Important Update: Welcoming Our New Director of Coaching

The Rangers Academy would like to share an important update regarding the Director of Coaching position within our Club. Back in November 2024, your Board of Directors made the decision to open this role to external candidates as part of our ongoing commitment to providing the strongest possible leadership for our players, coaches, and families. We want to emphasize that this decision was made with careful consideration of the Club’s mission and values.

This opportunity was open to all qualified candidates, and applications were accepted through the end of December. After a thorough interview process involving multiple candidates, our interview panel reached a consensus on a recommended candidate. This candidate was then presented to the voting Board of Directors, who met with them in person. Following that meeting, the Board of Directors unanimously agreed to extend an offer to Carlos Cruz, which he officially accepted last week.

Carlos is a Chicago-Land native and former University of St. Francis standout, where he finished his playing career ranked in the top ten in school history for goals, assists, and overall points. With 28 years of coaching and directing experience, Carlos has successfully worked across youth recreational, travel, high school, college, and semi-professional levels. His impressive career also includes coaching US Youth Futsal teams internationally in Portugal, Argentina, Spain, and France.

Carlos is the Director and co-founder of Futsal Club Alianza in Fort Wayne and has held leadership roles as the Founder of the Fort Wayne Futsal Premier League and Fort Wayne Phoenix. Additionally, he serves as the boys’ soccer head coach at Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne. Coach Cruz holds a USSF National C, National D and Youth National A License, USYF Level Three National Futsal license and Coaching Certification from the FC Barcelona Escola. He is also the USYF Indiana State Futsal Director, Regional/National Staff Coach, and member of the United Soccer Coaches Association.

Carlos will officially begin his role on March 1st, but he plans to engage with our Club community before that date. Carlos is eager to meet our coaches, players, and families and will be present at various club activities and “meet and greet” events in the coming weeks. He is committed to fostering growth and development in alignment with our Club’s values and beliefs. We are confident that his expertise and leadership will bring significant positive impacts to our program on and off the pitch.

We also want to acknowledge our current Director of Coaching, Joe Imhof, for his outstanding contributions to the Club. Joe has demonstrated incredible dedication, professionalism, and loyalty throughout his tenure. We have deeply appreciated his efforts in building a strong foundation for our players, coaches, and teams.

Coach Joe would like to share the following statement to our Club “I am both excited and honored to see Coach Carlos Cruz appointed as the Rangers’ next Director of Coaching. Over the past 15 months, during my time as Interim Director of Coaching, we have seen significant accomplishments and positive changes that have set the foundation for our club’s long-term success. Moving forward into this spring, I am eager to focus entirely on coaching a team and contributing to their continued growth and development.”

Please join us in welcoming Carlos Cruz to our Club and in expressing our appreciation to Joe Imhof for his invaluable service.