Regional Staff

Originally from Northern Ireland, Daniel's playing experience started with Ballymena United Football Club within the Northern Ireland Football League's (NIFL) professional development phase before moving to Ashford University, a nationally ranked men's soccer program in Iowa. Daniel has worked from grassroots to elite youth, holding numerous roles throughout his eight years with the Colorado Rapids, spanning four Regions of the Youth Club and the Major League Soccer (MLS) Academy. He plays an integral role in identifying and developing the best young players in the State of Colorado for a seamless transition to play at the next level, both regionally and on the national stage. A lifelong student and true soccer enthusiast, Daniel's dedication to education on and off the field is reflected in his master's degree and continued professional development across multiple governing bodies, including UEFA and USSF. He was selected in the 2023-24 class of the United Soccer Coaches 30-under-30 program, an education and mentorship opportunity designed to support up-and-coming members of the coaching profession who are 30 years of age or younger, leading the way in developing soccer players and enhancing the game.

Jessica Allen earned her Associate of Arts and Sciences – AAS degree from Front Range Community College with a focus in Accounting. She is skilled in Sales Tax, Bank Reconciliation, Accounting and Ledger Reconciliation. She has worked in the Accounting profession for 15+ years starting in Accounts Payables and working up to Staff Accountant. Jessica is a native to Colorado and loves to spend time at home with her three daughters. When she is not working, she is playing board games with her daughters or reading.

Ingrid is a Texas native who grew up in Colorado. She played for Colorado Fusion and Colorado Storm ECNL before they joined the CRYSC organization. Her soccer career also includes playing for the Colorado ODP team and participating in Mexico's National Olympics, earning 4 gold medals. She continued her soccer career at Western Colorado University where she graduated with a B.A. in Accounting and a B.A. in Business Administration with a Sociology minor. After graduating she joined CRYSC in 2020. Ingrid is overjoyed to bring her soccer career full circle as she now gets to help the new generation of soccer players.

Ashley Armstrong grew up in Castle Rock, Colorado and attended Douglas County High School while also playing for Real Colorado. She played college soccer at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs as a goalkeeper and began coaching during this time as well. Ashley has coaching experience at the high school level, club and college levels and on both the boys and the girls sides. She has coached with James Irwin Charter High School, Heritage High School and Mountain Vista High School and with Colorado United as both a head coach and goalkeeper coach. She then furthered her career in a director role with Utah Storm, which recently merged with Utah Celtic. Here, Ashley served 6 years as the Director of Goalkeeping and Director of the Academy Program, as well as head coaching teams. In Utah she also was a goalkeeper coach for Utah Valley University (D1), Snow College (Junior College), and Salt Lake Community College. Ashley has also been coaching in the ODP program in Utah for the past six years and most recently led the 2010 Utah girls to be regional finalists. She also has coached at the regional ODP level for both the East and West regions. Ashley’s passion for growing the game by helping other coaches learn to better their coaching, as well as growing herself, is what brought her to Colorado Rapids. She is excited to get to know and work with all of the U11-14 South coaches and players! Ashley currently holds a US Soccer A-Youth License and has completed a Master’s Degree in coaching soccer from Ohio University in 2017. She also was a member of the 30 Under 30 Program from United Soccer Coaches and holds her Premier Diploma and Advanced National Goalkeeper Diploma.

Carlos "Charlie" Alvarez Bacha comes from Mexico City originally where he played semi-pro soccer from 1996 to 1999 with Pumas TUC and Necaxa Chalco as a Striker. He continued to play and coach in Mexico until he moved to the US in 2008. He started as a volunteer coach for the Texas Premier Club in Katy, Texas before coming on as a professional staff member at another Texas club. He started at CRYSC as a coach in 2018. Currently, he oversees Soccer Start and 6U/7U Director for the South Region. Being part of CRYSC has been an all-time highlight in his career, sharing his passion for this beautiful game with his players.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Michael moved to Houston with his family at a young age. While playing for local club Houstonians, Michael moved through the Olympic Development Program (ODP) ranks, earning the opportunity to represent the United States at the U17 National Team level. He spent two years in the Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida. Michael attended the University of Akron and was part of the Zips NCAA D1 National Champions in 2010. Moving straight into coaching after Akron, Michael worked with various elite teams in some of the top clubs around the Houston area. Soccer roots run deep in the Balogun household, as both Michael and his wife are coaches.

Katie Beaudoin was born and raised in Colorado. She started playing soccer as a small child, starting coaching in some capacity at the age of 16 and never stopped. Now with two adult children of her own, Katie has seen the sport through a player’s eyes, a coach’s eyes, and a parent’s eyes. Katie believes that coaching is best done by figuring out each player's learning style and using methods within that style to teach the game she loves, soccer. Katie thoroughly enjoys working with coaches, players, and parents alike.

Nate grew up playing soccer in Arkansas with his friends. He quickly fell in love with the game and all the camaraderie that came with it. He went on to play in college at Central Baptist and Northeastern State. While in school, he got his first coaching license and began coaching competitive youth. Upon graduation, he transitioned into coaching college soccer at Central Baptist and youth soccer with Little Rock Football Club. He has since transitioned to CRYSC in his community of Castle Rock. There, he most enjoys having the opportunity to work with coaches and players in developing a lifelong love for the game and continued self-development.