Oakland, CA (July 8, 2012)- The Bay Area Ambassadors (Ambassadors) will play FC Santa Clarita (Santa Clarita) in the first round of the National Premier Soccer League Region Playoffs. The match will be played at Raimondi Park in Oakland, CA on Saturday July 14^th, at 7:00 p.m.

The Ambassadors are coming off a 3-0 victory over the North Coast Tsunami. With the win, the Ambassadors won nine of their last eleven games to take first place in the West-Northern Conference. One of the wins during the streak came against Santa Clarita. The Ambassadors travelled down south on May 26^th and defeated Santa Clarita 3-1. The Ambassadors will look to have a repeat performance as they put their undefeated home record on the line in the first round of the playoffs.

Please come support the Ambassadors this weekend. Look for updates on the Ambassadors’ website (www.fcbayarea.com) and Twitter (@baafc).

It is with great sadness that we inform our community of the passing of a true friend, and a passionate, dedicated member of the soccer community.

Alex Rodriguez was a member of the Bay Area Ambassadors and multiple other soccer organizations until recently when he lost his battle with cancer.

He was a loving father and husband, dedicated family man, a coach, an analyst, a referee, ref coordinator and all around member of the family not just here with the Ambassadors, but with the Palma Ceia Elementary School Soccer teams as well as San Lorenzo High School Soccer teams, Hayward Youth Soccer League teams and others over the years.  He was known by many in the area as a class act. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

R.I.P Good Friend. You will truly be missed!

Alex Rodriguez is survived by his wife Irma and their two children Alexandra and Angeli. If you would like to contribute to help the Rodriguez family a Castro Valley Soccer Club bank account has been set up at the Citibank Branch in Castro Valley.

Deposits can be made to Castro Valley Soccer Club Account #204654081 and drop checks made payable to : Irma Rodriguez 26236 Industrial Blvd, Hayward Ca.  You can also make donations for his daughters to private Wells Fargo account #6633901738.

Here is the information on Alex's services:

Friday, June 22nd - Viewing at Holy Angels @ Harder & Mission Blvd.

Saturday, June 23rd -Celebration of Life Service @ Luz Del Valle Church Sleepy Hollow & Industrial Blvd @ 10:00 am. Burial following at Holy Sepulture Cemetery.

http://castrovalley.patch.com/announcements/obituary-of-coach-egberto-alex-rodriguez

http://www.castrovalleysoccer.com/home/637811.html

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/insidebayarea/obituary.aspx?n=egberto-rodriguez&pid=158119653

Oakland, CA (June 2, 2012)- The Bay Area Ambassadors (Ambassadors) extend their win streak against the Phoenix Monsoon (Monsoon). The Ambassadors handled the Monsoon easily in the 6-1 victory. They improve to 4-1-3 in their National Premier Soccer League season.

The Ambassadors picked up right where they left off from the previous weekend. They pressured the Monsoon immediately, keeping them in their half. After a spell of possession, the Ambassadors methodically broke down the Monsoon’s defense releasing Francis Lopez down the left flank. Lopez whipped in a cross that was deflected by one of the Monsoon’s defenders into the goal. The Ambassadors would strike again quickly off a corner kick that Jordan Keyes finished calmly at the back post. Keyes has two goals in the last two games. The Ambassadors would make the score 3-0 before the half when Emrah Klimenta got in behind defense and scored from a pass by Juan Cardenas.

The Ambassadors would look to continue to be attack-minded in the second half even with a three-goal lead. Dylan Leslie would make the score 4-0 when scored on his first touch after being subbed in off a corner from Javier Hill. The Monsoon would get one back from an impressive volley just at the top of the eighteen-yard box. The Ambassadors surged forward to get the goal back they gave up. Klimenta would score his second of the match from distance. Leslie laid a ball off for Klimenta who struck the ball purely into the back of the net. The final goal of the game came as a clearance from Klimenta caught the Monsoon defense sleeping. Leslie pounced on the ball and beat the goalie on a breakaway for his second of the game. The match ended 6-1.

“We did well today,” said coach Hakim Rashidi. “We’re obviously frustrated to give up a goal, but for the most part, we played a really good game.”

The Ambassadors have a re-match with the San Francisco Stompers this weekend. Look for updates on the Ambassadors’ website (www.fcbayarea.com) and Twitter (@baafc).

Image Courtesy of San Diego Flash Soccer @ www.sandiegoflashsoccer.com

Oakland, CA (May 13, 2012)- The Bay Area Ambassadors (Ambassadors) suffer a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the San Diego Flash (Flash). The Ambassadors fall to 1-1-3after the loss on a very windy afternoon

The first half was tough for the Ambassadors as they played into the wind. The windwas the best player for the Flash during the first half. The Ambassadors struggled toclear the ball from their due to a combination of the weather and pressure from theFlash. The Ambassadors’ defense was only broken down on an own goal. For mostof the half, the Ambassadors tried to attack through possession, while the Flashcontinually played kick ball.

The second half was difficult as the Ambassadors pushed for a goal. Momentum wasswinging in favor of the Ambassadors but was taken back by the Flash after theycapitalized off a mistake by the referee to score who failed to see the ball go out overthe end line. Even though the Ambassadors were deflated, they continued to pressforward. Again, the Flash would be the recipient of a break handed to them by thereferee. They took advantage of this opportunity to make the score 3-0 where thegame would end.

The Ambassadors return to Oakland to face FC Hasental this weekend. The gamewill be played at Raimondi Park. Look for updates on the Ambassadors’ website(www.fcbayarea.com) and Twitter (@baafc).

Via San Diego Flash:

Recap from San Diego Flash