Deza has been running SD Surf the last 3 years. Has done a great job down south and turned Surf into arguably the top girls club in so cal. Perfect place for him. Unlimited resources and money to run the show any way you want.
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Some NorCal teams with similarities to EPL Clubs...
- Thread starter shirivelli
- Start date
Bay-tastic
BRONZE
Bay Area Surf is losing ECNL Girls Director Carlos Minjivar to Los Gatos United, just a year after he arrived from MVLA. Under his tenure, every team except 12G qualified for Nationals, with the 2010s even reaching the semis.
Rumors surrounding his recruiting tactics may have stirred tension, but they don’t square right. When a club consistently delivers results and lowers pay-to-play rosters, top talent follows naturally. Mustang’s geographic distance limits its appeal (and they have been losing their touch lately), and De Anza, beyond its standout 2008s, has struggled with lingering complacency in the recent years.
If Los Gatos transitions from RL into ECNL, it could further dilute the talent pool. With more clubs vying for fragmented top-tier players, NorCal teams face an uphill battle to field true Nationals contenders. NorCal clubs need to represent at ECNL against top-tier teams from Michigan, Texas, and especially SoCal. This is definitely TBD with all these developments...
Rumors surrounding his recruiting tactics may have stirred tension, but they don’t square right. When a club consistently delivers results and lowers pay-to-play rosters, top talent follows naturally. Mustang’s geographic distance limits its appeal (and they have been losing their touch lately), and De Anza, beyond its standout 2008s, has struggled with lingering complacency in the recent years.
If Los Gatos transitions from RL into ECNL, it could further dilute the talent pool. With more clubs vying for fragmented top-tier players, NorCal teams face an uphill battle to field true Nationals contenders. NorCal clubs need to represent at ECNL against top-tier teams from Michigan, Texas, and especially SoCal. This is definitely TBD with all these developments...
No one goes from Surf to Los Gatos by choice. Something must have occurred to lose the surf gig If I had to guess. I heard the Surf 09 is losing much of their starting line up to other clubs. That could be a reason or part of it?Bay Area Surf is losing ECNL Girls Director Carlos Minjivar to Los Gatos United, just a year after he arrived from MVLA. Under his tenure, every team except 12G qualified for Nationals, with the 2010s even reaching the semis.
Rumors surrounding his recruiting tactics may have stirred tension, but they don’t square right. When a club consistently delivers results and lowers pay-to-play rosters, top talent follows naturally. Mustang’s geographic distance limits its appeal (and they have been losing their touch lately), and De Anza, beyond its standout 2008s, has struggled with lingering complacency in the recent years.
If Los Gatos transitions from RL into ECNL, it could further dilute the talent pool. With more clubs vying for fragmented top-tier players, NorCal teams face an uphill battle to field true Nationals contenders. NorCal clubs need to represent at ECNL against top-tier teams from Michigan, Texas, and especially SoCal. This is definitely TBD with all these developments...
I guess MVLA 09's winning the national title this month is nothing? Yes, so cal will always rule and that will never change but the top teams in each age group from nor cal are still pretty good. Surf 10's making the final 4 as another example. You need luck in knockout type of brackets to go far even if you're talented. MVLA 09 probably isn't the top team in the country but a good example of getting hot at the right time and some luck going their way can lead to a special achievement.
No one goes from Surf to Los Gatos by choice. Something must have occurred to lose the surf gig If I had to guess. I heard the Surf 09 is losing much of their starting line up to other clubs. That could be a reason or part of it?
I guess MVLA 09's winning the national title this month is nothing? Yes, so cal will always rule and that will never change but the top teams in each age group from nor cal are still pretty good. Surf 10's making the final 4 as another example. You need luck in knockout type of brackets to go far even if you're talented. MVLA 09 probably isn't the top team in the country but a good example of getting hot at the right time and some luck going their way can lead to a special achievement.
I’ve heard similar things about the 09s, and honestly, that’s just part of the trade-off with BA Surf. This club can assemble a competitive team fairly fast, thanks to its mercenary-style approach, but it comes with a distinct atmosphere. Parents rarely engage with each other, players form cliques, and the overall dominant focus is winning and advancing personal agendas through ID2, YNT, scouting and similar programs.
It works well when a team’s flying high. But the moment any team's performance dips or cracks appear, loyalty vanishes quickly with players bolt for greener pastures without hesitation. Sure, every youth club has a bit of this, but it’s especially pronounced at BA Surf, where there’s little sense of community or belonging. In the end, it’s just a matter of picking your poison in the world of U.S. youth soccer.
