Michael Alcaraz '15 completed his second season for the Manhattanville men's soccer team in 2019. He assisted first-year head coach Paul Templeton to a successful return to the Skyline Conference. Alcaraz is the program's top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He also assists with operations, alumni relations, fundraising, academic advising and more.
Alcaraz helped guide the Valiants to an undefeated second-place regular-season finish in the Skyline, with just one tie, en route to a first-round bye in the conference tournament. He primarily worked with the Valiant offense as the squad scored a Skyline-best 59 goals as a team -- tied for the most since 2004) -- led by 40 points (including 12 goals) from offensive player of the year Pablo Bravo Olle '21. Additionally, Manhattanville picked up a total of eight all-conference honors, including four first-teamers.
In his first season in 2018 as the top assistant coach for the Valiants, Alcaraz assisted Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Coach of the year Steve DeMatteo in all facets of the program. He again worked primarily with the Valiant attackers, who netted 48 goals on the season -- the most by the program since 2011 -- and earned six total MAC Freedom all-conference honors, including midfielder Cody LaCava ('22) who was named MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year.
Alcaraz previously spent the 2017 season as Assistant Director of Operations at the D-1 University South Florida. The Bulls finished the year with a record of 6-6-4, a 3-2-2 mark in the American Athletic Conference.
Prior to USF, Alcaraz won the United Premier Soccer League’s Western Conference title in 2016 as an assistant with the San Fernando Valley Scorpions. Alcaraz also has experience at the professional level, having worked for New York City Football Club and the New York Red Bulls in of Major League Soccer as part of their gameday operations.
As a player, Alcaraz was a two-year member for the Valiants as a defender/midfielder, starting 23 of his 28 appearances, netting one goal and adding six assists. Prior to Manhattanville, Alcaraz was a two-year starter at Pasadena City College, where he was First Team All-Conference his sophomore year.
Originally from Burbank, California, Alcaraz currently resides in Purchase while pursuing his master’s degree in sport business management.
