade Cardiff player, shares, “Cardiff Sockers will always hold a strong place in my heart. The coaches and players have shaped my entire life after being around them for 11 years. I see everyone in the club as family and people I trust and can talk to about anything, even things not related to soccer. The most valuable thing to me about being apart of this club is growing new skills. The amount of teamwork and adversity I have had to face as a player has taught me so much about the sport of soccer and even more about life.”

Finn’s favorite memory from playing at Cardiff was, “Playing the Cardiff B06/07 White team in a tournament final.”

Finn will be attending SDSU in the fall.