Local Soccer Coach and Two Student Athletes Recognized for their Excellence and Contributions to the Sport of Soccer

Excerpt

Sources: Las Cruces Public Schools (via Facebook)
Photo: Courtesy Las Cruces Public Schools
Portions By by United Soccer Coaches
Dec 10, 2024

Founded in 1941 and based in Kansas City, Mo., United Soccer Coaches has grown into the world’s largest soccer coaches’ organization that serves members at every level of the game. United Soccer Coaches works every day to inspire coaches and ignite their passion for the game so they pass it on to players and others in the soccer community.

Stated Mission

“The mission of United Soccer Coaches is to provide programs and services that enhance, contribute to, and advocate for the development and recognition of soccer coaches, players, and the game we love.”

One of the ways United Soccer Coaches advocate for the development and recognition of the sport of soccer is by promoting and administering multiple awards and rankings for coaches, players and programs from the collegiate level down to youth soccer.

This year, three from our broader community have drawn recognition from United Soccer Coaches.

United Soccer Coaches Coach of the Year

Centennial High School Boys Soccer Head Coach Daniel Loya was recently named the United Soccer Coaches Coach of the Year. This prestigious honor reflects Coach Loya’s exceptional leadership, dedication to his players, and commitment to fostering excellence on and off the field. His passion and vision have not only brought success to the Centennial soccer program, but have inspired the entire LCPS community.

2024 Fall High School Boys All-America Team

Joining Coach Loya in recognition is Centennial Hawk midfielder, Evan Kraenzel. Aside from being selected to the New Mexico Coaches Association 2023 All-State team (First Team), Kraenzel can now call himself a high school All-American. Kraenzel joins only four other high school players selected from any western or southwestern state (Oregon, Idaho and two from Colorado).

2024 Fall High School Girls All-America Team

Las Cruces High School forward, Mia Barela, was selected for the Girls All-American team. As one of only 63 girls recognized nationally, Barela can take pride in her accomplishments this season as an All-American. The Bulldawgs finished the season as New Mexico runner-up, and Barela joins only three other student athletes from the west (Idaho, Washington and Utah).

Players on this year’s United Soccer Coaches High School All-America Teams will be recognized for their accomplishments at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony on Saturday, Jan, 11, 2025 at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention.

Congratulations, Coach Loya, Mia Barela and Evan Kraenzel for this well-deserved honor!

Article posted by:

Levi Gwaltney

Levi Gwaltney is the Editor In Chief of Las Cruces Digest. The Editor makes editorial and posting decisions regarding content published on this site. In most cases, the Editor makes little if any contribution to content published, and takes no credit for the content of republished posts. If available, the source or author of posts is provided at the top of the article.