Weston FC’s coach Andres Luna returns to train and play with the USA Deaf National Team. Recently one of our very own Weston FC coaches, Andres Luna, who is partially hard of hearing traveled to San Diego, California. He was invited to train and play at one of the most prestigious training facilities in the United States – Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. This is his 4th year with the USA Deaf Men’s National Team. He has become an integral part of the team since his debut back in 2011 in Venezuela. Coach Luna worked his way up from being a rookie on the team in his first year to earning deaf Player of the tournament in DC in November 2014. Recently in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon University in 2014 he was called up to play attacking center mid as a starter and did an outstanding job and impressed the coaches with his technical foot skills, vision and the ability to compete and make an impact. His coach said, “Luna has come up in the ranks with his maturity and consistency on and off the field and it is impressive to see players merge from the bench and make an impact tremendously”
Coach Luna was again listed in the 35 man roster to attend 2015 training camp at Chula Vista Olympic Training Center in southern San Diego. His presence immediately received a warm welcome by the USA deaf staff coaches and his teammates for his upbeat, charismatic personality. He is now one of the veterans on the USA Deaf National Team and has earned respect by all his teammates, including the rookies who are coming up as he did. USA staff coach said “When Luna arrived at the camp; everyone was happy and excited to have him here because the players know they can always count on Luna on and off the field. He is always there for his teammates”
Coach Luna arrived determined and with the hunger to provide more for his team and contribute with his experience and knowledge to make his team better. Luna immediately earned his spot in the starting lineup as a center attacking midfielder in training and in games. He performed with an impact immediately working on possession and keeping the ball to provide more opportunity for his team to score.
Coach Luna responded with 3 goals in 2 intense games in 3 days wearing the USA color of red, white and blue and playing center attacking mid. His passion, determination and drive to win earned the respect of his veteran teammates and rookie players at this short but long intense camp.
Coach Luna said, “When I was given this opportunity to start for the Deaf National Team I had no choice but to seize the moment and take advantage of my playing time and chances. I had to score every time we were in the attack. I wanted to make every play happen and make sure my team has success whether I scored or my teammates scored”
Coach Luna will be patiently waiting for an email or call up again for the future Pan AM games for Team USA and will stay focused and working this year with Weston FC boys U9 Blue and Boys U10 Blue. This is Coach Luna’s fifth year at Weston FC and he is ready to start the season with his new teams. He is excited to start working with new and returning players at Weston FC.
Boys Director Victor Pastora says, “To have coach Luna working with our Weston FC players of U9s-U10s is something we all appreciate. His time, dedication and passion to work with these age groups is remarkable”
President Steve Ziegler says, “This young man has a National B license and National Youth License and competes at the highest level of United States Deaf Soccer and to have him here working with our younger age groups is something we are lucky and fortunate to have here at Weston FC.”
You can follow Coach Luna on Instagram at Andres.Luna11.