Get To Know Coach Hugo!

He grew up in a big soccer family.

Hugo Rhoads was born in Portland, Oregon and had a ball at his feet before he could walk. Growing up, he played for various recreational teams before transitioning into club competitions around the age of 12. He went on to play the next 6 years with FC Portland under the guidance of Brandon McNeil and Rob Baarts, who later coached him in college, as well.

Utilizing the style of play and philosophy that was introduced by Portland legend Clive Charles, his coaches throughout the recreational years helped him develop into the player, coach, and person that he is today. Having both an older brother and older sister who played soccer, as well as parents who were there every step of the way to make sure he made it early to each practice, game, and workout, Hugo Rhoads indeed came from a soccer family.

He graduated from the University of Portland.

Hugo graduated in three and a half years with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He was one of the last commitments of a large incoming freshman class into a strong Portland line-up, given no guarantee of setting foot on the field. To quote Clive Charles, “You’ve got to earn the right to play.” Hugo worked his way into the starting lineup after four games and started every game for the rest of his collegiate career. He went on to earn All-WCC honors each year, including Most Improved Player his freshman year, and ended his senior year with a First Team Selection, along with Team MVP as a left back.

Portland was a place that allowed Hugo to thrive on and off the field. During each off-season, Hugo spent his summers training with top level competition. In the summer of 2014, he was with the Timbers U23 squad and trained with and against some of the best talent currently in the MLS. In 2015, he traveled to Hanover, Germany to spend the summer training with the Bundesliga squad Hannover 96 under the guidance of Portland Alum and former US Men’s National Team Captain Steve Cherundolo. He also spent a brief stint in Sweden with a Division 3 Team.

He started playing and coaching professionally in Oklahoma City.

In February of 2016, Hugo came to Oklahoma City (OKC) to play for the NASL’s Rayo OKC. He was one of three rookies on the team, which had a star-studded roster of former National Team and World Cup players of their respective countries, including Georgios Samaras, Robbie Findley, and Derek Boateng. Hugo was signed as a left back and transitioned into a left midfielder.

Outside of training, he connected with youth teams and athletes and began providing private coaching lessons. From this grew a passion for working with players aspiring to improve. Through this passion, Hugo became involved in Soccer Allies, an organization that aims to help recreational youth players fall in love with the game. Taught by former MLS and USL players, the Soccer Allies mission has been one of the biggest influences on Coach Hugo’s coaching style.

Between 2017-2020, Hugo began to build a name for himself in OKC as one of the state’s top private coaches. At his peak before moving back to Portland, he was seeing 50-60 kids per week in a small group or private session setting.

He’s engaged!

Before moving back to Portland, Hugo and his now-fiancé Victoria got engaged in Oklahoma City with the clever assistance of some of his longest-standing trainees. Victoria is a Doctor of Pharmacy and is currently enrolled in a Master’s program for Public Health and Policy. Both Hugo and Victoria have been plant-based for four years after being inspired by Victoria’s father Rob, who has been plant-based for eight.

They both love the rain (obviously) and being around family in Portland, Oregon has been very nice. Victoria has been a massive influence in the success and continued growth of Hugo’s coaching career through everything and will be seen every now and then at the sessions. We currently have a cat, and a puppy may be in the near future, as well.

He wants to help you reach your next level.

Coach Hugo is ready to work day in and day out to make sure that you, as a player, are receiving the training that is meticulous to you. Whether your goal is to move up a team, earn more playing time, or keep your fitness and touches on the ball sharp, Hugo will be there to help you achieve it. The sessions are designed in a way that balance the serious mentality of competition and the fun-loving nature of the game.

Hugo is highly active throughout the sessions, making sure that the pace of the training is intense and also to promote more game realistic situations. Players looking to train with Hugo need to bring focus, energy, and a positive attitude. While you are taking it easy, someone else is out there working to be an even stronger player. What type of player do you want to be?
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