Tony Talan

Tony has a playing career of 27 years and a coaching career of 5 years, Tony Talan has grown a large knowledge of soccer beyond those of many other young coaches. Born in Northern California to a college soccer coach, raised and babysat by college soccer athletes at Saint Mary's College (CA), Tony was exposed to higher levels of the game since he could walk. 

Tony played his club soccer in Elk Grove, CA, beginning competitive traveling soccer at U11 for Elk Grove United and, later, for sponsored club Elk Grove Everton FC. Tony attended various camps in his youth including Olympic Development Program (ODP) Tryouts up to the State level. Tony was recruited to play Division 1 soccer at the US Air Force Academy and played club soccer on campus at other schools he attended, including UC San Diego where his team won an Open National Championship in 2012. 

Following his college playing career, Tony coached Boys Soccer at his former high school, Laguna Creek HS, starting in 2015 as Fitness and Technical Skills coach for both JV and Varsity. Tony helped found and captained CCSL (now UPSL) Men's club team Elk Grove Blues while coaching and finishing school. Tony has held his US Soccer coaching license since 2009, assisting other coaches at his club after injury during his high school seasons.

Tony moved to Ridgecrest in 2017 to work on base as an engineer, and after settling in he jumped into the soccer community as a referee, having been certified by CYSA since 2008. He also held many pickup and training sessions for adults in the area, where his helpful yet determined demeanor earned him a job as the head coach for Burroughs HS JV Boys Soccer starting in 2021. 

Tony has experience playing and coaching all positions over the many soccer clubs he has been a part of, imparting much knowledge from his father as well as other college level coaches and sporting directors. Tony focuses heavily in his teaching on player vision and mindfulness as just as important as fitness and skills, if not more so. Tony often coins the phrase “soccer is like chess”, stressing to players that thinking ahead and understanding the “why” of theirs and their opponents movements gives a vital edge in high level soccer. He is a strong believer in tactical awareness and building smart, thoughtful players as the best way to prepare college-bound athletes.