Arizona Western College Women's Soccer

The Yuma, Ariz., native was named Interim Head Women's Soccer Coach in October of 2023, taking over midseason and leading the Matadors to Region I and West District championships, qualifying for the national tournament for the second time in program history.  In their second-ever trip to the NJCAA DI Women's Soccer Championship, Verdugo led the Matadors to a pair of wins in a PK shootout over Navarro and Monroe Community College to advance to the national semifinals for the first time in program history.  Before being elevated to head coach, Verdugo served as a goalkeeper coach for both the Matadors women's soccer program and men's soccer team. The Yuma High School grad played in the ACCAC at conference foe Chandler-Gilbert and for the Arizona Saguaros Professional Development League before beginning his coaching career. Verdugo's list of keepers who have played for national teams and his time as a part of Olympic Development camps add another layer of knowledge and an additional resource for Arizona Western's keepers to rely on.  Before returning to Yuma, Verdugo served as the Assistant Goalkeeper Coach for Colorado Mesa University in the NCAA when the Mavericks' 11 shutouts were 5th in the country. Verdugo has also spent time with the Arizona Olympic Development Program and the USL-W League as an assistant. He was the Goalkeeping coach for the Matador Men for the past two seasons. In the offseason, Verdugo serves as an assistant coach for FC Tucson men's team in the USL2 and the women's team in the WPSL. While with FC Tucson, Verdugo worked closely with the goalkeepers, helping develop MLS draft pick Casper Mols.