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SANDY — Real Monarchs SLC has a name, a stadium and a league for the 2015 season.
And now, it officially has a coach, too.
RSL-Arizona Academy coach Freddy Juarez has been named the head coach of the Monarchs, RSL technical director Craig Waibel announced Tuesday.
The 36-year-old Juarez helped coach RSL young players Justen Glad, Sebastian "Bofo" Saucedo and Jordan Allen during his four years coaching in the Casa Grande, Arizona-based facility. He also managed a staff that worked with teams that included Clemson standout Phanuel Kavita and Virginia’s Riggs Lennon, who helped the Cavaliers to the 2014 NCAA College Cup title.
Juarez’s tenure included winning a U-16 USSDA national championship in 2012-13.
David Lara will join Juarez’s staff as an assistant coach.
“We are excited to have Freddy and David join our coaching staff,” Monarchs President Rob Zarkos said in a statement. “Freddy has been integral in developing current RSL players and we look forward to continued excellence in his role as head coach of the Monarchs.”
Juarez played in the USL-A League and USL-1 from 1998-2007 with the El Paso Patriots and Minnesota Thunder. The Minnesota side reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup in 2004, and defeated four MLS teams over the course of the 2004 and 2005 Open Cup runs.
“Freddy has done a great job developing young players in Arizona and we are confident that he will continue to do that in our organization at the USL level,” Waibel said in a statement. “We look forward to working closely with him as we launch the Monarchs.”
Here's a sample of what social media was saying about the hire.
.@RealMonarchs have announced #RSL-AZ's Freddy Juarez will become the team's first head coach. http://t.co/NlkA0B4hdcpic.twitter.com/EAJfQOqEuH — Grande Sports Acad. (@GrandeSportsA) December 23, 2014
I love the Juarez hire. Has been great at the academy developing some of the best talent in the US youth Ranks. Can't beat that. #RSL#RMSLC — Jake Simons (@SLTID_Jake) December 23, 2014
> That's a great hire by RSL. > > — Travis Clark (@travismclark) [December 23, 2014](https://twitter.com/travismclark/status/547470704145608704)
