Austin FC Academy announced today the continued expansion of its Soccer Operations team. Ale Olivares and Memo Sifuentes join the U-12 coaching staff from FC Westlake and Laredo Heat SC, respectively, while Jordan Leblanc joins as Academy Coordinator from DE Turf Sports Complex.
“We are grateful to add quality professionals in Ale, Memo, and Jordan to our growing Academy coaching and operations staff,” said Tyson Wahl, Austin FC Academy General Manager. “All of them progressed through our internship program and all three have been working in youth soccer in Texas for many years. Austin FC Academy is committed to helping local talent progress both on and off the field, and Ale, Memo and Jordan have already had a major impact in helping us achieve that goal.”
Olivares originally joined Austin FC Academy as an intern in 2020. Prior to joining Austin FC, he served as Curriculum Director and Head Coach for FC Westlake (2018-21). Prior to Westlake, he served as Technical Director and Interim Director of Coaching with Dynamo Juniors of Central Texas (2017-18). Olivares has been a teacher for Austin ISD since 2008, serving as both Middle School and High School Soccer Head Coach within the district. He is currently a U.S. Soccer "B" license candidate and holds an Advanced National Diploma from United Soccer Coaches.
A Texas native, Sifuentes, arrives to Austin FC from Laredo Heat SC, where he served as Director of Coaching for two (2) years (2018-20), as well as being an educator for Austin ISD (2020-21) and San Felipe Del Rio ISD for a cumulative six (6) years (2013-18). He has also been part of the South Texas Olympic Development Program (ODP) Coaching Staff since 2015 and was recently invited to join the South Region ODP staff. Sifuentes holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Schreiner University, as well as a U.S. Soccer “B" license and a U.S. Soccer National Youth license.
LeBlanc joins Austin FC via DE Turf Sports Complex, where he served as Director of Operations and Events. He also served as Director of Competitions for South Texas Youth Soccer Association and Programs Assistant for US Youth Soccer (2018-20). He played soccer professionally at Närpes Kraft Fotbollsförening in Närpes, Finland, during their 2013 season. LeBlanc holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Old Dominion University, where he led the team to three (3) consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (2010-12). A native of Philadelphia, PA, LeBlanc spent his childhood playing club soccer for FC Delco, winning four (4) Regional Championships.
