Youth Ambassador Mentorship Program
What makes us unique
About: Our Club is much more than just our staff and coaches. We have an entire network of current and former StrikerZ DFW Men’s and Women players that share the same vision and mission as the Club and are here to help our players succeed on and off the pitch! These “Ambassadors” are passionate individuals who have experienced success at high levels of the game, continue to demonstrate strong character, and who have transitioned and found success in their occupation.
Our Ambassadors are committed to sharing their experience and journey with our players through the monthly Ambassador mentorship program: Every month, a running rotation of at least one Ambassador will attend our training sessions, provide insight into their soccer and occupational career, and answer questions from our team!
From Coach Tony: “Being able to pull from a variety of individuals who want to grow the youth game and help the younger generation succeed is a true blessing. All our Ambassadors have had serious success in their playing careers, are from the DFW area, and have moved on to become successful members of our local communities. Having them share their stories is a unique opportunity and gives our players multiple perspectives and blueprints to find their success.”
Our Ambassadors
Michael Knapp
I grew up in Arlington, TX, and commuted every day to attend Jesuit Dallas for high school. After high school, I went to the University of Notre Dame and was a member of the NCAA Division I soccer team. I graduated with a degree in finance and began my career in NYC. I am now a Vice President at a private equity firm based out of NYC. I played every sport growing up but always loved soccer the most. Soccer is a universal game that draws people together from different backgrounds.
My favorite quote is: "there but for the grace of God go I." It is a reminder that we should appreciate our blessings and that outside factors (such as God's grace or one's upbringing) have played a role in one's success in life. I was fortunate to attend the university I dreamed of attending since I was a kid and was able to play soccer there, but my piece of advice would be to recognize that happiness can be achieved through many paths, whether that's playing soccer, playing an instrument, being a good student, being active in church, having a hobby, etc. Everyone is different and no single path is the right path. Seek what makes you happy and put your best foot forward. As my dad said to me growing up, "if you want something, go get it."
Bruno Mbamala
Born in Imo State, Nigeria, Bruno and his family later relocated to the DFW metroplex in the early 2000s. A graduate of South Grand Prairie High School where he started playing soccer for the first time, Bruno went on to play on the soccer teams and to receive his bachelors and masters degrees from Appalachian State University and the University of Montevallo, respectively. He currently manages Digital Products for a freight company out of Houston. A true lover of the game, Bruno still suits up regularly for various competitive outfits across the metroplex. On why he loves the game “Soccer has a lot of components that has shaped my life…. the physical, social, and educational components are key reasons.” Lastly, his advice on how to be successful on and off the field “Communicate well, be fearless, care for those around you.”
Liz Navarette
I grew up in McKinney, TX and attended McKinney High School. In high school I played a couple of years in the WPSL league which was really enjoyable, competitive and taught me how to play a more physical game. After high school I continued my education and my soccer career at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX. At Midwestern I started all four years as a center mid and captained the last two, winning a conference championship my senior year. From Midwestern I graduated with Honors with a degree in Business; a year after undergrad I started a graduate degree in Urban Planning and Real Estate at UT Arlington and graduated with a Masters in 2020. Now I work in the DFW Metroplex/Oklahoma City for a Top 10 National Homebuilder in Land Acquisition and Development. I love soccer and continue to play because it gives me the greatest sense of teamwork and connecting with others. I also am not someone who seeks adrenaline rushes, rollercoasters scare me, but soccer provides the right amount of adrenaline for me! What makes me feel the most accomplished and excited is playing a really creative, fast-paced, possession-oriented game where everyone on the team gets plenty of touches on the ball. My favorite quote is from the book Fahrenheit 451 "We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed." As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over". I grew up playing with amazing teammates and am still friends with many of them 10 years after our club soccer days have ended. If you are able to surround yourself with great people and play the sport you love with them, your "vessel" and your heart will be full for life! My advice would be to have fun, challenge yourself, lift up your teammates and have confidence in your abilities!
Kristian Garciamendez-Rowold
While I was born in the Bay Area, my family quickly relocated to Fairview, TX. Early on while attending Jesuit College Prep. School of Dallas, I realized that I wanted to continue playing soccer at the next academic level. I went on to attend Davidson College and played four years there, captaining my senior year. Davidson offered me an incredible opportunity when it came to both academics and athletics. I finished with my B.S. in Mathematics and went on to receive my M.S. in Operations Research at Southern Methodist University. Currently, I’m a Senior Data Scientist at a corporate bank.