Sounds like you're giving him a lot of credit for 1 year of service. Wasn't Bay Area Surf already pretty strong before his arrival?Bay Area Surf is losing ECNL Girls Director Carlos Minjivar to Los Gatos United, just a year after he arrived from MVLA. Under his tenure, every team except 12G qualified for Nationals, with the 2010s even reaching the semis.
Rumors surrounding his recruiting tactics may have stirred tension, but they don’t square right. When a club consistently delivers results and lowers pay-to-play rosters, top talent follows naturally. Mustang’s geographic distance limits its appeal (and they have been losing their touch lately), and De Anza, beyond its standout 2008s, has struggled with lingering complacency in the recent years.
If Los Gatos transitions from RL into ECNL, it could further dilute the talent pool. With more clubs vying for fragmented top-tier players, NorCal teams face an uphill battle to field true Nationals contenders. NorCal clubs need to represent at ECNL against top-tier teams from Michigan, Texas, and especially SoCal. This is definitely TBD with all these developments...
Bay-tastic
BRONZE
Sounds like you're giving him a lot of credit for 1 year of service. Wasn't Bay Area Surf already pretty strong before his arrival?
Some history… Bay Area Surf has evolved significantly. Once anchored in the SJ Earthquakes’ Girls DA, it carried forward elite talent and leadership. After the DA league shut down in 2020 (covid effect), BA Surf transitioned to GA and later earned ECNL status in 2022–2023. Their standout 2025 class with 20+ college recruits likely marks the end of that legacy.
Today, the club still draws talent by leaning on its success stemming from DA roots, but signs of complacency are showing. Coach Carlos was brought in to inject a fresh perspective, yet his impact may have short-lived with his departure.
Coach Carlos' strong regional ties with both coaches and players (clinics) make his move to Los Gatos United a promising step in their ECNL pursuit.
Did you have Chat GPT write that? Sounds like a marketing campaign.Some history… Bay Area Surf has evolved significantly. Once anchored in the SJ Earthquakes’ Girls DA, it carried forward elite talent and leadership. After the DA league shut down in 2020 (covid effect), BA Surf transitioned to GA and later earned ECNL status in 2022–2023. Their standout 2025 class with 20+ college recruits likely marks the end of that legacy.
Today, the club still draws talent by leaning on its success stemming from DA roots, but signs of complacency are showing. Coach Carlos was brought in to inject a fresh perspective, yet his impact may have short-lived with his departure.
Coach Carlos' strong regional ties with both coaches and players (clinics) make his move to Los Gatos United a promising step in their ECNL pursuit.
Bay-tastic
BRONZE
No, I have a pretty decent degree from a decent school to write this up myself. I tried to lay out facts and share my personal perspective here. Of course, differing views are welcome. I believe that’s the purpose of forums like this to hear diverse views, which is good for everyone.Did you have Chat GPT write that? Sounds like a marketing campaign.
Didn't a few of the BA Surf 07 players go down to San Diego Surf and play for Andres' Championship Surf 06 team and got committed while there? Then they went back north.No, I have a pretty decent degree from a decent school to write this up myself. I tried to lay out facts and share my personal perspective here. Of course, differing views are welcome. I believe that’s the purpose of forums like this to hear diverse views, which is good for everyone.
futboldad1
PREMIER
Andres did not coach the 06 team the season they won their natty (u19)…it was JHDidn't a few of the BA Surf 07 players go down to San Diego Surf and play for Andres' Championship Surf 06 team and got committed while there? Then they went back north
You're rt...but those players arrived a season earlier, didn't they?Andres did not coach the 06 team the season they won their natty (u19)…it was JH
I'm just giving you shit... but it does sound 'marketing-y'. You noted that "under his tenure", which is apparently 1 year, but my point is that I remember Bay Area being pretty damned good under Deza.No, I have a pretty decent degree from a decent school to write this up myself. I tried to lay out facts and share my personal perspective here. Of course, differing views are welcome. I believe that’s the purpose of forums like this to hear diverse views, which is good for everyone.
HMFootballLover
BRONZE
From what I've heard, the main reason Carlos left Surf was to focus more on family and get a better work-life balance. Sounds like things are still good with Surf since his wife’s still coaching there. The fact that LGU pays coaches well probably helped with the move too.