Mira Costa boys success skyrocketing

A lot of coaches and teams bandy about the word "program" quite liberally, but in the case of the Mira Costa boys program, what they have is truly a program.   Not only do they win, and win a lot, but they are are not measuring success in terms of just wins and losses. The Mustangs measure success in how much growth the athletes have made as people.   "Sports offer a series of really stark inflection points that we can confirm sustained effort over long periods of time," Mira Costa coach Al Brown said. "We see our success on the field as confirmation of the growth we pursue in practice, the bonding we do off the pitch, and our ability to maximize our collective potential. The rings we seek are merely a way of confirming that we have or have not successfully navigated the difficulty of making our bodies do what we know they are capable of in our minds."   For Mira Costa, the goals are tiered and they are part of creating continuity every year. The goals are to become a better person, become a better athlete, become a better soccer player and then seek out the rings.   The rings that Brown speaks of seeking are those of a Bay League title, Southern Section Division I title and a SoCal Regional title. The Mustangs reached those heights in the 2020/2021 season are looking to do so again. Right now the Mustangs look to be one of the very best teams in the state of California, with just one loss, coming by a goal to JSerra Catholic, which is ranked as the No. 1 team in the state.   To be one of the top programs in California, which would make you one of the top teams in the nation, it takes players buying in to what you are teaching. It takes belief, but that does not come easily. Results matter as players need to see the fruits of their labors paying off.   "As results accrue, belief becomes automatic," Brown said. "We have some intense tactics that require an awful lot of physical fitness. This is high-risk, even higher reward soccer, and they all know the months we spend growing our fitness and camaraderie are part of creating value when the season actually arrives."   This team is a close-knit community, with most of these boys spending the better part of 15 years growing up and playing with one another. Due to this closeness, this team creates value during the offseason, in the season and after, making the moments on the field mean that much more. This breeds a culture of wanting to work hard for the people you are on the pitch with, and spend every day at training with.   Mira Costa has been a very successful program for two decades, so success is not new for them. In fact, the Mustangs won the Southern Section Division I title and the SoCal title in 2021, and since Al Brown took over as the head varsity coach in 2017, the team is 108-21-16.   "I've been coaching for this program since 2008, and was a player from 1997-2001," Brown said. "I take a lot of pride in what we have built. We want a nationally recognized program, and see each year as another step along that path. Head of Program Gary Smith was my coach when I was here, and I take a lot of pride trying to do justice by his example. We have a really great group of boys and are hopeful for this season."   Winning is not new for Mira Costa, and they are prepared to make another run at a section and state title.   "This team can win everything," Brown said. "The key will be making sure we are able to handle the emotional and psychological ups and downs of bad bounces, missed calls, and things not going according to plan. As a coach, you try and prepare your team for everything. Ultimately, situations arise that we must be able to solve on the fly. If we can align internal and external ability, we will compete for a championship."   The Mustangs have many players who will be key players, and here are six of them that will play big roles.   [player_tooltip player_id='8204' first='Marco' last='Bottene'], Forward, Class of 2025   Bottene actually played against Mira Costa in the DI final in 2021 as he was a freshman at Loyola. He integrated well last season with the Mustangs because he knew a lot of the players, and he showed his skill and ability, being one of the most fundamental players in the area. He works very hard, he knows how to score and leads by example. He's committed to Penn already.   Grant Gilmer, Outside Defender/Winger, Class of 2024   The senior winger has this program in his blood, having family ties to Mira Costa. A natural athlete, Gilmer can handle attacking players down the flanks with confidence and poise. He has a high soccer IQ and when he moves up the pitch, he sets his teammates up for success.   Sean Gauer, Outside Defender, Class of 2024   Gauer is what you can call and all-rounder. He can do a bit of everything and will do anything he can to help the team win. He plays as a right back, but is given license to move about the pitch as he sees fit. He gets involved on both ends, and plays with a tenacity, and a want and desire to come through in big moments.   [player_tooltip player_id='7583' first='Evan' last='Hansen'], Keeper, Class of 2024   Hansen has been a varsity player for three years, and is the team's rock between the sticks. He takes over as a senior as the main keeper, after getting time the previous two seasons. He is an organized keeper and a commanding presence in the back who will play a huge role for the Mustangs.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/12/DSC08391-crop-3463x2274-1703022619.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-157627" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Noki Lam @nokisflickks</figcaption></figure>   Ian Rodriguez, Central Defender, Class of 2024   Rodriguez starts at center back and is a defender with the foot skills of a No. 8 or a No. 10. He is a very tough player, but one who keeps his head about him when there are stressful moments. He is a natural leader who can calm his side down and inspire them to push through in a close match.   [player_tooltip player_id='6890' first='Ace' last='Tendale'], Forward, Class of 2024   With speed to burn, Tendale has been moved up to the No. 9 role as opposed to playing as a defender. His approach is unorthodox, and because of that it wreaks havoc on opposing defenders. He is fast and can get behind defensive lines, and is also very good at holding the ball up and connecting with teammates. He can be an unstoppable force.

A lot of coaches and teams bandy about the word "program" quite liberally, but in the case of the Mira Costa boys program, what they have is truly a program.