  It's that spooky time of year, and we're ready to celebrate with some team spirit! We are thrilled to announce our very first FC Balboa Pumpkin Carving Contest! This is your chance to show off your artistic skills and your love for the club for a chance to win some awesome, exclusive FC Balboa merch!
We can't wait to see your amazing carvings. Let's light up the neighborhood with some FC Balboa pride! How to Enter Entering is simple! Just follow these steps: 1. Choose Your Style You have two ways to show us your skills:
2. Carve & Capture Once your masterpiece is complete, take a fantastic photo. Make sure to get good lighting so we can see all the details! 3. Share & Tag This is the most important part! To officially enter, you MUST post your pumpkin photo on Instagram.
🏆 Prizes Exclusive FC Balboa merchandise awaits the most creative carvers! ⏰ Deadline All entries must be posted on Instagram by October 31st at midnight EST! Good luck, everyone!
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We recently had the chance to sit down with renowned Croatian coach Ziggy Zigante to discuss the incredible evolution of the goalkeeper position. As Ziggy explained, the days of a keeper just being a great shot-stopper are long gone. The modern game demands much more.
So, why the change? Ziggy points to a few key factors:
Ziggy emphasized that developing these skills requires a shift in training:
While foot skills are vital, Ziggy stressed that the core attributes remain critical:
Ziggy's final advice was clear: Work hard, stay focused, respect the position, be confident, and always enjoy playing the game. He also encouraged young keepers to watch various professional keepers, especially those with similar physical attributes, and learn from them, but ultimately develop their own style. At FC Balboa, we are committed to developing complete, modern goalkeepers who embody these principles – players who can command their box, make crucial saves, and confidently contribute to our team's possession and attack.  What a night for soccer in San Diego!
Last night, our city’s professional football team, San Diego FC, made history by winning their first-ever MLS playoff game, a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers at a sold-out Snapdragon Stadium. In their incredible inaugural season, SDFC has not only broken records but has captured the imagination of our entire community. For every player, coach, and parent at FC Balboa, this is more than just a local sports story. It's a source of massive inspiration. When our players turn on the TV or, even better, go to a game at Snapdragon, they are no longer just watching distant superstars. They are watching their city’s team. They are seeing players in a San Diego jersey competing and winning on the biggest stage.| That connection is powerful. It makes the dream feel real. From the Practice Field to the Big Stage Every single SDFC player started exactly where our FC Balboa players are right now: on a local field, learning the game, working on their first touch, and dreaming of one day playing under the lights. SDFC’s success shows our young athletes what is possible with dedication, teamwork, and a relentless commitment to improvement. It proves that the pathway is there. It reinforces every lesson we teach at practice: the hard work matters, tactical discipline wins games, and playing for your teammates creates a result bigger than any one person. A City United by the Beautiful Game We are building something special here at FC Balboa, centered on player development, character, and a love for the sport. SDFC’s historic season as the #1 seed in the West elevates all of football in San Diego. It raises the standard and focuses the spotlight on our city as a true football hotbed. We want to send a huge congratulations to San Diego FC on their historic first playoff win. The entire FC Balboa family is cheering you on as you continue your run for the MLS Cup. You’ve shown our players what’s possible. Now, it’s our turn to get back to the practice field and continue developing the next generation of San Diego football stars. Let's go, San Diego!  All season long, our players wear the FC Balboa crest over their hearts. It’s a symbol of their commitment to their team, their club, and the game they love. But this October, you’ll notice another color on the pitch: pink.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor the incredible strength of those who have fought, and are fighting, this disease. For us at FC Balboa, this cause is deeply personal. It hits home for our entire community, and especially for one of our own, Staff Coach, John Anderson, who lost his mother to breast cancer in 2016. We play for her, and for all the mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, and friends who are the true backbone of our club. They are the ones driving to practices, cheering from the sidelines in all weather, and offering encouragement after a tough game. Their strength inspires us, and this month, we play for them. Throughout October, our teams will take the field wearing pink socks, armbands, and pre-wrap. It’s a small gesture, but it’s a visible, public reminder that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Each pink accessory represents a unified front, showing every family in our club affected by this disease that they are not alone. The fight against cancer requires resilience, courage, and an unbreakable team spirit. These are the very same values we strive to instill in our players every time they step on the field—to support a teammate who is struggling, to work together for a common goal, and to never give up. This month, those lessons take on a profound new meaning. We are reminded that the ultimate victory isn't measured in goals, but in our ability to lift up those around us who need it most. We invite the entire FC Balboa family to join this effort. When you come to the games this month, wear a touch of pink. Cheer a little louder for the players showing their support. Let’s transform our sidelines into a unified, powerful symbol of solidarity and hope. Together, we are more than just a club; we are a community. This October, we are proud to play for more.  There’s nothing quite like the buzz of a Saturday morning at the football fields. The smell of the grass, the sound of the ball, and the sight of our kids in their FC Balboa kits, ready to play the game they love. As parents, we are their biggest fans, and our passion for their success is immense. That passion is a huge part of what makes this club a community.
