Javier (Javi) cruz began coaching at Eastside FC in 2021 after four years at Titans FC and four years at Fuerza FC. Javier was born and raised in Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico.

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As a young boy in Mexico, he grew up playing futbol in the streets, Often times playing “una reta” where the loser team had to pay for Coca Colas for the winning team. He hated asking his mother or grandmother for money and started developing a competitive edge, a drive to succeed and a love for the game that he still has to this day and tries to instill in his players.

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Javi moved to Wenatchee, WA when he was 9 years old. During his freshman year of high school he moved to Seattle, WA and enrolled at Ballard High School where he graduated in 2011. While playing for Everett Community College, he began getting involved with Fuerza FC, a club in Marysville. During this period with Fuerza FC, Javi found a passion for coaching and developing players while balancing playing at the Semi-pro level around Bellingham and Seattle area.

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During his time with Titans FC, Javi coached multiple age groups from U9-U18. Javi led his B06 Navy team to a League title in 2018. Javi led his B07 and B01 Navy teams to a 2nd place finish. Over time he also became a location director for Titans Bothell location as well as a Futsal director.

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Besides coaching for Eastside FC, Javi coaches for Sammamish High School. He’s the Head coach for the Girls JV team as well as the assistant coach for the Varsity girls and boys. Javi is fully committed to assisting players develop their game and founded Seattle Futbol Academy, an independent private training academy that focuses on 1on1, small group and academy style training sessions. Javi is soccer obsessed and balances, coaching for Eastside as well as coaching for Sammamish High School and running his private training academy.

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When not on the pitch, Javi likes to spend time with his family and friends or reading/educating himself. Javi enjoys camping while grilling carne asada and listening to his favorite rock bands.