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For Andres Angel, 38 year old soccer coach from Venezuela, there’s no such thing as a schedule that’s too busy. He first described soccer to me as his “whole life”—he holds an unshakeable love for the sport, defining his life by the various roles soccer has played in it. He’s remarkably multi-dimensional, with a career as a player, then 13 years as a chef, and now 7+ years as a coach. Angel has served as the U19 and U15 Academy Teams’ coach at Key Biscayne Soccer Club for the past seven years, while simultaneously doubling as the MAST Academy Varsity Boys Soccer head coach for the last two years.
Unlike most, who take on second jobs out of sheer necessity, Angel’s decision to step in as head coach at MAST was a product of the strong relationships he’d built with his players at Key Biscayne Soccer Club (KBSC). It was through the persuasion and encouragement of several KBSC players that he found the opportunity and ultimately committed to it. Angel spoke of his firm bond with his players, citing their passion for soccer as a source of personal motivation; the coach-player dynamic he fosters is one of mutual respect, with inspiration flowing in both directions.
We spoke at length about the pressures of navigating two coaching roles simultaneously, how he balances it, and what keeps him going. Angel weighed each question with careful thought; he spoke earnestly, with a sincerity and spark behind his eyes. He described the MAST soccer season as passionate and intense, with the boys really living and engaging in every moment. He explained that the shortness of the school season makes for an electric, high-pressure environment in which the players throw themselves fully into the game. He’s inspired by the true grit and heart of his players, praising their discipline, leadership skills, teamwork, and unbridled enthusiasm.
In terms of his coaching philosophy, Angel notes that it doesn’t change much between teams, but rather depends on the individual player’s needs. He spends hours each morning doing video analysis, determining how he can help the players—and the overall team—maximize their potential. Angel does 1-on-1 sit downs with players, clearly communicating his expectations of them, how they’re performing, and how they can improve.
At MAST, Angel hosts training sessions with all 40 players on the roster, making sure everyone gets a chance to play, gain experience, get feedback, and grow. He pushes his players to take on leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of younger/newer players getting the chance to play alongside seasoned/older players. Angel takes the time to truly understand each player as an individual and learn their needs. Despite the difficulty that comes with balancing long-term development and a short school season, this ever-evolving progress is Angel’s favorite part of the job—He firmly believes that every match and every player counts.
Interestingly, Angel gets to witness a kind of nexus point of the broader Key Biscayne community: he watches kids that play for both teams grow up on the field—growing as players, as people, and as a team. He sees the excitement for soccer amongst the general MAST student body; friends and parents come out every week to watch and cheer, while players proudly show off their love for soccer, determined to make history for the school. Long-time club players and non-club players work together on the MAST team, creating an environment of inclusivity, friendship, and self-expression.
Andres Angel is the man behind the curtain—he’s the heart of this niche intersection in the community. The young leaders that have emerged, the grandparents that got to cheer for their beloved players, the parents that made new friendships and sparked new conversations, the life-long bonds formed between players, the excitement of other students…all of this is set in motion by Angel’s hard work as coach for both MAST and KBSC.
In the half hour that I interviewed Angel on the edge of the MAST field, at least 3 different elementary-aged kids broke line from their warmup jogs to run up to him and say hi. Angel doesn’t coach any of them, yet they still know and respect him; I saw his role as a pillar in the Key Biscayne community first-hand, and stood amazed by it.