HTX Soccer is excited to announce additions to the coaching staff serving our elite female players.
Hiro Suzuki, has joined HTX from the Houston Dash where he served as the Assistant Coach/Video Analyst and most recently as Head Scout. Hiro joins the Girls Academy staff bringing a wealth of experience in areas including methodology, tactical periodization, and implementation of technology to increase player development. His prior experience with Houston Dash and the Houston Dynamo Academy afforded him invaluable experiences working with professional and elite level youth players. He will become an age group Head Coach and have oversight for video analysis within the program.
Hiro received a Bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University and an M.B.A. from UCLA Anderson School of Management. He holds a US Soccer “A Youth” License and resides in the Manvel area with his wife Leanne and three young children (Kai, Emi and Reina).
"I want to thank Randy Evans, Dave Dengerink and Andy Squire for this opportunity to make a positive impact on the HTX Girls Academy program," said Hiro Suzuki, Academy Staff Coach. "I hope to make a difference in the players’ development pathway by utilizing my experience, knowledge and network from my time at the highest levels of soccer. I look forward to working with the players, parents and staff to create a high performance environment that will further progress American women’s soccer."
Willie Fowlkes has also joined the GA staff as a Head Coach after his long tenure in the HTX City Program. Coach Willie will lead the incoming 12 GA and 09 GA joining our current GA head coaches Jon Aspinal (10 GA), Marcus Watt (11 GA, 08 GA & 06 GA) and Dave Dengerink (07 GA).
Mike Openshaw transitions into the role of HTX City Director. Coach Openshaw (or Coach Crouchy as he is affectionately known as by many players) has been instrumental in the development of our City Program, which serves our top U10-U12 talent. His impact is seen both in their local market and collectively through our Select program, where the top players from around the City come together to represent HTX in Regional & National level events. “I have been fortunate to be involved with our City Program since its inception in 2017, said Michael Openshaw, City Director. "With the club presenting me the opportunity to now lead the program, I am excited for the journey ahead working with the staff and players to continue to elevate the development of our elite girls youth programs across all locations.”
Finally, Andy Squire will become the new HTX Soccer Girls Director, a role created to align and elevate the girls programming throughout the organization.
“First and foremost, I’d like to congratulate Coach Mike and Coach Willie on their new positions. Their commitment to the HTX City Program and the development of our U10 to U12 girls has been evident by the success those players have experienced when they graduate into our regional and national platforms," said Andy Squire, Girls Director. "I’d also like to welcome Hiro to our GA staff. His expertise and experience is something the players, coaches and parents can be incredibly excited by. We will now be able to engage the players in new ways with technology at the forefront, pushing their development and performance in ways that typically only collegiate and professional players can experience. On a personal level, I am excited to take the girls programming to the next level. Our ambition is huge and we have a clear vision of how we accomplish our goals and help each player accomplish theirs.”
"The club continues to evolve coaching staff roles and assignments in preparation for the upcoming fall season," said Randy Evans, Technical Director. "The Elite Girls Program continues to improve and compete with excellent results on a national level along with placing players into the top colleges in the country. By making the above exciting changes and adding further resources will strengthen our girls coaching staff slate for the future."
ABOUT HTX SOCCER
HTX Soccer is the largest youth soccer club in the Greater Houston area with more than 8,500 players at every skill level from recreational to elite and all age levels from 3-19. The club truly represents the sport in Houston, with teams serving a 100-mile radius from Downtown Houston. Since 2017, it has developed over 400 players who have gone on to play collegiately, more than any other club in the area, and 53 players have been invited to participate in national team activities. Thirteen (13) players are or have competed on a professional level. HTX Soccer’s elite boys teams are part of the ECNL, the most competitive youth boys soccer league in America, and its elite girls teams compete in the Girls Academy (G.A.) League against the top teams and clubs throughout the country.