Ruben Fernandez (soccer)

Ruben Fernandez
Personal information
Place of birth United States
Position Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Irvine Strikers U15 (goalkeeping coach)
Youth career
Real Avilés
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
CF Fuensalida
–1994 Atlético Alcorcón
1994–1997 Anaheim Splash (indoor) 80 (0)
Total 80+ (0+)
International career
1998–1999 United States (beach) 5 (0)
Managerial career
United States (beach) (assistant)
–2017 Godinez Fundamental High School (boys)
2017– Irvine Strikers U15 (goalkeeping coach)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's beach soccer
BSWW Mundialito
1998 Figueira da Foz, Portugal
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ruben Fernandez is an American former beach soccer player who represented the United States men's national beach soccer team and later became a association football coach at the high school level in California.

Playing career

From ages 11 to 18, Fernandez trained rigorously, aspiring to a professional soccer career.[1]

He represented the United States men's national beach soccer team in 1998–1999, earning caps in international competitions including the Beach Soccer Copa America and the Beach Soccer World Championships.[1][2]

One of his notable achievements was contributing to the USA's victory at the 1998 Mundialito de Futebol de Praia (BSWW Mundialito), held in Figueira da Foz, Portugal. The U.S. topped their group, with wins over teams including Italy and Canada, defeated Brazil 3–2 in the semifinals, and won the final 8–2 against Peru to claim the title, marking one of the USA's most significant early international successes in beach soccer.[3]

He was named the tournament's best goalkeeper after recording an accuracy rate of 87% while participating in all five games, conceding just 10 goals.[4][5][3]

Fernandez later assisted U.S. beach soccer programs as an assistant coach and talent scout, including tryout camps in Texas.[6]

Coaching career

After retiring from playing, Fernandez transitioned to coaching. He served as head coach for the boys' soccer team at Godinez Fundamental High School in Santa Ana, California, where he led the team to significant success.[7] In 2017, he was named the Orange County Register's Boys Soccer Coach of the Year after guiding Godinez to the CIF Southern Section Division 2 title and the CIF Southern California Regional championship.[8]

He has also worked as an assistant coach for the United States men's beach soccer team.[9] Additionally, Fernandez has been involved in beach soccer training and talent identification events, such as camps in Texas.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Giving back to the game". Los Angeles Times. October 9, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  2. ^ "BSWW take active part in CONCACAF course". Beach Soccer Worldwide. April 8, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2026. ...Ruben Fernandez, former USA National team player...
  3. ^ a b "Portugal claims Mundialito back!". Beach Soccer Worldwide. July 27, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2026. The Americans, winners of the Mundialito in 1998...
  4. ^ "The USA won the World Cup by defeating Peru in the final: Brazil beat Portugal and took 3rd place on the podium". arquivo.pt. August 9, 1998. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  5. ^ "Rankings: Defenses %". arquivo.pt. August 9, 1998.
  6. ^ a b "Facebook post on training experience". CC Beach Soccer. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  7. ^ Zone, Tim Burt, OC Sports (2021-05-20). "Godinez boys soccer team prepares for CIF semifinals after 2-0 victory over Santa Ana Valley". Retrieved 2026-02-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Boys soccer coach of the year: Ruben Fernandez, Godinez". Orange County Register. March 24, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  9. ^ "Godinez boys soccer team tops Ocean View, 3-0". Orange County Register. December 26, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
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