Boys Coaches
Randy Rocha
Randy Rocha is a Licensed athletic trainer in Maryland and surrounding areas (DC, MD, VA). He is the former Head Fitness Coach for MLS’s DC United, the US Soccer Men’s Olympic Team Beijing and London Qualifying (2008 & 2012), and the head athletic trainer and fitness Coach for the Women’s Professional Soccer teams of the Washington Freedom and the Washington Spirit.
In 2015, he worked as the Head Fitness Coach for Antigua & Barbuda through Olympic and World Cup qualifying with Polish National Team member and US Soccer Coach Peter Nowak. From 1995-2017, he was the Director of Sports Medicine at Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy, a “true” sports medicine clinic in Silver Spring, MD. Rocha prides himself in the successful recovery and rehab of ACL injuries.
Professional European soccer players have traveled to the United States to work with him. He recently launched his own company, the Optimum Performance Institute-Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, herein “OPI.” OPI is a hybrid sports medicine facility designed to revolutionize the athletic rehabilitation industry. Although they can perform acute, post-operative therapy, their specialty is “post-rehab,” the transition from physical therapy to “return to play.” OPI aims to return athletes to sport as safely and quickly as possible.
Notable athletes that Rocha has rehabbed and trained are Mia Hamm, Dominique Dawes (Olympic Gold Medalist, Gymnastics), Abbey Wambach, Andy Najar, Terrell Lewis (LA Ram, Super Bowl 2022), Jozy Altidore, Freddy Adu, and Gedion Zelalem.
Optimum Performance Institute-Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation – Founder, Owner
Pablo Amaya
P R O F E S S I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E
- D.C. United First Team MLS
- Performance Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Loudoun United: OFF Season, Return to Play Protocols
- Marymount University Men’s Soccer: Assistant Coach, Return to Play, Strength & Conditioning
- RAMP Optimal Performance & Wellness Owner, Director of Programming
- College Consultant: NC State, Marymount, George Mason University
- DC United Academy: Scouting, Recruitment, College Consultant
- MVP League Track & Field: S&C Director
- Oversees training for Nationally Ranked Division 1 collegiate prospect and current student-athletes competing at prestigious events such as the USATF Junior Olympics
P R O F E S S I O N A L B A C K G R O U N D
- Developed programming for U17 American El Salvadorian Call-Ups for the El Salvadorian National Team under Coach De Los Cobus.
- Spearheaded four years of Personal BIOMETRICS development for top leagues, including Bundesliga, Women’s Premier League, LIGA MX (Mexican League), MLS, USL, Brazilian & Argentine Division 1 Leagues
- Contributed to soccer-specific studies under Dr. George Carlo & the Secrets of Champions Foundation, MLS Diversity of Olympic Athletes
- Supervised and coordinated kinesiology internships from George Mason University, VCU, Marymount University, and UVA, fostering student professional development in the kinesiology and performance fields.
- Collaborated with strength and conditioning coaches from Atlante & Leones Negros on tailored programming for their clubs.
- Cultivated and maintained professional relationships with agents, facilitating coordination across North, Central/South America, and Europe.
- Engaged with current and former players from MLS, USL, USL2, and WPL, offering tailored support and training services.
L A N G U A G E S
- English
- Spanish
- Portuguese
Pete Wood
Coaching highlights: Pete led the 2001 Rangers to the USYS National Championships twice. 6 State Cup Championships, 2 Regional titles, and 1 National League title. He has won multiple high-level tournaments over the years. During his tenure, Pete has developed numerous Division 1 college players, some of whom went on to play professionally.
Coaching Licenses: UEFA B
Awards: 2006 MSYSA Coach of the Year
Erwin Diaz
Diaz spent over six years playing for Bethesda United, where he helped the team win two Maryland State Cup championships in 1995 and 1996. He later continued his career at the University of Maryland, playing a key role in securing an ACC Championship and contributing to the team’s 2005 NCAA Championship win. His talent earned him spots on both the U.S. U20 and U17 National Teams, where he competed in the U17 World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago.
After his college career, Diaz played semi-professionally in Spain for two years before returning to the DMV area to coach at the very clubs that helped shape him.
With over a decade of coaching experience, Diaz is committed to developing the next generation of players. His leadership recently guided his youth teams to back-to-back President’s Cup State Championships in 2023 and 2024 and a Regional Cup title. Diaz holds a USSF B Coaching License and is currently pursuing both his USSF A License and UEFA B License, underscoring his dedication to excellence in coaching and player development.
