Freddy Juarez first Real Monarchs coach, strengthening academy ties

Freddy Juarez is moving from a coach at Real Salt Lake's Arizona academy to the head coach position at Real Monarchs, according to a club press release issued today. He's joined by David "Bingy" Lara, who has been working at Morehead State University in Kansas.

Juarez had several years of playing experience in various USL iterations, but most recently, he coached RSL-AZ's Under-16s, where he found a lot of success, including taking the group in 2012-13 to a National Championship, which they won. Under his guidance, they made the playoffs every year since 2010.

He'll certainly be working with some of those players moving forward.

Unusually, Juarez has international experience — but for the national futsal team. He also played for El Paso Patriots and Minnesota Thunder.

Lara played then coached at University of Kentucky before moving to an assistant coach position for Morehead State women's soccer team.

No news of Monarchs' first signings yet, but the excitement should be starting to build now.