Erick Gonzalez takes a free kick to end the game against Imperial Valley with a massive 12-1 win. Photo by Natalie Mosqueda
After a 14-win season and a trip to the playoffs, soccer coach Cem Tont politely accepted congratulations from well-meaning friends, but he was already simmering for 2016.
He could see the stars lining up.
With 10 returning players from the playoff team and a more physical new playing style introduced by a new assistant coach, Tont and Co. are gunning for gold.
Tont hired Chula Vista youth soccer wizard Javier Castorena as his assistant.
Castorena is new to college soccer but not to winning strategies.
Castorena’s previous club, Chula Vista Futbol Club, has participated in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the oldest national soccer competition in the United States.
“Its not as different from what I’ve coached before,” Castorena said. “The only difference is how we build up the play. Tont likes his players to hit balls to the forwards, allowing the midfielders to drop in the middle and pressure the position, while I used to have my buildup play start from the midfielders and finding the through balls to the wingers.”
Tont, in his sixth year coaching the men’s soccer team, said he has high expectations.
“We are the top college program in San Diego, and one of the best programs in Southern California,” he said. “The expectation is to win.”
Tont, who played for the Turkish Youth National team, has dealt with pressure before.
“Coaching over the years has taught me not to panic,” he said. “Last year we started off brilliantly, but we faded at the end. This year we’ve had a slow start.”
Castorena spoke highly of Tont.
“I’m able to dig his brain about the different mentalities of how to coach and the different struggles that come with coaching at the college level,” he said. “He’s played at an elite level, so to be able to see how he handles this team is great.”
Tont and Castorena have been fusing their style of play into the team. Castorena has had a significant input on to how the team lines up, the formation, the substitutes and game management.
“Coach Tont is fairly open in terms of what formations we play, personnel changes and tactics,” Castorena said. “Our roles are pretty 50-50.”
Forward Javier Osuna, 20, said Castorena has a made a meaningful difference in the team.
“He’s helped us a lot,” Osuna said. “ He’s a more physical type of a guy and very involved. The drills he make us do are all very different and good.”
Tont said he has 10 strong returners from 2015
“This is the most returning players I’ve had in my years of coaching,” he said.
“We know that we are capable, it’s just that we need to get it out of each other,” he said. “We just need to keep practicing and work hard.”
Tont agreed.
“We have a great group of players with good chemistry, but with inconsistencies, and that’s what we are working to improve right now.”
