MRYSL is excited to announce the hiring of Sean Connors as the Director of Coaching for the competitive soccer program. Coach Connors will be instrumental in the development of the coaching staff, forming teams, developing an academy curriculum, and implementing competitive programs and ideas.

“The development of a club-wide curriculum, The Mad River Method, was one of my immediate priorities when I took the position. This will keep every coach on the same page and develop continuity within the club. The Mad River Method will benefit players as they develop because each coach will be able to build on the skills taught in the previous year. By focusing on technical and tactical skills all Mad River players will be equipped to play at any level.”

Connors has spent the past two years as an assistant coach for St. John Fisher College in Rochester NY and only this past fall relocated to Humboldt County.

Having a well-trained coach lead the competitive soccer program will lead to great development among both the players and coaches. By bring new ideas and excitement to the club, having Coach Connors as our Director of Coaching is a step forward and will lead to only greater successes in the future!

Current assignment:
2009/2010 Coaching Director
Humboldt United U13 Boys D1
Humboldt United U14 Girls D1

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 U10 boys

Brendan Bourdage comes to us from Humboldt State University. He has served as goalkeeping coach for three of the last four seasons (2005, 06 & 08) In 2005, Bourdage served as both the men’s and women’s goalkeeping coach while also starting in goal for the men’s team. He was an all-Great Northwest Athletic Association second team selection, recording three shutouts and a 2.07 goals against average. Bourdage, who received his bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Santa Clara University in 2000, was an assistant coach with the Broncos in 2000. He played at Santa Clara from 1996-99.

Current assignment:
Goalkeeper Coach

John Davidson has been coaching for five years at D3 and D1 levels. He currently holds a National D license from CYSA and completed Level 2 of the Hoek Method, from Dutch coach Franz Hoek.

"Soccer is as much a part of my life as my hands and feet. I play and coach soccer out of the love for the game and mankind, as a volunteer, and as a positive mentor for young athletes.”

Current assignment: Fall 2009 U10 Boys

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 U14 Boys

"I have been involved with the game of soccer for over thirty years now as a player and coach. I played youth soccer on the east coast for the Connecticut Olympic Development Program for eight years. I was a member of the Oakwood FC national indoor two-time soccer champions. I have been blessed to have played abroad in the Holland Youth Cup, tournaments in Paris, club games in Germany, and a two week stint of playing national teams from Trinidad and Barbados. I started coaching soccer in the east bay area for the Skyhawks Soccer Camp. For two years I was camp coordinator for boys and girls from ages 5-18. Locally I have worked with the youth Division 1 teams for the past five seasons and have enjoyed the gift of working with the same core group of kids since they were playing under 12’s. Currently I coach the boys under 19 team playing in the Southern Oregon League. I also currently coach the boys soccer team at Arcata High School and have been there in some aspect of coaching for the past four years, the last two as head coach. I truly enjoy passing on the same passion and love for the game which I have carried with me for the past thirty years. The local soccer community has a strong core of passionate coaches and fans. I see continued success for all age groups in the near future."

Current assignment: Fall 2009- Arcata High Boys Varsity

What began as an assistant coach position for his son's U-8 team three years ago, Heath has continued to follow his son's youth soccer career. In 2006, he began coaching his first D3 U10 team. Heath has also coached U10 Futsol for the past three winter seasons for both his son and daughter. As a soccer player for nine years in his youth, Heath now finds plenty of enjoyment and relaxation passing down his own soccer-playing skills through coaching.

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 - U12 Boys, Division 3

Kelsey Gomula is a former standout defender for the Humboldt State University and finished her playing career this past fall. Coach Gomula played at HSU from 2004-2009, a career that included a sophomore medical red-shirt after starting all 20 games as a freshman and being named to the All Great Northwest Conference Team. After recovering from a knee injury Coach Gomula went on to earn All California Collegiate Athletic Association Honors and lead the Jacks as captain her junior and senior seasons. Coach Gomula finished her career starting an amazing 80 out of 81 games played.

