De Anza Force (Cupertino, Calif.) announced on Wednesday the addition of Albert Puig Orteneda, the former Academy Director of FC Barcelona, to the club as the Executive Technical Director of the De Anza Force Development Academy and Force Regional Player Development Centers. 

“We are thrilled that Albert [Puig] will be joining our team,” Jeff Baicher, De Anza Force Director of Coaching, said in a press release. “We have a huge admiration of Barca style of soccer. Albert shares our values and he places the same strong emphasis as we do on the player development. Albert’s extraordinary leadership, passion for excellence, and unequaled experience is going to pave the way for Force to become the most prestigious youth soccer club in the United States.”

Force already has name recognition as one of the best clubs in the United States. Current U.S. U16 Boys National Team head coach Shaun Tsakiris is the Director of Tactical Development at the club. He is one of a number of coaches who have proven over the years capable of consistently producing some of the best talent in the United States. A commitment to a style of play and a clear vision has been the driving force that has made the Northern California club a pillar for both boys and girls club soccer in the region as well as the nation.  

Puig brings a big name to the already reputable club. He joins De Anza Force after serving as the Academy Director for FC Barcelona from 2010-2014. 

“I am very excited to join Force as Executive Technical Director to develop an ambitious and unique project infusing the formula of success of the best academy in the world, the Masia with my 11 years of experience at FCB and the last four years as the director, to create a brand of soccer, unique to Force,” Puig said in a press release. “A style of play orchestrated by highly skilled, intelligent players with excellent positioning for greater ball movement and a quick recovery. I promise hard work, dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and sporting ambition to make Force a benchmark of good football in United States.”

Puig is joining De Anza Force on a three-year contract and he is enthusiastic to reach more players than just those part of the club. Puig will be working coaching seminars and clinics throughout California and in other states during that period. 

He is also planning to help promote top players to professional clubs in Europe through his extensive contacts and work experience during 2003-2006 as a scout for FC Barcelona, according to the press release. 

Puig begins work on June 1 and will have full autonomy and oversight of the strategic direction, technical, and tactical methodology in development of players and teams at De Anza Force.  

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