This year, LACES welcomed a fresh face to coach the boys’ varsity soccer team. Coach Daniel Behrendt brings with him a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach.
Coach Behrendt’s deep roots in soccer can be traced back to his early childhood, and his playing career that spanned three continents and even more leagues.
“I started playing soccer when I was five and ended up playing in high school and for the Olympic development program,” said Behrendt.
In addition, he played for the University of California, Berkeley from 1987 to 1992 before pursuing his career overseas with stops in Italy, Tunisia and Israel. While playing for Berkeley, Coach Behrendt was on the team for the California Kickers inaugural season in the Western Soccer Alliance.
Beyond his extensive playing background, Coach Behrendt has also cultivated a rich coaching history.
“I have my D license from US Soccer, that’s the entity that certifies coaches for the National Olympic teams,” said Behrendt. Currently pursuing his C license, his coaching journey has taken him across the globe, having coached both youth talent and semi-professional teams in South Korea. He has imparted his knowledge in the men’s and women’s game, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to player development.
Coach Behrendt has a clear, concise approach to coaching the LACES boys varsity soccer team.
“I think first and foremost, I like to focus on the safety of the players,” said Behrendt. “So everything we do is about making sure that we’re doing it in a way that is safe. The second thing is that I want to make sure that the players are learning new things, learning how to play in a way that is unique to them. I want them to always be creative when they play.”
Coach Behrendt is passionate about nurturing a creative, tactical soccer style among his players, fostering individual growth while maintaining the essence of the game.
“And, of course, having fun underlies everything,” said Behrendt.
Since Coach Behrendt’s arrival, he has been finding out what the team is capable of.
“He is really just trying to figure out what the players are comfortable with and how we work together right now,” said senior co-captain Amir Edwards.
