The College of Staten Island men’s soccer program has welcomed former assistant coach Christian Cuba back to the campus as its new Assistant Coach. Cuba will join Head Coach John Tardy’s staff, which included his brother, Alex Cuba, former Dolphin Alfonso Castaneda and Goalkeeper Coach Antonio Meza.
Cuba, who was the CSI Dolphins’ Assistant Coach for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, stepped away from the team last year, but will rejoin the staff in time for the 2017 campaign. A fixture on the pitch, Cuba is expected to offer a great training regiment alongside keen recruiting and scouting skills.
“I am very happy to be bringing Christian back on staff,” said Tardy. “He brings a unique training style to our practice sessions, and that positive energy will carry over on to the team.”
Prior to joining the Dolphins in 2015, Cuba was the Assistant Coach at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY for eight seasons from 2006-13, and topped his experiences there with a Northeast College Championship. There, he was a principal contact for recruiting, budget management scouting reports and game film breakdown.
Since 2012 Cuba has been the Head Coach at the Cedar Stars Academy 03 Boys team and is the Head Trainer, Owner and Operator of CMC Futbol Training Company in Staten Island, where he trains and manages private clients and grounds to include video analysis and player technique. Overall, Cuba has been a part of the soccer training and coaching circuit since 2001. He graduated from Monsignor Farrell High School in 2002, where he was a three-year Staten Island Advance All-Star. He then played for St. Peter’s College on full scholarship, helping the team to a 2013 MAAC Championship.
Returning to CSI to help CSI further its quest for a championship is something Cuba is extremely excited about.
“I am very excited to be back,” he said. “I know the potential of this team and I’m definitely looking forward to the season and seeing what we can do.” When asked what his objectives were for the team, Cuba had no hesitation. “Our expectation is to win a CUNYAC Championship and to get to the national tournament. This year will be dedicated to making that final push.”
The Dolphins will intro the season on September 2, when they host Wisconsin-Platteville, at 2pm, at the CSI Soccer Complex.