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Pacific Adds La Masia Goalkeeper Coach To Staff Roster
By With Pacific FC having seen its previous goalkeeper coach jump to the lower mainland in tandem with their starting goalkeeper, the Tridents were in need of a new coach to help their players between the sticks.
Today, the club has confirmed the acquisition of quite a high-profile replacement: Daniel Ortiz, who spent the last six years coaching at La Masia with FC Barcelona.
“Daniel’s pedigree coming from FC Barcelona, working directly in La Masia is an incredible opportunity for not only our goalkeepers but our entire organization,” stated PFC head coach James Merriman. “We are still growing and developing as club, and he will bring his expertise and drive the overall standards for both our first team and youth programming.
Ortiz’s time with FC Barcelona saw him named as the goalkeeper coach at the U-8 to U-12 levels, and later on the U-13 and U-14 levels. Prior to his time at La Masia, he was also the goalkeeper coach for UE Castelldefels in Spain’s lower divisions.
Ortiz holds his UEFA A coaching license along with a UEFA GK B, with the club stating that it’s still working hard to find who will compete with Emil Gazdov for minutes between the sticks.
The Tridents also confirmed that Armando Sa will return as an assistant coach. The former Mozambique international had played for likes of Benfica, Braca, Rio Ave, Villareal, Espanyol, and Leeds United, and holds a UEFA A license.
“Armando has the experience of playing at the highest levels, and for football clubs all around the world,” added Merriman. “That is so important for our players and their aspirations. We are constantly trying to drive the standards of our organization to the highest level we can, and Armando knows the expectations set in top professional football environments.”
Merriman, Sa, and Ortiz will be hoping to see Pacific collect its second North Star Shield this season, with the club’s fifth-ever CPL campaign set to kick off against Vancouver FC – and their former starting goalkeeper and goalkeeper coach – on April 15.