Leadership
Dean Arrowsmith (he/him)
Senior Manager, Soccer In The Community
Oversees SITC Coach Development and Suburban Programs
Hometown: Dundalk, Ireland
CFFC Start Date: January 2023
Fun Fact: Coached in a Europa League game
Contact: darrowsmith@chicagofirefc.com
Jake Bruce (he/him)
Coordinator, Soccer In The Community
Oversees Fire Pitch and Chicago Programs
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Fun Fact: Has backpacked through Patagonia and traversed an extinct volanco there called Mt. Tronador
Contact: jbruce@chicagofirefc.com
Danny Hernandez (he/him)
Coordinator, Soccer In The Community
Oversees all SITC programs in the northern suburbs
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: June 2023
Fun Fact: Has taken a tour of the FC Barcelona Stadium, Camp Nou
Contact: dhernandez@chicagofirefc.com
Damian Rojas (he/him)
Coordinator, Soccer In The Community
Oversees all SITC programs in the southern suburbs
Hometown: Joliet, IL
CFFC Start Date: June 2022
Fun Fact: Loves to cook; his favorite dish to make is grilled chicken with a side of grilled cactus and a baked potato
Contact: drojas@chicagofirefc.com
COACHES
Anton Dershem (he/him)
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Coaching Qualifications: U.S. Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: Goalkeeper coach at 3 clubs, Assistant coach at 2 universities
Playing Experience: All-District, All-Region, 3rd team All-State in High School, 4 Year collegiate goalkeeper
Interests & Hobbies: Video Games, Golf, Watching sports
Favorite Food: Indian Cuisine
Favorite CFFC Player: Chris Brady
Fun Fact: The first pro soccer game I ever watched was CFFC vs Manchester United at Soldier Field in 2011
Alex Simmons (he/him)
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: April 2024
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community, Midwest United FC
Playing Experience: Lewis University, Grand Valley State University
Interests & Hobbies: Music, Sewing/Fashion
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: Lived in France for 5 years
Arturo Lopez (he/him)
Hometown: Chicago, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community
Playing Experience: Malcolm X College, Cicero Mayas FC, Real Michoacan, Dynamic FC
Interests & Hobbies: Collecting Hot Wheels, exploring nature, car enthusiast
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: Owns more than 100+ Hot Wheels cars
Analisa Martinez (she/her)
CFFC Start Date: June 2021
Coaching Qualifications: U.S. Soccer Grassroots License & D License
Coaching Experience: Girls High School Varsity Assistant Coach, South Suburban Academy Girls Head Coach U11
Playing Experience: High School Varsity, Kics FC, Governors State University, South Suburban College
Interests & Hobbies: Watching soccer & Netflix
Favorite Food: Green Pozole
Favorite CFFC Player: Chris Brady
Fun Fact: I am the oldest of 6
Daniel Dominguez (he/him)
CFFC Start Date: April 2023
Coaching Qualifications: U.S. Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community & Kelyn Park High school
Playing Experience: UIC & Acapulco F.C.
Interests & Hobbies: Soccer Tactics & Music
Favorite Food: Ceviche
Favorite CFFC Player: Philip Zinckernagel
Fun Fact: I had a beard in 8th grade
Sergio Alcala (he/him)
CFFC Start Date: April 2025
Coaching Qualifications: U.S. Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: Westmont Yard U6-U12 Coach, AYSO 300 U10 Boys and U10 Girls Coach
Playing Experience: 4 years college
Interests & Hobbies: Playing and watching soccer games, museums, hiking, and eating
Favorite Food: NY Strip Steak
Favorite CFFC Player: Cuauhtémoc Blanco
Fun Fact: I’ve ascended pikes Peak in Colorado, which has an elevation of 14,115 feet
Michael Barcenas (he/him)
CFFC Start Date: June 2024
Coaching Qualifications: U.S. Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CJ Brown Foundation and CFFC Soccer in the Community
Playing Experience: Malcom X College
Interests & Hobbies: Playing soccer , going to the gym, going for runs and trying new foods
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: I own more than 40 pairs of sneakers
Jan Serrato (he/him)
Hometown: Fennville, MI
CFFC Start Date: June 2021
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community
Playing Experience: Lake Michigan College
Interests & Hobbies: Photography, Arts and Crafts, Funko Enthusiast, Movie Enthusiast
Favorite Food: Chipotle
Favorite CFFC Player: Chris Brady
Fun Fact: Favorite superhero is Spiderman
Kassandra Silenzi (she/her)
Hometown: Carpentersville, IL
CFFC Start Date: June 2022
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community
Playing Experience: Concordia University of Chicago, Crystal Lake Force
Interests & Hobbies: Soccer, Collecting Records, and Listening to Music
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: Has met 10 USWNT players
Santos Anda (he/him)
Hometown: La Grange, IL
CFFC Start Date: May 2024
Coaching Qualifications: US Soccer Grassroots License
Coaching Experience: CFFC Soccer in the Community, AYSO Recreational Leagues
Playing Experience: AYSO 300, Mount Mary University
Interests & Hobbies: Weightlifting, playing video games, going out to new places
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite CFFC Player: Brian Gutierrez
Fun Fact: Big fan of sprinkles on desserts
Marcelo Saldana (he/him)
CFFC Start Date: May 2025
Coaching Qualifications: USSF C License, FMF D License, Expert in Youth Football by MBP School of Coaches
Coaching Experience: CFYSC Staff Coach, CFFC Soccer In The Community, Barça Academy Chicago, PSG Academy Chicago & P2 Soccer
Playing Experience: Rayados Academy
Interests & Hobbies: Travel, Beach and Movies
Favorite Food: Iberian Ham
Favorite CFFC Player: Jonathan Bamba
Fun Fact: Lived in Mexico/Spain/Colombia & USA
TESTIMONIALS
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