IN THE CUE: Alberto Bru’s phenomenal success as Southern California elite club director stretches far beyond the pitch
- Dan Stickradt
- Apr 2
- 5 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
– NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK STAFF EDITORIAL – VICTORIA CUE
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Alberto Bru has had a long-standing impact on youth soccer players and inspiring future college and even professional hopefuls for a generation and more.
As a former player in beautiful and sunny Southern California, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with one of the best youth coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing soccer for in the past, Alberto Bru – or as most know him, ‘A.B.’
He is the current Club Director for LAFC So Cal Youth, where he oversees soccer development, a role in which he has an impressive track record as a successful coach for many years.
In March of 2021, Bru’s former club Real So Cal formed a partnership with the Los Angeles Football Club, resulting in what is now known as the LAFC So Cal Youth. Now operating under the official LAFC umbrella the youth program has “aligned themselves as a pathway to their (LAFC) Academy” as A.B. puts it, making it more accessible for the elite players to have a clearer path to the LAFC MLS Next Academy Program.
Although Bru no longer holds the title of a soccer coach at the current moment, he continues to step in as a backup for the entire youth club. When asked if he misses the coaching aspect of his job, A.B. shared “I’ll cover a practice every now and then, but for the most part my job is to cover games, assisting games, as well as evaluating both players and coaches during games.”
His impact never stops, no matter the position he holds in the soccer community.
I decided to dive deeper into his coaching career to better understand what it takes to become a successful youth soccer coach for both boys and girls. A.B. was the last soccer coach I had before turning 18 and graduating from Oak Park (Calif.) High School. I played for several clubs and coaches both before and after A.B., but I couldn’t be more thankful for the experience I had with him as a coach before starting my college soccer career at Cal State University-Northridge.
Simply put, A.B. wasn’t just a great coach – more importantly, he was an outstanding person and a great listener. As a child you don’t always realize that not every coach has your best interest at heart, but with A.B., I always knew that was the case.
Always.
Bru’s journey began as a player, as he played for California State University-Los Angeles,
commonly known as Cal State L.A. before transitioning into an assistant coach for the program.
He later took on a coaching role at a local community college, and when the opportunity arose to coach a youth team, he responded with a simple “sure, why not?”
That team was a youth club girls soccer U15 squad which was a part of the then-West Valley Soccer League. His players showed up to practice wearing denim shorts and tennis shoes – a far cry to what young players have at their disposal today. Since 1989, Alberto Bru has been coaching youth soccer, earning four USYSA National Championships and back-to-back Cal South Nike Coach of the Year awards.
I asked A.B. about the changes he would like to see in U.S. Youth Soccer, and his response was candid: “Youth soccer, how can I put this delicately, is in its best state and its worst state,” he explained “It’s in its best state because there’s so many kids playing right now. They’re so good. There are so many good coaches out there and so many talented players.”
Bru also expressed concerns about the sideline behavior from parents, describing it as an “epidemic” in all sports and in society today.
“The monetization of youth soccer is getting ugly,” he added.
He elaborated on how everyone seems to be profiting off the sport in various ways – from private lessons to tournaments, travel trips, leagues calling it “a bit crazy”. He then spoke about a phenomenon known as the “race to nowhere” a term that’s been coined to describe the intense pressure placed on young athletes.
My final question for A.B. was what he’s most proud of as a club director and coach during his long tenure. He shared that he is incredibly proud of his three USYSA National Championships, which, at the time, was the highest honor in youth soccer in the country. Having won one myself in 2015 with Legends FC, I can confidently say there is no feeling quite like it, knowing not only you’re the best team in the nation but also that you’ve had the guidance of one of the best coaches.
Alberto Bru is that coach.
Bru has been an integral part of the club for 35 years and during that lengthy time period, the club has consistently remained a place “built on quality soccer, strong membership, and a positive environment.”
He expressed great pride in the legacy the club has created, saying, “So many great players have gone through this club that have achieved so much.” Bru has been a part of the club for 35 years and in those three-plus decades the club has always been a place “built on quality soccer and built on quality membership and a positive environment,” said the veteran coach.
Bru really emphasized how important it is to foster a supportive community that encourages growth, hard work, and positive experiences for every player involved.
His journey through the world of youth soccer is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion, and ability to cultivate success both on and off the field. His remarkable career as a coach and now as the Club Director for LAFC So Cal Youth has not only shaped the lives of countless players but also set a standard of excellence that will resonate for generations to come.
Alberto Bru’s story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through hard work, humility, and an unwavering belief in the potential of a player, and his influence will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of soccer in Southern California for years to come.
(Victoria Cue is a member of the National Soccer Network team involved in both the social media and the editorial departments. She is a former youth club soccer standout in Southern California and high school soccer and track athlete at Oak Park (Calif.) High School. Cue later played collegiate soccer at NCAA Division I Cal State University-Northridge. She has also traveled around the country as a player over the years competing in various levels of the soccer pyramid. She can be reached via email at vcue@thepremiermediagrp.com and also follow her on various social media platforms).
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the National Soccer Network regarding club/youth soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with ties to a particular state or states, contact Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and news@nationalsoccernetwork.com, or call 248-525-2349.
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