Rafael Soares is in his first season as a volunteer assistant coach for the women’s soccer team. Soares, who holds his national US Soccer B License, primarily assists with the team’s goalkeepers during practice and matches.
Soares brings over a decade of coaching experience at the high school and youth club soccer levels to the Spartans. For the last six seasons, Soares has been the head coach for the Mountain View Los Altos Vipers U-14 development program.
Soares also has 10 years of playing experience as a goalkeeper with various Brazilian professional teams including Canoas Futebol Clube, Sport Clube Internacional and Novo Hamburgo de Campo Bom. He began his playing career at the age 20 when he was the keeper for Cruzerio-POA.
Soares moved to the United States in 2002 and played two seasons while attending Foothill College.
The native of Novo Hamburgo, Brazil now resides in San José, Calif., with his wife Patricia and daughter Luna.