SACRAMENTO, Calif. — [Aug. 20, 2026] — Cal North is excited to announce the 2026-2027 Cal North ODP Technical Staff, bringing together experienced technical leaders to help shape player development, coaching standards, and the long-term technical direction of the program.
The ODP Technical Staff will provide leadership and expertise across Cal North ODP and YOP, with a focus on creating a consistent, high-quality player development environment for athletes across Northern California.
The group will work closely with Cal North's Director of Coaching Education & ODP, Joyce Bordley to develop and oversee the program's annual technical plan, establish player development standards, support coaching staff, and ensure ODP remains aligned with U.S. Soccer player development principles and best practices.
Meet the Technical Staff
Trisha Gonzales — Girls Technical Director
As Girls Technical Director, Gonzales will provide technical leadership for the girls' ODP pathway, helping establish consistent coaching methodology, player development standards, and technical objectives across age groups. Gonzales will also contribute to player identification and selection processes, observe training and identification events, and provide technical feedback to ODP coaching staff.
Lee Dunne — Boys Technical Director
As Boys Technical Director, Dunne will oversee the technical direction of the boys' ODP pathway, working with coaches to promote consistency in methodology and player development. Dunne will help develop evaluation criteria, support player identification efforts, observe training and matches, and provide technical guidance throughout the ODP season.
Casey Clark — Director of Goalkeeping
As Director of Goalkeeping, Clark will provide specialized leadership for goalkeeper development throughout Cal North ODP. Clark will help establish goalkeeper-specific development standards, support and mentor ODP goalkeeping coaches, and ensure goalkeeper training is integrated into the overall technical philosophy of the program.
Eric Nilius — YOP Director
As YOP Director, Nilius will lead the technical direction of Cal North's Young Olympians Program, supporting the development of players at the foundational stages of the ODP pathway. Nilius will help establish development standards and technical objectives while working to create a consistent pathway for players progressing through the program.
Building a Consistent Player Development Pathway
The Technical Staff will support Cal North ODP across four key areas:
Technical Leadership
The TAG will help develop and oversee the annual technical plan, establish the program's technical philosophy and curriculum, and provide recommendations on program growth and long-term technical strategy.
Coaching Leadership
TAG members will lead and mentor contracted ODP coaching staff, participate in preseason, event, and postseason technical meetings, and provide ongoing technical feedback to promote consistency across age groups.
Player Identification & Selection
The group will help establish player evaluation criteria and identification standards, observe identification events and training sessions, and participate in technical discussions surrounding player pathways. Final player selections will remain the responsibility of Cal North.
Event Technical Oversight
During ODP events, Technical Staff members may oversee technical operations, coordinate age-group objectives, observe matches and training sessions, lead technical debriefs, and ensure consistency in coaching and player development standards.
“The formation of this Technical Staff heading into the 2026-2027 cycle represents an important step forward for Cal North ODP,” said Joyce Bordley, ODP Director. “Bringing together leaders with specialized expertise across the girls' and boys' pathways, goalkeeping, and YOP allows us to strengthen our technical foundation and create a more consistent development experience for players and coaches throughout Northern California.”
Through this collaborative technical structure, Cal North aims to provide players with a clear, consistent and development-focused pathway that challenges them to grow as athletes while preparing them for higher levels of competition.
About Cal North Soccer
Cal North Soccer is the Northern California state association for youth soccer, serving players, coaches, referees, clubs and leagues throughout the region. Through player development programs, coaching education, competitions, safety initiatives and community partnerships, Cal North is committed to creating opportunities for players to develop their skills, confidence and lifelong passion for the game.
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