Yakima Valley Community College welcomes Luiz Machado to the Athletic Department as the new head women’s soccer coach. YVCC is expanding its athletic teams to include women’s soccer.

 Machado has been the head coach of the Yakima Red’s, a semi-professional soccer team, for the past five years. A seasoned athlete, Machado played in Brazil’s top soccer division for seven years, turning professional at just 14-years-old. Machado came to the United States through YWAM (Youth With a Mission) in 1997. He played for the Yakima Red’s before becoming a coach. Machado has a United States Federation Class ‘B’ coaching license.

 The Glen-Anthon renovation project will provide space for a soccer field, allowing YVCC to host practices and games. Construction on this project begins Oct. 7, and is slated to finish in 2007. Meanwhile, athletes will practice on a field at Perry Technical Institute. Machado will develop a team to begin competing in the fall of 2006, concentrating on recruiting local athletes as well as branching out to all of Washington and the Pacific Northwest.