Colorado Rapids Personal & Team Training

Etzael Gonzalez a Dallas, Texas native enters his second year with the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club serving as part of the coaching staff at NCAA Division 1 Men’s soccer program at the University of South Florida. During Coach Gonzalez’s tenure at the University of South Florida (USF), the Bulls achieved a notable record of 9-7-4. Notably, the team experienced a remarkable resurgence in the latter half of the season, amassing an impressive 6-3-1 record. This surge culminated in their appearance in the American Athletic Conference Championship Final, marking their return to this stage for the first time since 2016. Furthermore, the Bulls secured an At-Large Bid to the 2022 NCAA Championship Tournament, marking their first participation since 2019. In a thrilling first-round match against Hofstra, they emerged victorious with a 4-2 scoreline, marking their first NCAA tournament win since 2011. South Florida’s achievement of scoring four goals in this match equaled the school’s record for the most goals scored in an NCAA Tournament match, a feat previously accomplished in a 4-4 draw against Virginia in 2005. Gonzalez joined the Bulls after three seasons as the Performance Analyst for the NCAA Division 1 Women’s soccer program, the University of Oklahoma Women’s soccer program. Following his playing collegiate career at Hardin-Simmons University, Gonzalez went on to open his coaching career with MLS Club member FC Dallas Youth. At the Academy and youth side, he mentored US youth national team players of the FC Dallas’ Academy, working side-by-side with Academy and North Texas SC coaches. Gonzalez would go on to join OU’s Strength and Conditioning Department in the Summer of 2019, where he reported to the Olympic Sports Director. Shortly thereafter, Gonzalez expanded his role at OU to the soccer pitch, joining the women’s soccer staff. Gonzalez earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2019 at Hardin-Simmons University and a master’s degree in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration at the University of Oklahoma in 2023, where he was previously funded as an academic graduate assistant for student-athletes in various sports.

Gonzalez was awarded the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 for the 24-25 year designed to support up-and-coming members of the coaching profession who are 30 years of age or younger. Gonzalez holds a USSF “B” and UEFA “C” through the Scottish FA. He is currently pursuing his “A” license through US Soccer and UEFA B License through the Scottish FA

Etzael’s looks to motivate, inspire, and challenge his players through a myriad of modalities in the overall development of the player. He is keen to always take care of the person before the player. All sessions are set to demand from the player physically, cognitively, tactically, and technically. Players are going to be pushed in the best manner possible that helps them evolve as both a person and player.

Jordan Brumley was born in Greeley, Colorado and raised between Steamboat and the northern front range until the age of 12. In 2002, the whole family moved to Haiti bringing multi-cultural and international experience to CRYSC (fluent in Creole- Kreyol- and conversational French). He started his Professional Career at the age of 16 with Roulado FC, 1st Division in Haiti. He then played for 2 further HFF teams, spending some time with the U17 Haiti National Team as a non-national. Summers starting In 2007, he joined the USL’s Cleveland City Stars (Reserves) and started playing at Fort Lewis College- Durango, CO- in 2008. He earned his BA as an Exercise Specialist with a C-PT (personal training: NCSF) certification in 2012. Jordan was coaching throughout his playing career, but began full-time coaching in Hawaii after college: 2014. He has experience coaching all ages from youth, young and old, through college and most recently Pro Academy (4+ years with DC United). Joining the Rapids in summer of 2022, he has a USSF C license and is enrolled in the UEFA C coaching course in the fall 22/23 through the Scottish FA

Jordan focuses on individual and small groups. He utilizes his educational foundation and player intellect to develop players with strong soccer skills and a passion for the game. He emphasizes everything physical (speed, agility, balance, stability, explosivity, hypertrophy, and all muscle related focuses) within the context of the game. Using a combination of cerebral and physiological challenges, he focuses on the mental side of the game and how it enables and affects the player’s physical attributes.

Ryan is currently the DOC for the U11 and U12 age groups at CRYSC South. He recently moved to Colorado from Houston, TX where he served as the MLS Next Director at Total Football Club, an affiliate of Houston Dynamo. Prior to TFC, Ryan was an Academy Head Coach for the Orlando City Development Academy working with every age within their DA over his 3+ years there. Prior to Orlando City, Ryan held various roles within the New York Red Bulls development system, including Pre-Academy Head Coach as well as Coaching Educator roles. He has spent many years within multiple MLS Academies and has had the pleasure of seeing dozens of his former players arrive at professional contracts inside and outside of the United States, as well as, many successful college careers.

Specializes in small and large group training as it benefits the most important, and often lacking, side of the American player: Decision Making. Blending the individual abilities (technique) and individual behaviors of the player while helping them to understand how they apply to the collective (team) behaviors is vital when working with players in small groups. Focus in technical efficiency and speed of thought and play is vital for the highest level player within youth soccer. He believes players perform and develop when the demands are high and is always amazed at what players accomplish with high expectations.

Carlos “Charlie” Alvarez Bacha played semi pro soccer from 1996 to 1999 with Pumas TUC and Necaxa Chalco as a Striker and played college soccer at Mexico’ City’s La Salle University Law Faculty. He began his coaching career as a volunteer coach for Texas Premier Club in Katy, Texas, and became a staff coach with Eclipse Soccer Club in Sugar Land, Texas. In 2014, he became Elite Futbol Club U9-U10 Academy Director. In December 2017, he moved to Colorado with his wife and daughter. He started at CRYSC in March 2018 in the Central Region REC Plus program before coaching in the South Select 9U-10U & 11U-12U Competitive program. He was CRYSC Soccer Start Director for Central and South Regions overseeing the 3-5 years old players. Starting 2021, then became the Soccer Start 6U/7U Director for the South Region. He’s involved now in the ECNL 2006 Boys team as well.

Every detail counts to build up the set of skills to play better, individually and collectively. “A good Technical Execution leads to a great Tactical Application”.

Levi is originally from Thornton Colorado and played for a club that eventually became Rapids North. Levi attended Metro State where played and earned his degree in Secondary Social Studies education. Levi has been coaching in the South region for 7 years and worked with all ages and stages that the club offers. He has also been involved the Colorado ODP program and Region IV ODP program.

Levi believes that personal training is an avenue to unlock a players individual skill set. Working one on one with a coach, players can ask detailed questions that pertain to their own individual development.

Chris grew up just outside of Manchester, England, where he spent his formative years immersed in a soccer culture known for its passion and love of the game. That same love of the game is still very much a part of Chris’s life after years of playing, from a young boy and throughout college, where he played for the Edge Hill University’s Men’s team for three years in North-West England before relocating to the US. Chris has been coaching at the youth level for over 10yrs. He holds licenses and diplomas with multiple governing bodies and associations, including FA England, UEFA, US Soccer Federation, United Soccer Coaches, and United Futsal.

Chris views success as a byproduct of development; therefore, he will always focus on developing a young player’s technique to foster good habits from the offset. The 8U-10U age group is where Chris specializes, working in 1-on-1, small group, and team settings. The use of video is consistent within his sessions to help provide real-time feedback to his players.