March 11, 2011

Stanford, Calif. - Stanford head coach Bret Simon has announced that associate head coach Rob Becerra will be leaving Stanford to accept a new position with U.S. Soccer. Becerra will be the U.S. Soccer Technical Advisor for Southern California.

"We are proud of and excited for Rob," said Simon. "This new opportunity with U.S. Soccer will help him continue to grow in our profession and will allow him to make an important impact in our sport at the national level. At the same time, it will enable Rob and his wife Sam along with their daughters Emma and Julia to be close to their families."

Becerra leaves Stanford after fives years with the program. He was a valued member of the staff that helped lead Stanford to the Round of 16 in the NCAA tournament in 2009. Becerra, who is a former goalkeeper, was particularly instrumental in the development of the goalkeepers and the defense as a whole.

In his new position with U.S. Soccer, Becerra will be responsible for indentifying and training top talent in Southern California. Becerra will work will all of the clubs in the area as someone who will not necessarily be thinking of wins and losses, but improving the skills of youth players that are seen as potential members of the national team programs.

U.S. Soccer has eight technical advisors throughout the country, but Becerra will focus on Southern California, perhaps the densest area for youth soccer talent in the nation.

Simon is already accepting applications for Becerra's replacement at Stanford and hopes to have a successor in the near future.