by Stephanie Elgin
Somewhere in the middle of it all, David Vaudreuil chose soccer, and he has been successful ever since. Now, he’s taking his talents and sharing it with some of the young athletes in our Valley.
Hawaiian born, David Vaudreuil grew up in Canton, Connecticut, where soccer was a popular sport that most kids played. His interest was particularly sparked after his neighbor won a state championship. “I was only eight or nine years old,” stated David, “but it definitely got me motivated.”
by Stephanie Elgin Somewhere in the middle of it all, David Vaudreuil chose soccer, and he has been successful ever since. Now, he’s taking his talents and sharing it with some of the young athletes in our Valley. Hawaiian born, David Vaudreuil grew up in Canton, Connecticut, where soccer was a popular sport that most kids played. His interest was particularly sparked after his neighbor won a state championship. “I was only eight or nine years old,” stated David, “but it definitely got me motivated.” David continued his love for sports in high school by joining the soccer, baseball and basketball team. “Though I played a lot of sports in high school, I eventually decided to just pursue soccer.” After graduating, David went to Princeton University, where he played four years of soccer. He continued his career, playing fourteen years of professional soccer internationally, touring Europe, Latin America, Hong Kong and Japan. He also spent seven years in Major League Soccer, wearing the uniforms and representing the Miami Fusion, Chicago Fire, D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids, taking home two MLS championship cups for D.C. United in 1996 and 1997. David also won the Mexican Indoor Championship in 1994 with Puebla F.C. “These championships are definitely highlights of my career,” states David. In 2004, David made the switch from player to coach as he was asked to head the Atlanta Silverbacks, managing all areas of the USL First Division pro soccer team. David led the team with a 14-11-3 record. He’s also credited with helping launch a European style football club for the Hollywood United Football Club LLC. Hired by Anthony LaPaglia, David served as the Executive Director of both the Non-Profit Youth Soccer Academy and Charitable Organization and the HUFC LLC for-profit company. So how did the major league athlete make his way to Santa Clarita? “Clint Greenwood, the Santa Clarita United Technical Director, asked me for a favor to help coach an Under-12 girls soccer team. We knew many of the same people being from the Los Angeles area, and we both thought it would be a great idea to collaborate,” states David. David joined the staff of the Santa Clarita United Soccer Club and now serves as the director as well as coach and individual trainer for the club. “You have to be a leader and know something about the game,” says David, “you want to set a great example and high standard that spreads throughout the organization and teams.” And a high standard he set. Last November, the Santa Clarita Girls U-12 soccer team clenched their second straight division championship. They competed against teams all across Southern California capturing the Northern Division crown. The girls advanced to the Silver Elite Division for the 2009 season. Recently, David’s U-12 girls team competed in the State Cup and won their first game in the quarterfinals. The semi-final game ended in a heartbreaking double overtime loss but David couldn’t be any more proud of his team. “Reaching the final four is an accomplishment in itself. We handed out league championship medals and celebrated with a team party. It was a great way to end the season.” |
|