Coaching - Bios

Coach Asael Amaya

Coach Asael Amaya has a lifelong experience with the game of soccer.  Born and raised in El Salvador, Central America, Coach Amaya has been playing soccer since he began walking.  As a youth player, he played with local and regional academy teams and at the age of 16 was drafted to play with the semi professional team of El Salvador.  Upon moving to the United States in 1992, Coach Amaya has played with Latino Sports Association of WI and their All Star team, Club Latino Majors and the Croatian Eagles Majors.  He has over 10 years in youth coaching experience as an academy team coach for U12-U14 boys in El Salvador, has volunteered his time with the St. Matthias soccer program in Milwaukee and now as head coach of the U8 teams with Croatian Eagles Soccer Club where his younger son Lucas is playing.  "Coaching is teaching the basics and technique, giving the kids the tools needed for success on and off the field. It is about instilling confidence, self control, and most of all a love and passion for the game."

Coach Amaya's older son Antonio is playing with the Croatian Eagles U12 Red team. "When my son Antonio was at the U9 age, I brought him to the Croatians.  It's a club I know and trust.  It's serious soccer, great families and skilled and knowledgeable coaches."

Coach Amaya holds a WYSA E license.  He currently enjoys playing with the Croatian Eagles over 30's team as well as pickup games, anytime, anywhere!

 Soccer, the REAL FUTBOL!

Coach Nick Gomez

Coaching:

2008 D - License

2006 - Present Croatian Eagles Soccer Club   

Head Coach of Select:

U-10 and U - 11(Present)

Playing History:

2003 - Bavarian Soccer Club ( Premier League )  2003- 2004 Polonia Soccer Club Majors Team

2004 - Bavarian Soccer Club 1^st Division Team    2005 - Bavarian Soccer Club 1^st Division Team

2006 - Bavarian Soccer Club Majors Team           2006 - U 23 Croatian Eagles

2007 - Croatian Eagles 1^st Division

Coach Chris Metcalf

Playing Bio

- Grenoble, France

- Univ of WI - Madison 4 years

- Madison 56's

- Madison United

 - Trevian Soccer Club

Coaching Bio                                                                                            Coaching Licenses

- Reno United    -Milwaukee Kickers                                             -USSF National D License

- Lake Forest H.S. Girls Varsity - Croatian Eagles                      - KNVP        -Brazil Cam

Coach Abe Mok

I started playing when I was 7 in Amsterdam at an amateur club named Arsenal.  We became a district champion when I was thirteen. I continued to play there until I was 15.

Switch to Indoor and became a goalie and played 6 years, 3 undefeated seasons and Champion ships.

In 1985 I moved to the US and was not involved in soccer for a while and then played in the over 30 league for 6 years.

I have played now for almost 40 years. WOW!!

Abe has been coaching since 1995 first at his kid's grade school, then at the club starting in 2002 or 2003.

I have my E license and will go for D this summer.

I currently co-coach the U17 team with Chris Metcalf.

Coach Paul Pogodzinski

Paul Pogodzinski comes to the Croatian Eagles Soccer Club as the assistant coach for the U8 boys soccer teams where his son Ryan is playing.  Coach Paul brings to the club a wealth of coaching and playing experience as sports have been an integral part of his life throughout his youth, high school, college years and beyond. He is an all around athlete, enjoying and playing competitively the games of soccer, football, basketball and baseball.  Coach Paul has over 15 years experience coaching for youth sports organizations including the Croatian Eagles Soccer Club, volunteering with the St. Matthias soccer program, coaching AAU basketball, Little League and select baseball teams.   His teams have enjoyed success over the years including winning state championships and competing in national tournaments

Coach Acasio Roche JR.

Acasio Roche, Jr. 60 yrs of age currently holds a Class E coaching License issued through the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association (WYCA) and is the coach for the Croatian Eagles U-9 girls' team.

Acasio played soccer since the age of 12 when he had the opportunity through the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), at Old St. Mary, to be part of this relatively new sport to Milwaukee. At that time, he became known as the ‘best goalie' within that league.  In the Army, Acasio enjoyed participating in recreational pick-up games in Germany, and then in 1971 be joined the Milwaukee Kickers Organization and played primarily as a fullback for about 15 years. He also played with the men's over-30 leagues with the Internationals and then briefly with the Croatian Eagles.

