MATT ABRAHAM
Coaching Director
Boys 05 / Boys 2007 / Girls 2011
Coach Matt comes from Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, England and has been coaching soccer for over 15 years, has worked with several Club teams, Academies, and High Schools in both England and the US.
After working with the Claremont AYSO program, Matt started coaching Club Soccer with the Claremont Stars, he has been Director of Coaching for the past 3 years. Matt has developed a program at the Stars where the focus is on development, education and the love of the game.
Matts goal is that all Claremont Stars players and families have the opportunity to have a great soccer experience and that through the game of soccer you can build great people, who will positively impact and lead their communities
Matt has worked in a number of different schools, special education programs and has a degree in Sport Science as well as USSF and FA soccer qualifications. His extensive educational background creates a unique perspective on his coaching philosophy and style.
BRIAN WIESNER
HEAD COACH/CLUB PRESIDENT
Girls 2004
Brian.Wiesner@financeofamerica.com
Brian is starting his 41st year coaching soccer. He has been a USSF A license since 1986. Brian’s first team in the club was a BU10 in 1985. He has coached the Olympic Development Program, CIF champion boy’s teams, run soccer camps and was a USSF licensed referee.
Brian believes there is a great heritage of soccer excellence in Claremont and that our job as coaches is to teach kids how to be coached and how to compete the right way. Sometimes we also need to show parents and the community what it means to maintain a healthy balance between winning and competing to the best of your abilities. No matter what, if we go about it the right way, a team can share in some very important, lifelong, positive experiences. I believe in that to my core.
MANFRED PRESCHERN
Head Coach
Girls 2010
Coach Manfred grew up in a small village in Austria, where his dad, a professional soccer player, was a local celebrity. Eager to follow in his father's footsteps, Manfred started his soccer career at a very young age, training hard as he developed his skills and his passion for the game.
By the age of 19, he was playing semi-pro in the 3rd league in Austria with great prospects to continue advancing as a professional player. Manfred's playing career unfortunately ended early due to a major injury at the young age of 21. His strong desire to stay involved in the game led him to the beginning of his coaching career 7 years ago, coaching youth girls, boys, teenage boys, and women and men's adult teams in his hometown in Austria. A world backpacking journey led him to finding love and starting a life in California with his American wife. He currently coaches the Claremont Stars Girls 2010 team, while also continuing to advance his soccer coach skills (currently working towards the UEFA-B License).
ILYAS TASCI
Head Coach
Boys 2012 / Girls 2005
Coach Tasci has been coaching high level youth soccer for over 10 years. He spent over 5 years with professional club New York Red Bulls as a trainer and on staff with the Youth Academy as an Analyst and Player Scout.
His experience and network has been built nationwide and consists of elite youth clubs, college coaches, and pro scouts. Currently he is on staff with the Men's and Women's Soccer teams at Life Pacific University and is running his own training company
He currently holds the US Soccer Federation B License and the United Soccer Coach's Premiere Diploma. Coach Tasci completed his Bachelors in International Business and his Master's degree in Sports Management.
ERIK LEVAY
Head Coach
Boys 2011 / Girls 2009
Coach Erik is a former player from the area. He attended and played at Bonita High School. After high school, he went to play Goal Keeper at Citrus College, and then transferred to University of La Verne and played as a center back for three years.
After graduation, he stayed on to help as an assistant coach at University of La Verne. He also became the head boys soccer coach at San Dimas High School where he led the team to their first ever CIF championship in 2019. He is still currently the head coach of the program.
BOB KNUDSEN
Head Coach
Girls 2006
Bob has been involved with youth sports since 1992 and has been coaching and refereeing soccer since 2001. He holds a USSF License and is certified as both a coach and referee.
He has coached both boys and girls at age levels ranging from U6 – U19.
Coach Bob’s goal as a coach is to inspire youth athletes and teams to achieve their highest potential both individually and as a team building strong relationships with his players and encouraging them to build strong relationships with each other, to instill a deep passion and drive to compete and succeed both on and off the field.
Bernard Hoffrogge
Head Coach
Boys 2013 / Girls 2008 / Girls 2009
Coach Bernard is a former defensive midfielder from Paradise California. He grew up playing his club soccer for Butte United and was a 4 year varsity player for Paradise Adventist Academy, where he was a Feather River League Best 11 honoree his Sophomore and Junior years, as well as being voted league MVP his Junior year.
Unfortunately his high school playing career was curtailed by injury his senior year, but he was able to play at the collegiate level for Butte College, as well as at the UPSL level for Chico City Rangers and Newport FC. Over the past 5 years, Bernard has changed his focus to coaching. Past coaching stops have included the varsity team at Paradise Adventist Academy, 2 youth teams for Irvine FC, 3 youth teams for Two Rivers Bay Area Soccer Club. He also served as the program director for Two Rivers Soccer Camp and most recently the youth program coordinator for Outbreak Soccer Center.
In addition to his teams with Claremont Stars, Bernard also coaches the JV Boys team at San Dimas High School. Coach Bernard currently has his USSF “D” coaching license and is looking to get his “C” license this year.
Katie Knudsen
Head Coach
Girls 2013
Coach Katie is a former goalkeeper and midfielder from Claremont, CA. She has been playing soccer since the age of 4, originally playing both AYSO and AYSO Select in Claremont and Upland. She also played several years for the Claremont Storm Soccer Club then eventually played for Claremont High School her freshman year.
Coach Katie continues to play soccer recreationally, and studies Biochemistry at California State University, San Bernardino. She has four years coaching experience in age groups ranging from U6-U15, and is licensed through USSF. She is currently taking her US Soccer 'D' License.
Coach Mario
Head Coach
Boys 2010 / Girls 2011 / Girls 2012
Marcos was born in Mexico with “soccer in my veins,” At 12 he arrived to US.
He played at Chaffey high school playing varsity since sophomore year. In 1994 CIF his team were CIF champions.
At age of 18 Coach Marcos was played with Los Angeles Cobras U23 team for LA Salsa, a few years later they became known LA Galaxy. Unfortunately, an injury took him off the game and fields.
Marcos started coaching in 2004 at the club level. He believes learning from mistakes is the key to children’s success and development and teaching the details of the game is the key for the attack and awareness.
