Adham Abdallah named the 2022-2023 Coach of the Year
Congratulations Coach Abdallah
On behalf of AYSO United Arizona, we would like to officially announce Dr. Adham Abdallah as our 2022-2023 Coach of the Year.
Coach Adham has been with AYSO United since we officially launched five years ago. Coach Adham works and lives in the Flagstaff area, where the competition for players in a small community can be tough. Coach Adham started his coaching career in his local AYSO region and joined AYSO United during our inaugural season with three teams. Unfortunately, right about the time the pandemic hit, he saw his numbers decline and struggled to have enough players to form a 2011 girls team.
When he could not find enough players to support his two older boys. Coach Adham signed them up to play for AYSO United teams, in the East Valley. He regularly made the 90-minute commute so his boys could train at least once a week, and then down almost every weekend for matches.
In Flagstaff, having a safe place to train is very difficult since there is a lot of snow on the ground in the winter months. There have been weekends when the team was snowed in and not able to make the trip down. Coach Adham would find places to train whenever he could to keep his girls ready to play.
Coach Adham is a chiropractor by profession, who spends a majority of his free time dedicated to coaching his players. His hard work and commitment has provided some fantastic results. From the beginning of the season to date, Coach Adham’s 2011 girls have 17 wins and only 1 loss in league and tournament play. They have scored 67 goals and only conceded 8.
These are outstanding numbers and truly an example of Coach Adham’s skill as a coach. However, we believe there is more to being a great coach than just winning games.
Here is a quote from a parent on Coach Adham’s team: “Stats are important and say a lot about a coach. Winning is nice. Championships feel great. But building a relationship with your players and finding meaningful ways to truly impact their life long after the season ends is what makes Adham Coach of the Year in my eyes. Coach of a Lifetime, really.”
In addition to dedicating his time, Coach Adham and his family, have donated a lot of their personal resources. He donates his services as a chiropractor to all his players, and many former players, who need treatment. He is known to pile players up in his vehicles to travel down the mountain for matches when parents could not afford to make the trip. Coach Adham and his wife Rachel, would often buy them lunch, a treat, or sometimes help cover the costs of a hotel so families could participate.
One year, Coach Adham found out that one of his families could not afford Christmas gifts. He contacted the parents and gave them money to buy gifts on the condition they did not know it came from him. For Coach Adham, being a coach is far more than just teaching kids about the game. It is providing them with an example of humility and grace that will have a far greater impact on them as they complete their soccer playing careers.
Coach Adham epitomizes everything we believe in at AYSO United Arizona and we are happy to select him as our Coach of the Year.
Gavrielle Rivera Named 2022-2023 Junior Female Player of the Year
During fall of 2022, Gavrielle played for her coed middle school soccer team which competes in the Cactus Christian Schools League (CCSL). She helped lead her school team to an undefeated season while simultaneously playing for her AYSO United team. When her club team our team went inactive for the high school season, Gavrielle continued her development by training with our AYSO United 09 boys’ team.
As an 8th grader, Gavrielle has earned a 4.13 GPA. Gavrielle is often recognized by her teachers for her academic achievements, leadership in the classroom, and willingness to share her ideas. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and regularly volunteers with this group. Recently, they collected gifts and delivered them to children living in the Town of Guadalupe. They visit and play games with senior citizens at the Pecos Senior Center.
She has also volunteered annually through Medtronic with Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) for the Angeles del Barrio Holiday Celebration. This year, Gavrielle volunteered handing out gifts to low income families. She has wrapped presents and engaged with fair participants through games involving soccer and jump rope to promote fitness.
She is an alter girl at her home church and volunteers in the coffee shop to help raise funds for Full Circle, an organization that helps youths with addictions. Gavrielle clearly prioritizes excellence as a student athlete who greatly serves her community.
Gavrielle is a very dedicated, respectful, and hard working player as well as a kind, giving, and responsible young lady.” Coach Nakita Buchanan
Andrew Corsaro Named 2022-2023 Junior Male Player of the Year
Andrew is a 7th grader where he maintains a 3.7 GPA while taking several honors classes including HS level Spanish. In addition to his time and efforts devoted to AYSO soccer, he is a member of his school’s soccer team and a cello player in the orchestra. Andrew has been recognized and nominated by his teachers as a school leader on campus and will be eligible to become a WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) leader for incoming students next year. In his free time, he enjoys drawing, editing videos, and building Legos.
Andrew was voted as team Captain for his AYSO team, which speaks to his leadership skills. He enjoys studying the game and how he and the team can and will be better, which earned him the nickname, “The Professor.”
“Andrew is just a great kid that is turning into a great player.” Coach Ricky Rawla.
Hannah Petrucci Named 2022-2023 Senior Female Player of the Year
Hannah is a senior and a member of the 2005 State League girls’ team under Coach Michael Blair. Hannah has had a very successful high school career and was the leading scorer helping her team win their state championship.
As a player for AYSO United, Hannah was identified as a member of the first group for the ID64 program, hosted by AYSO United in San Diego CA. While competing with some of the top players of our club, Hannah was selected to represent the national organization at the National TopTekkers competition in Orlando Florida this past December.
Academically, Hannah is a member of the National Honor Society and currently has a GPA of 3.9. In addition to being an outstanding student, Hannah has volunteered her time at the Flagstaff Family Food Center, serving food to the homeless. She helps cook, package, and hand out meals. She is also active in her church assisting with projects like the Foster Care Clothing Closet. She helps sort secondhand clothes, put them into backpacks with hygiene kits, pj’s, and a toy. These backpacks are then brought to the DCS office and given to kids who were recently taken from their families.
Not only is Hannah an excellent player, she is an outstanding role model for all of the players in our club.
Jacob Dirks Named 2022-2023 Senior Male Player of the Year
Jacob is a Senior and has been playing soccer for AYSO United for many years with Coach Juni Cruz. This year he was selected as co-captain for his club team by his teammates.
In addition to his role as a player, Jacob has become a highly regarded youth referee. He has been recommended for the Referee Development Program and was recently named the Arizona Soccer Association/Arizona State Referee Administration’s Young Male Referee of the year.
Jacob officiates matches from several different levels including ECNL, Open League, State League and USYS National League Matches all over the greater Phoenix area.
Off the field, Jacob is a member of a Robotics Team and will be travelling to out of state competitions shortly with his school Jagwires. In addition to his Robotic work, Jacob is a steadfast member of the National Honor’s Society and over the last year has been one of those responsible for organizing the quarterly blood drives hosted by his chapter. Jacob was recently accepted to the Polytechnic School at Arizona State University for the 2023-24 Academic Year.
“Having coached Jacob now for several years, his continued growth as player has been impressive. He is one of our hardest working players and always gives his all. Jacob is a great kid and teammate and a pleasure to coach.” Head Coach Juni Cruz.