But what happens when that passion spills onto the field in the form of instructions, critiques, or frustrated yells? While it almost always comes from a place of love and a desire to help, it can have the opposite effect on our players. At FC Balboa, our mission is to develop skilled, confident, and creative football players who love the game. A positive sideline environment is absolutely critical to achieving that goal. Here’s why, and how we can all work together to create it. The Player's Perspective: Hearing Too Many Coaches Imagine you're 10 years old, trying to control a pass with a defender closing in. Your coach, who you've been working with all week, has been teaching you to turn with the ball into space. But from the sideline, you hear a parent's voice yelling, "Just kick it!" In that split second, you're faced with a choice: Do you listen to your coach, or do you listen to the parent? This creates confusion and hesitation. Instead of playing freely, the child is now worried about making the "wrong" decision and disappointing someone. This leads to: Fear of Mistakes: Players become afraid to try new skills (like dribbling past a defender) for fear of losing the ball and hearing about it from the sideline. Mistakes are essential for learning, and a fearful player is not a developing player. Reduced Creativity: The game becomes about "not messing up" rather than expressing themselves and solving problems on the field. Lost Fun: Constant instruction turns a fun game into a high-pressure performance. When the joy is gone, the motivation to play and improve quickly follows. Our Game Plan: Let the Players Play, Let the Coaches Coach As a club, we ask you to partner with us in empowering our players. Your role on the sideline is incredibly important, but it is not as a second coach. It is as their #1 supporter. A great example of promoting a positive environment locally is AYSO North Park's "Silent Saturday." On these designated Saturdays, parents and spectators are encouraged to remain silent during the game, allowing the players to communicate and solve problems on their own, and letting the coaches' voices be the primary source of instruction. It's a fantastic initiative that highlights the power of letting the kids play without constant external input. So, what’s the best way to cheer? Be a Fan, Not a Critic: Cheer for effort, hustle, and good sportsmanship for every player on the team. A "Great try!" or "Awesome hustle, Leo!" means the world. Praise the process, not just the outcome. Offer Positive Reinforcement Only: After a goal is scored against us, the players already feel down. They need encouragement like "Shake it off, Balboa, you got this!" not a breakdown of what went wrong. Trust the Process (and the Coaches): You have entrusted your child's football development to our coaching staff. Please trust them to manage the game and instruct the players from the technical area. Master the Car Ride Home: The car ride is for support, not analysis. Avoid critiquing their performance. A great approach is to simply say the six most powerful words in youth sports: "I love to watch you play." Our goal is to create an environment where our kids can develop a lifelong love for football. By working together and ensuring our sidelines are a source of positive energy, we give our players the freedom to play, learn, and grow. Let's make every FC Balboa sideline the most encouraging and supportive one in San Diego.  SAN DIEGO, CA, October 16, 2025 – FC Balboa, a non-profit youth soccer club, is thrilled to announce a series of exclusive camps for players and coaches led by legendary coach Ziggy Zigante. Taking place this November, the camps will provide a unique opportunity for the San Diego soccer community to learn from a coach with over 40 years of experience at the highest levels of the sport.
