Executive Director
Coach Daniel Benito-Alcala was born into the working-class neighborhood of Vallecas in Madrid, Spain. It was in Vallecas that Daniel first experienced the joy of soccer playing with his neighborhood friends after they finished their schoolwork. This same neighborhood is home to his beloved Rayo Vallecano Soccer Club, which is currently part of the Spanish First Division (La Liga EA Sports). Benito-Alcala developed as a player in the lower levels with different clubs in Madrid. He then decided to focus on coaching the sport he loves. Coach Benito-Alcala completed his undergraduate studies in Spain with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from the Universidad Politécnica of Madrid, Spain. He was then awarded a Master’s Degree in Education from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Spain.
After graduation, Daniel became a coach and physical trainer at Club de Fútbol Rayo Majadahonda in Madrid while also studying for a Master's Degree in Sciences of Physical Activity and Soccer at the Universidad de Castilla in La Mancha, Spain. During this time, he learned to apply this education and how the raw materials of talent and commitment must be cultivated to produce quality soccer players.
Soon after completing his second Master’s degree, Coach Benito-Alcala moved to Austin and began working as a Bilingual Teacher for Austin ISD. During his seven years at AISD, he coached soccer and also coached at the Austin Texans Soccer Club for two years. In 2011, he founded One World Soccer, where he served as the Executive Director and Director of Coaching and coached all levels of competition for seven years. Most recently, he has been the Barca Academy Austin Director of Competition. During this time, Benito-Alcala obtained experience with multiple CAYSA, STYSA, and US Soccer Courses. Coach Benito-Alcala holds a US Soccer B Coaching License and a US Soccer A Youth Coaching License. He and his family have been living in Pflugerville since 2012. Coach Benito-Alcala has this to say about joining PFC, “I am extremely excited and honored to join the Pflugerville FC family as the Executive Director and would like to thank the Pflugerville FC Board of Directors for allowing me to be part of this successful organization. As a Pflugerville resident, being able to help Pflugerville FC fulfill its mission and goals of offering the best youth soccer opportunities for the boys and girls in Pflugerville is a great responsibility. Soccer continues growing in Pflugerville and the surrounding areas. I look forward to continuing this trend in my new role, leading and supporting the board members, directors, and coaches. In contrast, they continue doing their outstanding work, serving the families and helping the players reach their full potential. My focus now is to pay close attention to the club´s priorities and help ensure that Pflugerville FC provides the best experience for our coaches, players, and families.”
Director of Coaching
Celaya joins the PFC team with over 15 years of experience and licenses from the U.S. Soccer and the Mexican Football Federation.
Coach Celaya comes to Pflugerville FC from Sporting Kansas City, where he served as the Director of Coaching and Methodology. In this role, Celaya designed all coaching education courses, mentored elite coaches, and created individualized training methods for the sporting city clubs. “I am extremely excited and honored to join the Pflugerville FC family as the Director of Coaching. I look forward to developing and mentoring the coaching staff to provide a special experience for our players. We will prioritize coaching education at Pflugerville FC to create the best learning environment for our future players,” Celaya said.
Before his role with Sporting Kansas City, Celaya was the Director of Coaching Education and Methodology for RISE Soccer Club in Houston, Texas. While at these clubs, Celaya created and implemented the club’s coaching curriculum, playing philosophy, and development models across their programs. He also planned and delivered coaching education programs and mentored the coaching staff on their education pathways. Celaya previously coached at Puma Futbol Club in Kansas and IMG Academy in Florida.
Celaya holds an FMF Pro License, CONCACAF A License, USSF A License, USSF Director of Coaching License, USSF National Youth License, USSF Coach Educator License, and USC Premier Diploma. He is also a coach educator for US Soccer. In addition, Coach Celaya earned his Masters in Business Administration at Louisiana State University and his Bachelors in Business Administration at LSU Shreveport.
PFC Club Doctor
A former Pflugerville High football standout has made a triumphant return to the sidelines for his alma mater.
Back in the mid-2000s, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Todd Walker starred as quarterback for the Panthers. After a dominant four years playing at Pflugerville High, Walker went on to play college football at Texas Tech. His old Panthers football coaches fondly remember him as a standout on and off the field. Nowadays — nearly 17 years after graduating from PHS — he’s working as an orthopedic surgeon at Texas Orthopedics.
Throughout his playing days, Walker sustained several injuries that ultimately inspired him to pursue a career in the medical field.
After his playing career concluded, Walker spent nearly two decades training to become a doctor. He’s now come full circle, working as an orthopedic surgeon in Austin specializing in sports injuries and surgeries.
Last Year, Walker started to volunteer his time to be the Pflugerville Panthers team doctor. This fall he will also volunteer his time to become our very own PFC Club Doctor.
“It’s almost like a dream come true,” Walker said. “You do a lot of traveling for training to do orthopedic surgery, and it’s the first time I really feel back and part of this community.”
