February 6, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Phoenix Rising FC News Release
Phoenix Rising has named Diego Gómez as an assistant coach, the club announced today.
“We certainly went through a thorough process to make sure Diego was culturally a good fit for the organization,” said Rising Head Coach Danny Stone. “We felt his values matched ours. His skillset was exactly what we needed in an assistant coach. I know very well what that role requires. Diego is a well-educated coach. He is a good organizer and detailed thinker in the way he works. He will bring youth, personality, and energy to the group. He’ll be great connector between players and the rest of the coaching staff.”
Licensed to coach at the highest level in Spain, Gomez is a former goalkeeper that spent his formative years in the academy systems of Real Madrid (1998-02) and FC Barcelona (2002-10). Gómez played professionally in Spain and Hong Kong from 2010 to 2013 before transitioning to a coaching career with AC Milan, Hong Kong in 2013.
“I’m excited to join a prestigious club like Phoenix Rising,” said Gomez. “I’m looking forward to working with Danny and the rest of the staff and players. I can’t wait to get to work and fight to bring trophies back to Phoenix.”
From 2013 to 2017, Gomez advanced from a position as a youth coach in Spain and China to become a director in David Villa’s DV7 Academy in Korea and Chula Vista, California. He served as an academy coach, then sporting director and head coach for Queensboro FC II (2021-22) before becoming the head coach of NISA teams Albion SC and Irvine Zeta (2023-24).
Phoenix Rising FC Technical Staff
Gomez joins Darnell King as one of two assistant coaches under Stone. King captained Phoenix to a USL Championship title last season before joining the coaching staff.Cory Robertson, who is entering his ninth season with the club, will continue to serve as goalkeeper coach.
Jeronimo Aimar (Strength & Conditioning Coach) and Chris Standring (Video Analyst) will be returning for their second seasons. Greg Spence (Head Athletic Trainer) and Destiny Lalaguna (Assistant Athletic Trainer) and Thomas Markey (Team Administrator) are also entering their second seasons with Rising. In his first year, Jake Minder will serve as the equipment manager.
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