California Athletic Soccer Club welcomed retired U.S. National team and Major League Soccer (MLS) star Sean Franklin to the CASC family and coaching staff.

“CASC is incredibly proud to welcome Sean Franklin as part of our coaching staff,” said CASC Director Kurtis Millan. “Sean’s playing experience and list of achievements is unmatched in Southern California. It goes without saying how happy we are to have someone so close to our players who can share first-hand what it takes to become an elite level player. Not only as a club are we bringing in someone with an incredible background in the game, but also someone who immediately shares our club’s philosophy, and values: integrity, accountability, and pride.”

California Athletic Soccer Club, formerly Crescenta Valley Soccer Club (CVSC), is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to teaching soccer to young players in California.

Coach Chad Borak, director of the CASC San Fernando division, added, “The entire club looks forward to Sean joining our club. He has worked closely with MLS coaches and knows what it takes to develop young players to a higher level. He plans to work tirelessly on behalf of the players and program to help us reach our goals, and our student-athletes will benefit greatly from his expertise on and off the field. He not only has a great soccer IQ, but he has done a lot of work off the field to help young kids in our community.”

Franklin was named the Golden League’s Most Valuable Player as a high school senior, earned all-area first-team honors in 2003 after helping the Highland High School Bulldogs in Palmdale to a Golden League crown in 2003 and at Cal State Northridge was an invaluable member of the Matadors’ defense. He was named to the All-Big West Conference team in both 2005 and 2006. During his college years, Franklin spent two years with the San Fernando Valley Quakes of the USL Premier Development League.

MLS took notice of Sean’s success as he was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, and selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy. Franklin achieved great success when he was named 2008 Rookie of the Year and went on to win two MLS Cup championships. He also played for DC United and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

“Initially, Sean will come in and work with our boys 2005 Discovery NPL group, but we are already looking at how we can impact every player in the club utilizing Sean’s experience, and desire, to develop youth soccer players,” Millan said. “We are very excited with this addition to the CASC family.”

CASC offers any perspective families and players from ages 5-18 the opportunity to try-out-the-club. If interested, visit https://athleticsc.org/tryusout/.