Houston Bolt Announce Rafael Lopez as Head Coach of the Professional MLIS Team

Your Houston Bolt are excited to officially appoint Rafael Lopez as Head Coach of the Professional MLIS Team for the 2022–2023 season. Rafa is a results-driven, versatile soccer coach, with experience in all facets of competitive soccer programs, including organization and technical directing. He is a hands-on leader with diversified talents in coaching, managing teams and staff, compliance, and recruiting quality players. Rafa has over 10 years of Head Coach experience, ranging from youth development to semi-professional teams, including the Houston Hotshots Men’s semi-professional team from 2015 – 2017 and most recently the Houston Fury Men’s semi-professional team.

Houston Bolt sat down with Coach Rafa to ask him a few questions:

What do you want to achieve in year one with the Houston Bolt?

“I want to make this new franchise [Bolt’s Professional Team] the best in the league and build a strong unit that will be able to reach the national tournament and hopefully bring the championship home.”

Describe your ideal player.

“A player that can adapt to different situations, a player that is knowledgeable in reading the game, a player that has discipline and can make a difference on and off the field.”

How do you expect the MLIS team and PASL team to work together?

“First the coaches, assistant coaches, and players must adapt to the style of playing that I think would benefit both teams. Both teams must also follow the same short-term goals for success.”

Anything you want the fans to know?

“I would like to tell them to please come and support this new franchise [Bolt’s Professional Team]; we will give them a great show and we will make sure the players leave their heart and souls on the field to achieve a win every game.”

Houston Bolt General Manager, Brian Cushing, is also thrilled to have Rafa join the Coaching staff, “We are really excited to welcome Rafa to the Bolt family. We truly believe he is the right fit to not only lead this team in the MLIS, but he's also the right fit when it comes to believing in what we are doing as an organization. He has the connections to help bolster this roster and make us that much better. We can't wait to see him in action."

Houston Bolt will be announcing the open tryout dates SOON, so make sure to follow all of our social media pages for updates!

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