Tryouts, Coaching Staff Set for HS Age Spokane Sounders Boys

Friday, February 3, 2023

The Spokane Sounders are proud to announce the coaching staff for the upcoming HS Age Boys teams for the 2023-24 season, which will begin formation with the upcoming tryouts on February 15 & 16.

The tryouts for the 2008, 2007 and 2005/06 teams are at Dwight Merkel Sports Complex with the two younger groups running from 5:30 to 7:00 and the oldest contingent 7:00 to 8:30.

Tryout Registration [+]

The high school teams will be coached by Jesse Retan, Bryan Hernandez and Abbas Faridnia.

Retan, recently announced as the new Boys Director of Coaching, will be leading the graduating B2005/06 group, looking to continue the club’s outstanding tradition of being the area’s leader in preparing players for collegiate and professional play.

The boys side has seen recent success for developing players. Alumni like Ray Serrano, who developed in our program and then moved onto the Sounders Academy, is now playing a key role at USL Championship finalist Louisville City. Another recent notable homegrown player is Erik Collins, who is now playing and flourishing at the Sounders MLS Next Academy. Over the last five years at Spokane Sounders our boys side has guided a number of players into the college game that have flourished at the next level such as Jadon Bowton, who played key minutes against ranked opponents for University of Washington. He is joined at UW by fellow Spokane Sounders teammates Levi Hawk and Chris Peretti. Notable alumni with recent success also include Jake Levine (NNU), Bryan Maxwell (MSU Billings), Eli Armstrong (LMU), Adam Jones (Biola), Cole Dobson (PLU) and Westmont teammates Donovan Howat, Spencer Crithfield and Alex Reyes. The list is long, and the club takes great pride in its alumni and ability to place players on a college soccer pathway.

Read More About Recent College Success Here [+]

Taking on the role of head coach for the B2007 and B2008 squads will be Bryan Hernandez, who has served as the goalkeeper coach for the club in addition to managing RCL sides for boys and girls.

Hernandez, an assistant coach at Gonzaga University, brings a unique perspective to the club having grown up in and playing for some of the elite California soccer clubs. He was a Cal South ODP player and went on to also spend some time in the U20 El Salvador National Team pool. The Humboldt State grad joined the club after a stint with the Shadow Men’s First Team, also making him an excellent example and mentor for players looking to further their experience during the summer amongst collegiate-level teammates and opposition.

More about Bryan Hernandez [+]

“We are putting together the most balanced staff possible. We want our product to be consistent,” said Retan. “We want our staff to have a shared vision of player development and believe in the curriculum. We are excited to have Bryan Hernandez take on a bigger role. Bryan believes in the current and long-term goals that we have. He has a passion for the sport and brings experience and culture in teaching the beautiful game.”

Additionally, Technical Director Abbas Faridnia will be coaching the B2008 RCL team.

The event schedule for the three teams will be announced in the coming weeks. The B2007 and B2008 Copa teams will have tryouts in May.

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