Coach Ziggy Zigante’s distinguished career is marked by its incredible breadth, having developed talent from the youth level all the way to the international stage. His experience includes serving as a Goalkeeper Coach for the U.S. Men's National & Olympic Teams in preparation for the 1994 World Cup, where he worked with legendary Dutch GK coach Franz Hoek. Ziggy was also an Assistant Coach for the San Jose Clash during the inaugural season of Major League Soccer (MLS) and has held coaching positions at the collegiate level with Cornell University and the University of San Diego. His specialized expertise is further highlighted by his 25-year association with Tony DiCicco as a Director of Goalkeepers. FC Balboa will host three distinct camps to serve the entire soccer community: Veterans Day Player Camp (Nov. 10-11): An all-positions camp for youth players looking to sharpen their core skills and tactical understanding. Goalkeeper Player Camp (Nov. 14-16): A specialized, three-day intensive camp for goalkeepers to master fundamental techniques and advanced in-game situations. Goalkeeper Coaching Clinic (Nov. 14-16): An essential clinic for coaches of all levels, combining classroom theory with on-field sessions to provide the tools needed to develop elite goalkeepers. "We are incredibly excited to bring a coach of Ziggy's caliber to our club," said a representative from FC Balboa. "This is a rare chance for our players to learn what it takes to compete at the highest level and for our coaches to gain invaluable insights from a true legend of the game. These camps align perfectly with our mission to provide the best possible development opportunities for the San Diego soccer community." Registration for all three camps is now open, but spots are limited. To register: https://www.fcbalboa.org/programs.html About FC Balboa: FC Balboa is a non-profit youth soccer club based in San Diego, CA, dedicated to developing young athletes in a positive and competitive environment. With a motto of "Good Vibes, Great Goals," the club is committed to fostering a love for the game while building character and skill.   The energy was electric. On a perfect San Diego evening, the FC Balboa community came together in full force to celebrate the start of the season and a landmark new partnership. Over 150 players, parents, coaches, and supporters packed into Fairplay in North Park for the first-ever FC Balboa Community Kickoff, and the result was an overwhelming success that perfectly captured the spirit of our club. The atmosphere felt like a professional match day, filled with the buzz of anticipation for the season ahead. The event also marked the official launch of our new partnership with Fairplay, and we are incredibly grateful to their team for providing the perfect venue and officially becoming our new community hub. From our youngest players to our oldest teams, the sense of a unified, passionate community was undeniable. This event was about more than just football; it was a celebration of the families and friendships that form the true foundation of FC Balboa. "Looking around, this is exactly what FC Balboa is all about," said Club Director Chhem Young-Pen. "It’s not just about what happens on the soccer field; it's about building this—a strong, passionate, and supportive community. This is what we strive for." The highlight of the evening came when Chhem delivered a powerful and motivational speech, thanking the supporters and volunteers who make the club thrive. The speech culminated in the official unveiling of our new FC Balboa community banner, a symbol of our shared pride and identity. The excitement continued with a massive opportunity drawing featuring incredible prizes. The grand prize—a package of five tickets to see the SDFC team in the playoffs—created a huge buzz, and the big winner was one of our very own: Mattias Sanchez from the Boys 2012 Blue team! Congratulations, Mattias! As the night came to a close, the message was clear. "The energy here tonight is the same energy we want to bring to every game and every practice," Chhem concluded. "This is the start of something special for our club, and we're so glad you are all a part of it." Thank you to everyone who came out and made our first Community Kickoff an unforgettable success. Here's to a fantastic season ahead! A Special Thank You to Our Community Partners A huge part of tonight’s success was our incredible prize drawing, which was only possible because of the generous support of our local community. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to all the businesses and individuals who donated prizes. Thank you for investing in our players and our club! Mr. Moto Pizza, Ponce's Mexican Restaurant, Encanto Restaurant North Park, Funktion Acupuncture, Coach B | SD Performance & Recovery Center, Coach Eddie, The San Diego Haunted Trail, Soccer Kids America, Kicks and Giggles, San Diego FC   On a buzzing Friday night, the future of San Diego soccer met its present. Over 125 players, parents, and coaches from our 2011, 2012, and 2013 girls' teams flooded into Snapdragon Stadium to watch the San Diego Wave FC take on Gotham FC. But this wasn't just about watching a game—it was about being part of the action. This special team-building event gave our players an unforgettable, up-close professional soccer experience. Through the Warm Up Watchers and High Five Tunnel events, our girls got to be on the pitch, feeling the energy and seeing their heroes just feet away as they prepared for kickoff. A Night of Inspiration The atmosphere was electric. For our developing athletes, seeing the focus, speed, and skill of professional players in person is a powerful experience. When asked what the coolest part was, one player noted it was "seeing the players and their focus." That professional mindset is exactly what we hope our players absorb. It's one thing to hear a coach talk about dedication; it's another to see it on the faces of the pros. As one of our coaches explained, “The importance of youth players being able to envision their future in the sport is crucial. As women's sports continue to grow, it's vital for young athletes to see what is possible professionally.” Our players came prepared, sporting signs for their favorite players for all sorts of reasons—from sharing Irish heritage with Kyra Carusa to playing the same position.. They all shared and took turns supporting every player on the pitch. Their energy was so infectious that they even got a shout-out on the Jumbotron! Building Bonds Beyond the Field While the on-field action was thrilling, the moments in between were just as important. Coordinating 40 excited players was no small task, but the girls handled it with maturity and enthusiasm. We even received feedback from the Wave staff about how respectful and fun our players were—a true testament to the character within our club. Events like these are about more than just soccer. As one coach put it, "When we show up as a collective, it significantly helps with team bonding. The interaction among different age groups fosters friendships that extend beyond the immediate team." By stepping outside of our usual routine, we build team cohesion and broaden our perspective. Witnessing the preparation and dedication involved in a high-level game helps our players grow, whether they realize it or not. Experiences like this are a powerful reminder of what it means to be part of a team and a community. We want to commend the pride with which our players wore their jerseys and the collective spirit they embodied. They represented FC Balboa with class and passion, showing everyone what it means to be part of our unified group. About FC Balboa FC Balboa is committed to fostering a competitive, supportive, and empowering environment for young female athletes in San Diego. Our girls' program is built on the belief that soccer is a powerful vehicle for developing strong character, lifelong confidence, and lasting friendships. We focus on holistic player development, providing elite technical and tactical training while cultivating a culture where girls are encouraged to lead, compete, and grow as individuals. By providing strong role models and creating opportunities like attending professional women's games, we aim to not only shape great soccer players, but to inspire the next generation of confident and successful young women.(www.fcbalboa.org)   Prioritizing Player Safety: The Critical Importance of Heart Screenings for FC Balboa Athletes9/19/2025  At FC Balboa, our commitment to our players extends far beyond the football pitch. While we strive to develop exceptional athletes and foster a lifelong love for the beautiful game, nothing is more important than the health and safety of every child who wears our crest. That's why we want to bring a vital topic to the forefront: the importance of heart screenings for young athletes.