Soccer has played a major role in becoming the person that I am today. Soccer is a global, diverse, and simple game that teaches countless life lessons, while creating unique opportunities to grow. Challenging myself, creating unique friendships, exposing myself to new cultures, and learning responsibility, teamwork, and leadership are all outcomes that soccer has provided in my life. While these are all positive benefits, the most important part of soccer is that it’s a game of joy and should be fun for everyone.
Growing up, a common expression my parents would say would be to ‘cuidar las cosas’, which translates ‘to take care of things.’ While this was mainly meant for my siblings and I to learn how to handle objects with care, I believe that this attitude and expression extends to learning how to treat others and nature with respect. You should find joy in everything you do, and in doing so, you’ll naturally respect and “care” for all animate or inanimate objects
Austin Benner
Born in Houston, we moved to Allen where I grew up and attended Allen High School. I was recruited to Fontbonne University in St. Louis and transferred to the University of the Ozarks my sophomore year. After a successful college career, I trained briefly with the MK Dons Academy Team and had trials with Notts County, Witton Albion FC, and the Colorado Switchbacks. After the professional soccer route ended, I leveraged my degree in Business Administration and Management and now work as a Product Manager for an ATM provider.
Soccer has and will always be part of my identity. My father, David, played goalkeeper professionally for the Houston Hurricanes in the 70s/80s and my brother, Ryan, played goalkeeper at Allen High School and Southwestern University. Growing up in that environment and what has kept me drawn to the game for so long is the constant drive to become better every day, competing against the best, and the friends you meet along the way.
The two pieces of advice I’d give to kids looking to grow with soccer would be 1) work harder in school than you do on the field to set yourself up for success later in life, and 2) push as hard as you can to make your playing dreams come true. You have one chance in life to make it as far as you want to go
Jack Savage
I was born and raised in Carrollton, TX. I went to Trinity Christian academy where I played football, soccer, and ran track. I went to Texas A&M for my first semester of college (thinking I was done with sports). I had the opportunity to go play at the collegiate level from playing overseas for three weeks before my freshman year at college. I ended up at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, where I started for four years, and served as a team captain for the last three of my career. I graduated with a BBA in Accounting.
Since graduating college, I’ve played at the UPSL level, and multiple competitive men's leagues.
I love soccer because there is no other sport that is the “world’s sport”. You can connect with people from all over the globe through soccer, and I was lucky enough to meet people from all over the world. I also love soccer because I love how “free-flowing” it is. Yes, there are tactics, but the sport leaves the playing up the the players ultimately, and it’s beautiful when you have a team who really understands the game.
I’m currently an audit associate (public accounting) at Baker Tilly, LLC.
My favorite quote is something that my dad instilled in me as a young boy, it’s “your actions speak louder then your words”. I love this because there’s people who will tell you that they are good, or that they’ve achieved this, but when you see how they work it doesn’t add up. I’ve loved this quote in all aspects of my life, because it’s taught me to work hard and to keep my head down. People will see you working hard by how you play, or how much work you put in whatever you do, you don’t have to tell them. Work hard when no one is looking is a great one too.
One piece of advice is something that I’ve learned throughout my life personally: to take in and enjoy the little things, never take for granted what you have because it’ll be over or gone before you know it. Love the people around you, and lead in a way that makes the people around you better as well
Adrian Nunez
I was born and raised in McAllen, Texas. Playing soccer helped me connect with my dad, as well as many other benefits. We moved to Dallas when I was 13, and it was a big culture shock for me. Yet, soccer was the consistency I needed to break that ice and meet new friends and stay connected with family. I played at Flower Mound High School for four years, then played at University of the Ozarks for four years.
I grew as a leader through my years of playing soccer. My dad always taught me that it’s easier to lead through example, showing what you can do on the field in front of your teammates, rather than just saying motivating words. I love playing soccer because it helps me connect with new people.
It’s helped me become successful at coming out of my shell. I’m a rehab technician for Baylor Scott & White and a nursing student, and the experiences through soccer has helped me better do my job.
My favorite quote is "the only way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
My be advice to share with our players; "Don’t take life for granted, use your abilities and skills to help yourself grow, don’t waste an ounce of knowledge."
Elias Ramos
Bio coming soon!!