Leadership
Sara Reilly (she/her)
Manager, Soccer In The Community
Oversees the management of all SITC programs
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2019
Fun Fact: Speaks conversational Spanish and Polish
Contact: sreilly@chicagofirefc.com
Dean Arrowsmith (he/him)
Manager, Soccer In The Community
Oversees all SITC coaches and the SITC curriculum
Hometown: Dundalk, Ireland
CFFC Start Date: January 2023
Fun Fact: Coached in a Europa League game
Contact: darrowsmith@chicagofirefc.com
Jake Bruce (he/him)
Coordinator, Soccer In The Community
Oversees all non-Fire Pitch programs in Chicago
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Fun Fact: Has backpacked through Patagonia and traversed an extinct volanco there called Mt. Tronador
Contact: jbruce@chicagofirefc.com
Danny Hernandez (he/him)
Coordinator, Soccer In The Community
Oversees all SITC programs in the northern suburbs
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: June 2023
Fun Fact: Has taken a tour of the FC Barcelona Stadium, Camp Nou
Contact: dhernandez@chicagofirefc.com
Damian Rojas (he/him)
Coordinator, Soccer In The Community
Oversees all SITC programs in the southern suburbs
Hometown: Joliet, IL
CFFC Start Date: June 2022
Fun Fact: Loves to cook; his favorite dish to make is grilled chicken with a side of grilled cactus and a baked potato
Contact: drojas@chicagofirefc.com
COACHES
Alan Trejo (he/him)
Hometown: Westchester, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community, CJ Brown Foundation
Playing Experience: United SC Chicago, Malcolm X College
Interests & Hobbies: Working out, playing soccer
Favorite Food: Lamb over rice
Favorite CFFC Player: Chris Mueller
Fun Fact: Had previously had an ACL repair
Alex Simmons (he/him)
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: April 2024
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community, Midwest United FC
Playing Experience: Lewis University, Grand Valley State University
Interests & Hobbies: Music, Sewing/Fashion
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: Lived in France for 5 years
Arturo Lopez (he/him)
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community
Playing Experience: Malcolm X College, Cicero Mayas FC, Real Michoacan, Dynamic FC
Interests & Hobbies: Collecting Hot Wheels, exploring nature, car enthusiast
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: Owns more than 100+ Hot Wheels cars
Austin Keate (he/him)
Hometown: Tinley Park, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community, CJ Brown Foundation
Playing Experience: Lewis University, Indiana Wesleyan University
Interests & Hobbies: Cooking, playing soccer
Favorite Food: Cheeseburger
Favorite CFFC Player: Kellyn Acosta
Fun Fact: Has met Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian soccer player
Diego Rivas (he/him)
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: June 2021
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License, 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11 Licenses
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community, Brighton Park Elementary, Walter Payton College Prep, Thomas Kelly High School, Mount Carmel High School, Chicas Youth Club in Chicago
Playing Experience: Chicago Wind, FC Drive, Thomas Kelly High School, Roosevelt University.
Interests & Hobbies: Going on walks with his dogs (Corazon and Messi), running, and bowling
Favorite Food: Brazilian food
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: Scored the 1st goal in Conference history for Roosevelt University in 2012
Diego Rivera (he/him)
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: June 2020
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: St. Patrick High School, CFFC Soccer In The Community
Playing Experience: Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Edgewater Castle, Juanacatlán, Chicago BlackcatsÂ
Interests & Hobbies: Going to the gym or for a long run
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite CFFC Player: Brain Gutierrez and Federico Navarro
Fun Fact: Traveled to Krakow, Poland during junior year of school
Esther Okuro (she/her)
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
CFFC Start Date: June 2022
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: Oakwood University, CFFC Soccer In The Community
Playing Experience: Mississippi State University
Interests & Hobbies: Collects Comic Books, Loves Travel Paired with History
Favorite Food: Chapati and soup, a Kenyan cuisine classic
Favorite CFFC Player: Kei Kamara
Fun Fact: Active Opera Singer and Composer
Freddy Arechiga (he/him)
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community and FC77, Pritzker College Prep
Playing Experience: Pritzker College Prep, Raiders FC, Bulldogs FC
Interests & Hobbies: Playing soccer, traveling and visiting new places, working out at the gym
Favorite Food: Steak and fries
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: Traveled to Panama for a soccer tournament
Jan Serrato (he/him)
Hometown: Fennville, MI
CFFC Start Date: June 2021
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community
Playing Experience: Lake Michigan College
Interests & Hobbies: Photography, Arts and Crafts, Funko Enthusiast, Movie Enthusiast
Favorite Food: Chipotle
Favorite CFFC Player: Chris Brady
Fun Fact: Favorite superhero is Spiderman
Juan Flores (he/him)
Hometown: Rockford, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License, US Soccer D License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community, Chicago Fire Youth Soccer Club, Jefferson High School
Playing Experience: Jefferson High School, Rockford Men's League
Interests & Hobbies: Dance bachata, cook and grill Mexican food, draw portraits
Favorite Food: Seafood
Favorite CFFC Player: Kellyn Acosta
Fun Fact: Has won two bachata dance competitions in Chicago
Kassandra Silenzi (she/her)
Hometown: Carpentersville, IL
CFFC Start Date: June 2022
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community
Playing Experience: Concordia University of Chicago, Crystal Lake Force
Interests & Hobbies: Soccer, Collecting Records, and Listening to Music
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: Has met 10 USWNT players
Santos Anda (he/him)
Hometown: La Grange, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community, AYSO Recreational Leagues
Playing Experience: AYSO 300, Mount Mary University
Interests & Hobbies: Weightlifting, playing video games, going out to new places
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: Big fan of sprinkles on desserts
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