In his Santa Clara Sporting ’92 team, coach Carlos Brasil has all the experience he could ever ask for.

Most of the group has played with one another since the age of eight. They’ve competed in too many tournaments to ever remember, and formed a chemistry where each player on the team knows where the other is going to be on the field.

In short, there’s nothing that will transpire this season that will in any way surprise this seasoned squad.

And for Brasil, that’s where the challenge begins.

“There’s nothing I can say that they haven’t heard,” said Brasil, who has coached some of the SC players since they began with the club. “For the last two years we’ve gone into the season with the exact same 18-man roster. Complacency will be a challenge for us.”

It isn’t just that the team is accustomed to the same routine, it’s that they’ve already accomplished many of the things most clubs aspire to.

Santa Clara is defending state cup champions and National US Club champions. They’ve been to various cup finals and tournament championships over the years, and they have a slew of decorated individuals as well.

Midfielder Sebastian Lletget is a player who’s in and out of the lineup – mostly out – due to his touring with elite teams and overseas clubs, and is currently in Italy.  He isn’t the only player with international ties – Forward Juan Robles has been looked at by Chivas Guadalajara, while regional player Daniel Flores has gotten looks from Monterey of Mexico.   

Right wing Richie Osbourne had a tryout with Chivas USA, while midfielders Sebastian Zuniga and Gino Rivera are both regular regional team players.

Midfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Erik Huerta along with defensemen Richard Robledo and Zak Tahar are both state competitors.

So Brasil has a whole lot to work with.

“We play in two separate leagues and we’ve won eight of the last ten titles. It’s a pretty talented group,” he said. “We always have great chemistry and we’ve played and defeated some pretty tough teams in various tournaments.”

Santa Clara is a smaller team which relies on ball skills and ability. As a group, the team has a very high soccer IQ and an advanced knowledge of tactics.

Of course, with the team gathering for the first time in a few months, and the state cup just around the corner, Brasil does worry about the team being sharp.

“Last year it took us three months to really get going,” Brasil said. “Everyone comes back and no one wants to defend – a lot of the backs have played offense for their high schools. We’re very possession oriented, so we have to get a rhythm going. It will take some time.”

Not to worry coach – this team has been there, done that.