The statistics are sobering: sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is tragically the leading cause of death among student athletes. This isn't just a national issue; it's a concern for every youth sports organization and every family with an active child. Why Screenings Matter: What the Experts SayMajor medical organizations like the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology are in strong agreement: Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are a reasonable and often recommended inclusion in sports physicals. These non-invasive tests can help identify underlying heart conditions that might otherwise go undetected until it's too late. You can learn more about the recommendations directly from the American Heart Association here: Screening Young Athletes for Heart Disease Experts suggest that these crucial screenings should ideally begin for athletes around age 12. This proactive approach allows for early detection and, if necessary, proper management of any potential cardiac issues, enabling athletes to safely continue their participation in sports. Our Call to Action for FC Balboa Families. We urge all FC Balboa families to take this information seriously and consider proactive heart screenings for your young athletes. It's a simple step that can provide invaluable peace of mind and, most importantly, protect the health of our children. Don't wait! Take advantage of free screening opportunities in our community. A fantastic resource providing free ECG screenings is available soon: Get a FREE ECG at an upcoming event on October 5th! Visit epsavealife.org/get-screened to find out more details and secure a screening appointment.  SAN DIEGO, CA – September 16, 2025 – FC Balboa, San Diego's non-profit youth football club, today announced an exclusive series of winter football events, including a Winter Player Camp and a special Coaching Clinic, both to be led by the current Croatian U17 National Team Coach, Coach Cuk. These elite events offer a rare opportunity for both young players and local coaches in Southern California to gain direct insight from one of Europe’s top youth development experts. The events will take place on December 19th and 23rd in San Diego. The Player Camp provides a unique window into the famed Croatian player development system, which has consistently produced world-class talent. The Coaching Clinic offers a unique professional development opportunity for San Diego-area coaches to learn these principles directly from the source. Topics will include modern training methodologies, tactical application, and identifying key player attributes. "We are incredibly honored to bring a coach of this caliber to our community," said Chhem Young-Pen, President and Club Director of FC Balboa. "This is a dual opportunity: our players can immerse themselves in a professional European training environment, and our dedicated local coaches can learn and grow as well. Coach Cuk’s experience is unparalleled, and by offering both a camp and a clinic, we hope to elevate the level of football education throughout our entire community." Event Details: 1. Winter Player Camp with Coach Cuk For: Dedicated youth football players When: Monday, Dec 22nd & Tuesday, Dec 23rd, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Cost: $150 per player; $99 for current FC Balboa players. Open to players in the U12-U17 age groups (Birth Years 2014-2009) To resister: fcbalboa.byga.net/programs/948mhx3m9e/signup 2. Winter Coaching Clinic with Coach Cuk For: Youth and club football coaches When: Friday, Dec 19th, 2025 (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM) Saturday, Dec 20th, 2025 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) Sunday, Dec 21st, 2025 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) Cost: $199 per coach To Register: https://fcbalboa.byga.net/f/rxbcjtcuxx Location and Registration (For Both Events): Where: San Diego, CA (Field location to be announced upon registration) Registration: To register and for more information, please use the QR codes below. About FC Balboa: FC Balboa is a non-profit youth football club dedicated to providing a positive and developmental football experience for players in the greater San Diego area. The club focuses on fostering a lifelong love for the game by emphasizing technical skill, sportsmanship, and teamwork in a fun and supportive environment.  |
AuthorBy The FC Balboa Coaching Staff Archives
October 2025
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