Rivas to head SoCal Crush women’s soccer team

Former Crescenta Valley High girls’ soccer Coach Reggie Rivas was named the first coach in the history of the newly formed Southern California Crush Football Club.

The team officially joined the United Women’s Soccer League, a Tier 2 league, on Saturday and made its hire of Rivas, director of operations for the Crescenta Valley Soccer Club, as head coach.

Rivas and the Crush are in the process of filling out a roster and staff, but three of the club’s first four signees are local players with another regional pick.

Crescenta Valley High alumna Rachel Bird, Hoover product Jordan Miller and former La Cañada standout Kara Lankey will be a part of the team along with one-time Pasadena Poly star Ryan Casey.

There is an Eastern and Western Conference that makes up the UWS and the Crush will join the now six-team western side, with its immediate rival being the Santa Clarita Heat.

A schedule and location of home matches has not yet been formalized.

“I am proud to provide an opportunity for our future, current and post college soccer players the ability to continue to develop their skills,” Rivas stated in a press release. “I feel that this program will give hope and inspiration to the next generation of girls wanting to play in college and professional soccer.”

For more information, visit www.socalcrushfc.com.

The 2017 campaign is set to kick off in May.