Coach Gomula not only has an impressive resume as a player but also is well acomplished as a coach. For the past 5 years Coach Gomula has spent her summers working at the Northwest Soccer Camp in Seattle Washington surrounded by some of the best coaches in the country and the world. “Kelsey Gomula is a fantastic addition to our coaching staff. Not only is she knowledgeable about the game of soccer, but she has the passion and desire to pass her knowledge onto youth players. Coach Gomula is a role model for our female players and they will be better players because of her coaching abilities” ~ Sean Connors ~ Director of Coaching MRYSL

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 - U12 Girls

“Soccer has been a major part of my life. I have played soccer throughout my entire childhood in Brazil and when I came to the United States, I wanted to share the love and the passion of soccer with the youth of our community. I have coached numerous soccer teams for the past 30+ years. I am extremely dedicated and very competitive and I like to pass these two qualities on to the players I coach. I love watching them develop in the basic soccer skills and fundamentals of soccer and utilize what I have taught them to become great players.”

Licenses: E/D and Hoek Method Level Two

Joe’s Mad River United teams have taken first place on numerous occasions in the Rogue Valley, Oregon League, and Redwood Classic during his tenure.

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 - Arcata High Women's Varsity Coach

"I have been coaching soccer for 9 years all at MRYSL. I hold pre f, f,e,and d soccer coaching licences."

“Prepare relentlessly, surround yourself with great players, under promise and over deliver, be loyal to you team, study-learn-and teach, be in action, challenge yourself, be completive, have a passion, and most of all have fun!”

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 U10 Girls

Tim Laney has been coaching with MRYSL for eight years. He also worked as an assistant coach for McKinleyville High School with Pete Shepard. Tim has been playing soccer for nearly thirty years since he was nine in 1968. He played competitive soccer at Humboldt State University and currently holds an F License. Tim believes that playing soccer should be fun and that players are successful when they learn something at each practice and give 100% effort.

Current assignment:

Trel Mangarin is a four year letter winner at Humboldt State University. Final season - Fall 2008.

Current assignment:
Trainer

Sarah is a Kinesiology major at HSU and an important part of the team's midfield. After battling two seasons with knee injuries she was a regular starter in the Fall 2008 season. Honored as a CCAA All-Academic Award winner … made 19 starts in 20 appearances in 2008.

Current assignment:
Trainer

10 years with Mad River YSL. Rec and D3. "Players should want to come back the next season, so they have to have a fun and positive experience. I have my players moving and playing most of the time, rather than doing drills. The game can teach itself."

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 U10 Boys

My name is Tim Olson and I am looking forward to coaching the team next year. I am an Arcata native and played youth soccer in Arcata, travel team for Santa Rosa United (back in my day there was no competitive soccer teams in Humboldt Country, much less U16 or U18), at Arcata High School and at Humboldt State. I was lucky to have good coaches while growing up and I am very excited for the opportunity to give back to the community and to be able to share my knowledge and love of the game with your son. I have some experience coaching. I worked at Redwood Soccer Camps from high school through college; I coached Eureka High School Boys Varsity Team for nine years and have coached my two son’s teams for the past two years. I hold a National “D” Coaching license. This is a great age to work with and I think it will be a fun and educational experience.

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 U10 Boys

"I started coaching soccer at the U8 to U14 levels several years ago. But, my interest and knowledge of soccer started at age 4 in Canada when I was introduced to the game. I continued to play soccer and other competitive sports into my mid-twenties, competing in National, Pan-American and World Championship events. I have also coached and/or mentored young athletes in several sports, some of which have gone on to be national and world champions.

I enjoy utilizing soccer as a teaching tool to develop self confidence, self-awareness and individual creativity in a competitive, team-based environment. My hope is that together we will create and experience memorable moments that these players will carry with them for the rest of their lives." (G and F licenses)

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 U12 Boys

"Coaching is my chance to interact with young people and their parents. It’s always been fun for me to share what I understand with others and to learn more from everyone. As I mature I find it refreshing to deal with the younger crowd. You could even say it awakens the child in me.

“My fascination with the game of soccer began in 1968. I have been coaching and studying the game non stop since 1973. I have a degree in Physical Education, a Masters in Physical Education, a California teaching credential, and a USSF National C Soccer Coaching license.

“I expect my players to play as hard and as best they can in practice and during the game. They must respect their teammates, referees, and coaches. I want my players to learn the game of soccer in a safe, comfortable environment. Most of all I want them to enjoy the beautiful game.”

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 U10 Boys

Current junior and defender for Humboldt State. Doug was named to the All CCAA Honorable Mention Team in 2007.

Current assignment:
Trainer

Current assignment:
Fall 2009 U12 Boys