Nomads Soccer Club’s Success in the San Diego Community
San Diego is home to some of the most promising youth soccer players in the USA. With several nationally recognized clubs in the region, Nomads Soccer Club has continued producing top quality soccer players since the 70s — now the organization offers a residential program for passionate youth soccer players. With the club fielding a full boy’s U.S. Soccer Development Academy again in 2017, the growth of Nomads continues as its academy players continue to take the step of their careers. 
Youth Soccer News: San Diego is known as America’s Finest City and for developing top youth soccer talent. A soccer city in every sense of the word, San Diego is home to several top U.S. Soccer Development Academies. While the competition among youth soccer clubs is contested around the country, San Diego’s Nomads Soccer Club is one of the few with a proven track record of developing star talent.
One of most highly recognized youth soccer clubs, the Nomads can claim many top U.S. Soccer stars, including Steve Cherundolo, as one of their own.
With affiliate clubs in Orange County and soon to be Temecula, Nomads has sights set on further expansion with announcements coming soon.
A bit of Nomads History
While few youth soccer players dribbling around the soccer fields of the USA know, Technical Director Derek Armstrong is truly one of the founding fathers of youth soccer in America. He will take over as Director of Coaching in the next year as David Armstrong will then serve as Technical Director.
Armstrong is one of the founding members and chairman of US Club Soccer — he retired from the position in 2009 but his contribution to youth soccer has been remarkable.
Nomads USSF Development Academy Program
Armstrong turned the Nomads into a top tier competitive youth club that has fielded a full U.S. Soccer Development Academy since the program’s inception. For the 2017/2018 season, the Nomads have Boys age groups U12, U13, U14, U15, U16/17 and U18/19 (2006-1999).
The Nomads look forward to their 11th season in the USSDA, following a finish last year in semifinals at the incredibly competitive U18 level.
“The Nomads are entering their 11th season this Fall in the USSDA playing in all age divisions U12-U19 — It is a serious commitment to the game.” said Armstrong.
“At the Nomads, we are proud to say that we are part of the USSDA, it is an honor to be part of such a wonderful movement,” said Mary Kaliff, Nomads Soccer Club General Manager.
“I call it ‘the new world’ — training 4 times a week and playing year round with a lot of travel for older age groups. In the old world, players training twice a week and played in Presidio, Coast Soccer League or SCSDL for 10 week in the Fall. Because the league is an extension of the U.S. Soccer Men’s Team, we are competing against top MLS clubs from round the country and are under constant scrutiny by US Soccer’s staff.”
US Soccer has invested millions of dollars to support its members — and the Federation recently sent out Belgium-based company, Double Pass, to evaluate all aspects of selected academy clubs on and off the field.
Nomads were one of two clubs in San Diego to go through this process. San Diego Surf was the second.
The club is also dedicated to providing top talent with the opportunity to dedicate their life to the game through its Nomads International Soccer School, which launched in 2013.
The residential program provides players from outside of the San Diego area the opportunity to live in their Nomads House, while earning a middle school or high school education through a partnership with a local accredited academic school. Local players also have the option to participate in the full-time training and academic program while living at home.
“Our residential housing program can accommodate up to 12 players,” said Kaliff. “Players train up to 8 sessions per week, including video analysis, technical classroom sessions and practical sessions. This gives our players a wonderful opportunity to go to the next level when they move on from the Nomads.”
The Nomads have given an opportunity to develop players on and off the field in order to produce well rounded individuals that can proudly wear the Nomads gear. In the residency, players also learn life skills to develop their growth off the field. They are responsible for keeping the Nomads house clean as well as learning to cook and take care of themselves.
The 2016 graduating class saw a total of 10 players receive their high school diploma while attending the Nomads full-time academy: Tomas Diaz, Robert Castellanos, Jorge Gonzalez, Amandla Newsome-Watson, Karl Lavoile, Raymond Soro, Danny Plasencia, Enrique Bustamante, Edson Alvarado, and Gerardo Lopez.
The Nomad’s academic program is free to players with classes available online and labs in the classroom, so they can focus on training. The club endeavors to provide every player who cannot afford to pay with an opportunity to participate and play through the scholarship programs they offer.
With the inclusion of top development methods, the Nomads utilize their training tactics in order to guide players to the next step of their journey.
Recent Club Standouts
Christian Enriquez currently plays collegiately at Cal Poly SLO and was named to the U.S. U19 Men’s National Team training camp in Valencia, Spain last summer. Three current players will join Enriquez at Cal Poly SLO this fall; Angel DeLeon, Luis “Alonso” Rodriguez, and Carlos Arce.
He assisted Nomads to US Youth Soccer National Championships in 2013 and 2014. During the 14/15 season, Enriquez finished with a total of 11 goals.
Robert Castellanos signed this past month for LA Galaxy II of the USL. The 18-year-old spent time in the USYNT system, most recently being called in for U20 training camp last summer.
Augustine Williams recently signed with Portland Timbers II of the USL. The 19-year-old played for Nomads SC U17/18 in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy during the 2015-16 season, where he played in 41 games, recording 20 goals and six assists.
Players interested in joining the Nomads should visit here for tryout information.
Article revisions made 3/13/17 — clarification of details.