Kenny Ames
About Kenny: Coach Ames holds USSF Grassroots Licenses in coaching and refereeing. He earned a BA in English and Creative Writing at George Washington University, studied Principles of Coaching, and took courses at the Graduate School of Education and Human Development. He received his MA from the Johns Hopkins University in Government and Communication, graduating summa cum laude and winning the prestigious Rep. William Clinger Award.
Coach Ames’s coaching experience includes several years in MSI, where he was selected as Coach of the Year with an honorable mention. He has worked with children as young as six, developing them into travel players by emphasizing ball control, passing, teamwork, and endurance. His teams have routinely performed well in league and tournament play. In addition to coaching, Kenny is an accomplished referee. He has refereed the Regional Cup and ODP Cup. He has refereed at the State Cup in Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia and the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions. Kenny continues to referee for EDP, various college showcase tournaments, and adult soccer in UPSL, EPSL, and other leagues.
Joan Molist
Professional Experience
• 2024 – Currently. Project Director of Ekkono Futbol USA
• Feb. 2023. Professor of the Ekkono Identity Course, Finland
• July. 2023. Barça Academy USA Camps Head Coach
• 2022 – 2023. Pohjanmaan Jalkapalloakatemia Ekkono Camps Head Coach
• 2020 – 2022. Director of the Methodology Department at Ekkono Osaka Academy • 2019 – 2023. Technical Director of F.C. Osona Sud (Catalan FA Club)
• 2019 & 2023. Ekkono coach at Eerikkilä SHA-Ekkono Winter Camp
• 2013 – 2019. Coach in a Catalan FA Clubs (U.E. Centelles, Fundació U.E. Tona)
Education
- University Degree in Sports Science at Universitat de Vic
- ERASMUS at Edge Hill University, Liverpool, UK
- Nacional C (Catalan FA.)
Languages
- Catalan – Native
- Spanish – Native
- English – B2
- Japanese – A1
Dan Murphy
Coach Dan Murphy has 15 years of experience as a youth soccer coach focused on player development. He began his coaching career in 2009 at Cristo Rey Jesuit School in Baltimore, MD serving as a Volunteer Assistant Coach.
He later went on to serve as Assistant Coach for the Baltimore Bays US Soccer Development Team at the u13-14 level, to Baltimore Armour USSDA U18/19, and Pipeline.
Dan later served as an Assistant Coach for Baltimore Celtic 2003 Premier for three seasons, helping the team reach three straight National Championship appearances and three straight National League Titles. The team obtained multiple #1 National rankings.
Most recently, he has served as Head Coach of Washington Capital United’s 2005 and 2006 Boys Teams, respectively, where he has coached for the past 3 seasons.
Nick Njuki
Grew up in Montgomery County (Quince Orchard High School). Nick traveled to many countries as a youth and experienced various footballing cultures. His experience playing youth sports and, ultimately, college soccer has led to his desire to help others achieve their goals in football.
- Bethesda Soccer Club Alum
- RFC U18
- James Madison University 2010-2013
- NCAA Sweet Sixteen
- CAA Champions
- Trials in Spain
- UD San Pedro
Abou Ceesay
Coach Ceesay has a diverse background and experience as a player and coach. As a native of The Gambia, he was among the youngest to play in The Gambian league and on the Under 17 National Team. During that time, he traveled to compete in other African countries such as Senegal, Mail, Guinea Conakry, etc. At 18, Ceesay migrated to the United States to join his parents. He has been a member and player (as an offensive midfielder) of the D.C. Gambians Soccer team for over 20 years. He received various awards during his tenure, including being the leading goal scorer and best player in the tournament. For the past few years, Ceesay has coached the Young D.C. Gambians team in multiple tournaments nationwide, leading to championship wins in Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. With his experience, Ceesay will help further develop the Bethesda Soccer Club teams and lead them to championship success in their regional competitions.
Zach Weidman
Weidman joins Bethesda after previously spending two seasons as a graduate assistant at the University of the Cumberlands. During the spring 2021 season, Weidman led the Patriots to their first Mid-South conference title and an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals. UC finished the spring with a No. 6 ranking in the final national poll, the highest ranking in program history.
Primarily responsible for the goalkeepers, he directed the unit to one of their most successful seasons between the posts. In the spring 2021 campaign, the keepers recorded nine shutouts (seventh-most in NAIA) and 14 wins, the most since 2010 for the program. At UC, he coached an NAIA All-American and 15 All-Conference performers.
A native of Concord, Mich., Weidman played at Spring Arbor University. He played four seasons with the Cougars and boasted a .833 record as a goalkeeper. While at Spring Arbor, Weidman served as the men’s soccer representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and was the team’s NAIA Champion of Character.
Weidman holds his USSF D License and a CoachTech Analytical Analysis Diploma.