PFC Scheduler
Amanda is a CPA with a Master's in Tax Accounting. Wife to Patrick and mother to 17-year-old twins who are seniors, Eli and Luke, and 14-year-old Nathan, who is a freshman. Amanda has five years of soccer scheduling experience and tournament scheduling experience, along with 11 years of being the team manager of her son’s soccer teams. Her husband, Patrick, has years of soccer coaching experience and multiple years of soccer referee assigning and refereeing. His day job is as a programmer. All three of their boys are certified referees, and all three played soccer for many years. Eli is the only one still playing and is pursuing D1 college soccer after he graduates in 2024.
Business Manager
Hanna manages the club’s everyday business along with coaching PFC Select & Academy teams. You can also find Hanna on the pitch showcasing her playing skills as a Team Captain for Austin Rise FC from the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Hanna also previously played for FC Austin Elite in the United Women’s Soccer (UWS) League and was the team captain the Southwestern Women’s Soccer team. While in college, she was honored as Defensive Player of the Week three times and First Team All-Conference in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). She graduated from Southwestern University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Studio Art with a minor in Exercise and Sport Studies.
Business Manager
Hanna manages the club’s everyday business along with coaching PFC Select & Academy teams. You can also find Hanna on the pitch showcasing her playing skills as a Team Captain for Austin Rise FC from the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Hanna also previously played for FC Austin Elite in the United Women’s Soccer (UWS) League and was the team captain the Southwestern Women’s Soccer team. While in college, she was honored as Defensive Player of the Week three times and First Team All-Conference in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). She graduated from Southwestern University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Studio Art with a minor in Exercise and Sport Studies.
Courtney has played soccer for 38 years and coached for 8. He currently holds his Class D license. He coached select (U14 boys) as well as for Young Olmpian’s in Arizona. Courtney trained with the US National team coaches and keepers. He was an Arizona All State Keeper and played at Scottsdale Community College. In addition Courtney played semi pro for The Verde Valley Rough Riders.
I began my coaching career in Spring of 2015 under PAYSL D3 program for my son’s team. I ended up getting my USSF D-License in 2018 after taking over my son’s Select team. I’ve since coached several 9v9 and 11v11 teams. I currently serve on the PAYSL Board as EVP of Select and VP of Education and Training as well as College Mentor and NCSA Liaison. I’ve also held VP of Select boys for 3 years. My coaching style is very tactical, I love analyzing the game and finding the chess moves to beat another team or coach. I love to teach soccer IQ.
I love our club and the pfamilies we get to meet and join in on their soccer journey together as well as offer players the best opportunity to grow and develop playing right here in our great city of Pflugerville.
Bolivian American coach with experience playing in North and South America. I have over 15 years of playing experience playing from recreational to semi-professional/college level. Over two years of coaching experience working with youth programs as well as professional environments. My vision for playing the sport is a patient team-oriented playing style that emphasizes teamwork, selflessness, and decision making. I love coaching and seeing the developments that occur in players. My goal is to continue developing and learning within the game, and to eventually win the Champions League.
Niko has coached at PFC since 2013 (9 years of experience). Coached at Rec, Academy, and Select Levels. Niko holds a USSF Grassroots License (7v7, 9v9, 11v11). He is NESTA/PFT Certified (National Trainers License) since 2002 (20 years of experience). Niko’s coaching philosophy focuses on elite player development through all technical/tactical soccer skills while maintaining a sharp and precise direction to improve strength, conditioning, and agility programs for all kids.
Amadou is an auditor and a former professional soccer player who has always shared his time and experience with young soccer players. Growing up in Mauritania he played for the Mauritanian national soccer teams at all youth and senior level before moving to the United States in 1999. He holds a coaching license for 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11. Amadou began coaching at the youth level in Austin in 2007 with other clubs and joined PAYSL in 2017. He has coached at the Rec, Academy, and now at the Select level. He is a passionate coach whose philosophy is centered on player development in an educational and positive environment.
Kevin is coaching his second season with PFC. He coached for the summer Pfutsal program. Kevin holds a USSF E license and is currently working on D license. Kevin grew up playing Soccer in the Ohio area.
I began coaching with PAYSL in January 2022 shortly after we enrolled my son in the Pflugerville FC Academy, working with the 2015 boys team, and now I am co-head coach of the 2016 boys Red and White teams. I first coached in 2015 with the Columbus Express Soccer club when I lived in Indiana, and coached U-8 teams for about a year and a half. I obtained my US Soccer E & F licenses during that period. Since resuming coaching this year, I have gone back to complete my intro to grassroots coaching and 4v4 courses. I am very passionate about soccer/football (ardent Arsenal fan) and I aim to pass that passion to the kids while ensuring they improve both individually and as a team.
Howdy! Career as a coach includes volleyball, golf and track at the middle school level, and girls basketball at the high school level. I have a combined 9 years of coaching experience; with the 3v3, 4v4, 7v7 & 9v9 levels coaching my 2 daughters who are in PFC. I currently hold USSF licenses in 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 and D license.
I’m excited to join PFC having 2 of my children in the program. I have 7 years of coaching experience dealing with recreational teams, club teams as well as JV and Varsity Soccer/Baseball. I also have 6 years of administration experience being a Board Member, Coach Administrator and creating curriculums for ages 5 through 15 as well as training all coaches on an annual basis. USSF Licensed.
