Hidden Coaching Staff
 

Ben Somoza



Executive Director

Ben Somoza has served as the Technical Director for Washington Rush since 2009. He has a USSF “A” License and National Youth License. Ben has been coaching youth soccer since 2002. His resume includes Boys’ Head Coach at Kings High School (2007-2010) where he led the team to two straight state championship title games, winning the State Championship in 2008. He was named the 2008 High School WIAA State Coach of the Year and the 2010 Cascade Conference Coach of the Year. He served as an assistant coach with the University of Washington Men’s team for two years (2008-2009), and in 2012 traveled to Spain with the USSF where he studied the La Liga pro and youth soccer club systems.

An Edmonds native, Ben played for South Snohomish County Allemania and Edmonds-Woodway High School, where he was both Everett Herald Player of the Year and Seattle Times Athlete of the Year in 1998. He played four seasons at the University of Washington where he won three Pac-10 championships, serving as captain and making All Pac-10 his final three seasons. He was a member of the U.S. National amateur side in 2001.

Ben’s professional playing career started in 2002 when he was drafted and signed by the Portland Timbers. He later played for the Seattle Sounders for four seasons where he was a part of their 2005 Championship run.

Ben currently serves on the North County Board of Directors as the VP of Development.


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DA Events
Further updates upon release from US Soccer.
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DA Philosophy

Philosophy

“The Rush Way to Play is based upon movement and activity by both player and ball. Possession-oriented does not fully describe how we play; attack-oriented does. Whether in possession or in defense, we are attacking. Rush Players play with freedom, yet understand the importance of responsibility and the balance between the two. Rush teams are flexible and adapt to varying circumstances. The Rush Way to Play represents both passion and purpose”.

•     Players are to be comfortable with a possession-based passing game, where the team will look to try and play out from the back in a coordinated and controlled manner and is developed through the thirds in order to produce goal-scoring opportunities when possible

•     Players will look to recognize opportunities to play forward and execute counter-attacking opportunities where possible but not at the expense of losing possession

•     Players will, upon losing possession, look to immediately regain possession by defending from the front as a preferred option, or to drop and establish a compact defensive shape when unable to do so

•     Above all, our teams are expected to display a competitive and winning mentality – winning games is of importance; however, this is not at the expense of the playing philosophy

The U12 age group will predominantly focus on technical development incorporating decision-making and consideration for basic principles of play. They will play predominantly in a flexible 4-2-2 formation with players encouraged to rotate positions. The U13 & U14 age groups will focus more toward tactical understanding and technical refinement. Players will still be required to have an understanding of a range of positions but as they progress through this phase should begin to develop a primary position within the team. 11v11 games will adopt a flexible 4-3-3 formation. The key aspect regarding formations is that they are a guide. The style of play is dictated by the playing philosophy and takes precedence overall.

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DA Vision
DA Vision info coming soon.
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DA Facilities
Kasch Park

Cavelero Middle High School

Archbishop Murphy High School

Mill Creek Sports Park

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Futsal Text goes here.
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DA Academy Graduates to Sounders FC
Info coming soon.
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DA Uniforms
As part of our agreement with Adidas, Washington Rush provides all uniform items for Development Academy players. Items included in this agreement are Home and Away Jerseys, Shorts and Socks, Warm-Up Jacket and Pants, Cleats and Runners.