Acasio has coached youth soccer since his first son turned 4 years old over 30 years ago. He coached for the Milwaukee Kickers Organization, Sherman Park league; for the Catholic School league, Our Lady of Sorrows & Corpus Christi. His coaching focus was on the young, primarily ages 4 through 12.  Acasio occasionally coached high school boys indoor to ‘help keep his boys in shape in the off season'.

As Coach, Acasio is able to assist in the third generation of Roche's playing soccer in the USA. His granddaughter is one of the girls on the Eagles U-9 team.  Acasio's coaching directives come with love of the sport and with love of youth having fun developing their skills and always with a smile

Acasio Roche III

Acasio "Casey" Roche has been involved in soccer from birth.  Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI.  He played for the Milwaukee Kickers in his youth and then, in 1988, became a player for the Croatian Eagles Soccer Club where he still plays today for the men's over 30 Team.

His coaching for the Eagles began in 2002 when he sought a soccer home for his oldest daughter;  3 kids later, you can usually find him at Croatian Park running a practice somewhere.  Currently he is the coach of several teams which include, : Girls U-9's, Boys U-11's, Girls U-13's, Girls U-14's, and assists with the Women's Over 30 Team.

"These are the greatest days of our kid's lives, playing a game that is not only fun but rewarding.  Watching your parents scream in excitement, thinking of your teammates as if they were super heroes, and  believing in yourself because well.... everyone else does.  All that and after the game is over, someone hands you a snack and says great job!  Who could ask for more?"

Currently Holds WYSA "E" License in Coaching

Coach Joe Schauer

U9, U11, U12 Boys

U13, U14 Girls 

-Member of the Croatian Eagles Soccer Club since 1983

-Currently holds a "D" Coaching License

-Started coaching for the Croatian Eagles in 1987

U19 boys 1987-1991

- 12 years Varsity High School Coach for boys and girls (Mukwonago, Greenfield 1989-2001)

-2001- Present Youth Coach Croatian Eagles Ages U5-U14

-Extensive playing experience including college and 15 years Wisconsin Major Division.

-Currently playing Croatian Eagles Over-30 

"My goal is to develop top quality soccer players while also developing top quality Human Beings" 

Coach Aaron Schroeder

- Assistant varsity coach at Pius XI for 5 years
- Played for the Bavarians as a youth
- Three-time state champion Croatian Eagles Majors
- Played with the Milwaukee Wave United and St. Louis professional outdoor teams
- Appeared in three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games with the Croatian Eagles
- Majors
- Coaches the U15 Boys 1^st Division team at the Croatian Eagles S.C.

Coach Jerry Serketich

I have coached my son's team (current U9 Boys White) for the last 5 years and also was assistant coach for girls U13 and U14 (2006-2008) Croatian state league teams with Tom Kuzmanovic which my daughter played on.  (She currently plays U18 with Todd Borts and will be playing with Greendale HS this spring)

Licenses:  WYSA "E" Level License

Coach Scott Surprise

Varsity coach at Pius XI for eight years

Coaching for 21 years at the club Premier, High School, and Junior College levels

Has several USSF and NSCAA licenses

Selected in both 2006 and 2007 as coach in the Wisconsin High School All-Star Game

2007 WSCA Private School Coach of the Year

Current youth director of the Croatian Eagles S.C. and U14 Boys Premier coach.

Philosophy: Respect the game, your school, team, and opponents. Prepare yourself mentally and physically to compete at the highest level possible. Decision making under pressure is key to advance to the next level.

Coach Brian Tabbert

Brian has been playing competitive soccer since childhood.  Starting at 5 years old, he played club soccer in Bay View and at St. Veronica's grade school.  He continued playing club through high school where he also played at Milwaukee Tech High School.  Currently, he plays for Over 30 Men's Team for the Croatian Eagles. 

His love of the game is contagious.  In fact, his passion for soccer has spread throughout his own home where both of his children play for our club.  Brian started coaching with Micro Soccer for 4 years and has now been with our program for the past 2 years. 

 Coach Steve Zawlocki