Bears Add Men’s Soccer Alumnus Alec Sundly to Coaching Staff

WSOC2/3/2023 8:33 AM | By: Cal Athletics

Sundly Returns to Cal Ahead of the 2023 Season

BERKELEY – Cal men’s soccer alumnus Alec Sundly will make his return to his alma mater as an assistant coach for the Bears’ women’s soccer team as announced by head coach Neil McGuire on Friday.

“We couldn’t be happier to see Alec return to Cal to coach with us,” McGuire said.  “Knowing him from his time as a player here, as well as his time as a coach with the men’s program, we are getting a very special person and coach to help our student-athletes.   He brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience which will have a great impact on the soccer aspect of our program, but he is also a wonderful person who I know the players will enjoy.”

As a Bear, Sundly appeared in 73 matches earning 55 starts and was named team captain his senior year in 2013. That same season he earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 second team and helped Cal maintain its status as the top team in the country for six-straight weeks. He was also voted the team’s offensive player of the year and earned the coaches award.

He helped lead Cal to two NCAA Elite 8 appearances in his four-year career and helped clinch the Pac-10 title his freshman season scoring the game-winner against rival Stanford.

“As a former student athlete, I saw first hand how dedicated and passionate the women’s soccer program is to the game. I’m truly honored for the opportunity to now be a part of this team as an assistant coach, and for the chance to work alongside Neil and Cori. Cal is such a special place filled with tradition and excellence, and I cannot wait to represent the blue and gold again!” 

Sundly was the 32^nd overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft back in 2014 being selected to the New England Revolution. He enjoyed a seven-year professional career that saw stints in both the MLS and USL, and a few years spent overseas. During his rookie season the Revolution won an Eastern Conference Championship and was a MLS Cup finalist.

His USL teams included the Rochester Rhinos and the Real Monarchs where he served as the team captain. He followed his career in the states by playing for Hörvikens IF and Nosaby IF in Sweden, and FCA Darmstadt 04 in Germany. Sundly helped Hörvikens IF earn a promotion to the 4^th division in 2017.

The former midfielder returns to Berkeley after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the UC Davis men’s soccer team where he…