Local coach guides U.S. team to title

Ed Ornelas, a resident of Laguna Beach and regional coach and board member for AYSO Region 86 (Laguna Beach), coached a team of players from around the U.S. to a first-place finish in the 14-15 division at the recent Youth Friendship Games in Holland.

The team, called the Swans, played 12 games over a five-day period at various venues in Holland.

Ornelas said he had just three days to assess the talent of his team, whose members had never met or played together before the tournament.

“It was a challenge from the beginning,” said Ornelas, who was invited by People To People, a youth friendship organization, to coach in the tournament.

“With some resistance, the girls accepted my plan to attempt to play the girls in the positions that most suited the team. There was not much I could teach in just six hours of practice over three days. Thus, my focus was on getting the players comfortable working together as a team.”

Ornelas said that his squad went up against some “strong” international club teams. The team finished the tournament with a record of 8-2-2.

The Swans defeated another team from the U.S., 3-2, in the division final.

Each member of the team received individual first-place medals and Ornelas was presented with a team trophy.

“The performance was beyond my wildest expectations,” he said.

Ornelas likened the scene at the tournament to that of the Olympic Games.

Opening ceremonies included participating teams marching into the stadium and a Friendship Village, where the athletes were able to meet sports ambassadors and other participants from the other numerous sports that were played at the games.

All of the teams that competed in the tournament worked with coaches and members of Dutch soccer teams prior to the event.

“What an experience it was to be able to work with and learn from the Dutch coaches and professional players,” Ornelas said. “It was very difficult for all the players to let go and say ‘good-bye’ on the final day.

“Friendships were made and memorable experiences shared. This was a great experience for me.”