Longtime Northern California coach, former collegiate and professional player, and experienced ODP leader brings decades of player-development experience to Cal North Girls ODP
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — [Aug. 25, 2026] — Cal North Soccer is pleased to announce Trisha Gonzales as the organization's Girls Technical Director for the 2026–2027 Olympic Development Program (ODP) cycle.
With nearly three decades of experience as a coach, technical leader, player and educator, Gonzales brings an extensive understanding of player development and the Northern California soccer landscape to the role.
Her coaching career has included Cal North ODP, U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV ODP, U.S. Soccer Talent Identification, collegiate soccer, professional and semi-professional soccer, competitive club environments and grassroots development.
In her new role, Gonzales will provide technical leadership for the Cal North Girls ODP program, helping establish a consistent player-development philosophy, support ODP coaching staff and create meaningful pathways for female players throughout Northern California.
“I'm honored to have the opportunity to lead the technical direction of the Cal North Girls ODP program,” Gonzales said. “Northern California has an incredible history of developing talented female players, coaches and leaders. My goal is to build on that tradition while creating an environment where players are challenged, supported and given the opportunity to reach their potential.”
Gonzales' connection to Cal North ODP goes back decades.
She began her involvement with the program as a player, representing Cal North ODP State Teams from 1988 through 1993 before advancing to the U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV ODP environment.
She later returned to ODP as a coach and has served on the Cal North ODP State Coaching Staff for more than a decade, coaching multiple girls age groups.
Her ODP experience has also included serving as a U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV ODP Regional Staff Coach, giving her experience working within player identification and development at both the state and regional levels.
That combination of having experienced the ODP pathway first as a player and later as a coach provides Gonzales with a unique perspective on what the program can mean for young athletes.
Gonzales currently serves as Director of Coaching for Manteca Rangers United, a position she has held since 2017.
She has also served as head coach for multiple Rangers United girls teams, including the 2014 and 2013 age groups.
Her teams have achieved success at the highest levels of Northern California youth soccer, including back-to-back Cal North State Cup championships.
From 2024–2025, Gonzales also served as Head Coach of Academica's USL Women's team, adding senior-level women's soccer experience to an already extensive youth-development background.
Her coaching career has included leadership positions with Pleasanton Rage, Elk Grove United, Fremont Soccer Club and other Northern California programs.
Across those environments, her focus has remained consistent: developing players while creating positive, competitive and purposeful team environments.
Gonzales' perspective as a technical leader is strengthened by her own playing career.
She was a four-year starter at Pepperdine University, competing in NCAA Division I soccer from 1993–1997 and earning Defensive Player of the Year honors.
She also represented the U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV ODP program and competed professionally and semi-professionally for nearly a decade post-college.
Her playing career included time with the Sacramento Storm, Silicon Valley Red Devils and San Francisco Nighthawks in the WPSL/USISL.
That experience at the youth, collegiate and professional levels gives Gonzales an understanding of the different challenges players encounter as they progress through the game.
Gonzales has continued to invest in her own technical education throughout her career, earning her Director of Coaching License - and being one of the 1st of two females in the country to earn the DOC license in 2019.
She holds a U.S. Soccer Talent Scout License, earned in 2024, as well as a U.S. Soccer Director of Coaching License, where she participated in the first pilot course.
She also holds a U.S. Soccer Grassroots Instructor License and previously earned her USSF National A, B and C Licenses.
Gonzales has worked with coaches and players throughout ODP environments and has served in leadership roles designed to support coach development and technical consistency.
That experience will be particularly important in her new role as she works with Cal North's Girls ODP coaching staff.
Gonzales currently serves as a U.S. Soccer Talent ID Scout, providing additional experience evaluating players and identifying potential within the broader player-development pathway.
That work complements her extensive ODP background and provides an important perspective as Cal North continues to develop its player identification and selection processes.
As Girls Technical Director, Gonzales will help establish technical standards and player-development objectives while supporting coaches in creating consistent training and playing environments across ODP age groups.
Her responsibilities will include supporting:
- Girls ODP technical planning
- Player identification and evaluation standards
- Coaching development and mentorship
- Curriculum and training methodology
- ODP event technical operations
- Player-development pathways
- Consistency across age groups
- Alignment with U.S. Soccer player-development principles
For Gonzales, the opportunity to lead the Cal North Girls ODP program represents a continuation of a relationship with the organization that has spanned more than 30 years.
She has experienced the program as a player, coach and technical leader.
Now, she will help shape its future.
“Trisha brings an extraordinary depth of experience to Cal North Girls ODP,” said Joyce Bordley, Coaching Education & ODP, Managing Director at Cal North Soccer. “She understands the program from every angle—as an ODP player, coach, technical leader and talent evaluator. Her experience developing female players throughout Northern California makes her an outstanding fit to lead our Girls ODP technical direction.”
As Cal North begins the 2026–2027 ODP cycle, Gonzales will work alongside the organization's technical leadership and coaching staff to strengthen the player pathway and create an environment where girls throughout Northern California can develop their game.
Her focus will be on technical excellence, player growth, coaching development and creating opportunities for the next generation of female soccer players.
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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