LJ b soccer: New JV coach

Jason Diaz (R), in the first day of tryouts
on the Muirlands field, is the new
Viking JV soccer coach.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

Victor Zendejas, the vibrant, outgoing assistant varsity coach at La Jolla High, says what the boys team will be like this winter and who will emerge as captains are really up in the air. "We don't know," the veteran soccer coach said, on both counts. "We are going to see."

Tryouts for the varsity begin Mon., Nov. 12, on the Veterans Day holiday. There is no school that day, so the Vikings will be afforded time for a 2 p.m. workout that begins the tryouts. The practice will take place on the Muirlands Middle School field.

Meanwhile, Zendejas, always the talkative, friendly persona, said something new to report is that Jason Diaz, the son of Manny Diaz, a former Viking player, will be the new junior varsity coach.

"Manny played with me at La Jolla," the coach said. Zendejas played three years on the varsity, from 1984 through 1986.

Another event of note is that Zendejas recently coached several University City High players from the CIF championship team. In the irony of today's youth and high school sports world, the coach will oppose his own players during the upcoming prep season.

La Jolla faces the talented UC team in a home-and-away arrangement during the Eastern League season Jan. 15 (at home) and Jan. 31 (at UCHS).

"UC will be the strong team in our league," said Zendejas.

La Jolla has had talented players in recent history, including individuals who were invited to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and other development teams. The Viking program has enjoyed its greatest recent success with the continuity that head coach Marcos Gonzales has brought the past five years, with Zendejas serving under him.

Zendejas' son, Adrian Zendejas Rodriguez, is a professional goalie who has played for the Tijuana Xolos in 2014-2016, and who since 2017 now plays for Sporting Kansas City in the MLS (Major League Soccer). He is a big, strapping guy, much taller (6'5") than his father. He is now 23 years old. He played at Hilltop High School in Chula Vista as a sophomore in 2010-11 and a junior in 2012-13.

According to information online, Adrian has made 34 appearances for the Swope Park Rangers, who are affiliated with Sporting KC as part of the United Soccer League and who play their home games in Kansas City, Kansas.

Adrian has a Swope Park Rangers bobblehead doll. One is available on ebay right now for $125 or best offer plus $12.50 shipping, with a Hat Trick Harry bobblehead in the package. (Hat Trick Harry apparently is a gorilla-looking mascot for the USL Swope Park team.)

According to the schedule posted on MaxPreps.com, La Jolla's opening game comes Tues., Nov. 27, at home against Clairemont. That date is just after the Thanksgiving weekend.