Phoenix Rising FC has added Marcos Reina as an assistant coach, Chris Standring as a video analyst and Jeronimo Aimar as its strength and conditioning coach, the club announced today.
The newcomers join returning Assistant Coach Danny Stone and Goalkeeper Coach Cory Robertson to round out Head Coach Juan Guerra’s coaching staff for the 2023 season.
“The most important asset of soccer clubs are the players,” said Guerra. “I have no doubt this group of coaches will be able to provide our players with what they need to maximize their potential on and off the field. This staff understands our culture and game model very well. I trust, respect and love each one of them. Our team and players are in very good hands.”
Born in Barcelona, Spain, Reina began his coaching career with Liga MX side Pumas UNAM in 2016. He remained with Francisco Palencia when he transitioned to Liga MX sides Lobos BUAP for the 2018/19 seasons and again when the gaffer joined Mazatlán FC in 2020/21. Guerra brought Reina to Oakland ahead of the 2022 season.
Originally from London, England, Standring started his video analysis career at London-based AFC Wimbledon and supported the side to their promotion to the English Football League for the first time. He then joined Chelsea FC’s Academy, working with the Youth Development Phase until 2014, when he became the club’s U18 Performance Analyst. During his time with Chelsea U18’s, he helped win the FA Youth Cup on multiple occasions, U18 Premier League National Championship and U18 Premier League Cup. Standring earned a BSc. in Sport Science & Computing and a Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics He is currently working towards his UEFA ‘C’ License.
Aimar began his career as a match analyst for CD Leganes in 2003 before returning to his home in Argentina in 2006 to serve as a fitness coach for multiple first division clubs. He spent 12 years in that role in Argentina and Guatemala prior to becoming a fitness coach for Argentina’s U-15 National Team from 2018 to 2020. Aimar served as the fitness coach for the Guatemalan National Team in 2021 before joining Guerra in Oakland for the 2022 season.
Stone returns for his third season as an assistant coach with Rising. He joined the club on March 9, 2021. Originally from Liverpool, England, Stone spent time with Blackburn Rovers FC and Notts County FC before transitioning to a coaching career with the Colorado Rapids in 2010. He worked to build the Rapids Alliance program, establishing a strong youth academy structure for the MLS club. Stone served as a first team assistant coach with the Rapids from 2015 to 2018 and spent the 2019/20 seasons as an assistant coach with Oklahoma City Energy FC.
A native of Phoenix, Robertson is entering his 10th season as Phoenix’s goalkeeper coach. He also serves as Phoenix Rising Youth’s Director of Goalkeeping. Prior to joining the club Robertson was an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s programs at Drexel University, helping both programs to conference championships and the men’s program to the NCAA Tournament after a 40-year absence. While in Philadelphia, he served as the Director of Goalkeeping for the Greater Chester Valley Soccer Association and Abington Community United Soccer.
Phoenix Rising head coach Juan Guerra Finalizes Coaching Staff Ahead of 2023 Season
