Jaime Rodriguez, an assistant coach for South Salem's boys team since 2019, takes over the girls team this season.

Six years removed from a highly successful run as West Salem's girls soccer coach, Jaime Rodriguez is getting back in the game.

Rodriguez has taken over as the girls coach at South Salem, where he graduated in 1992 and has served as a boys assistant coach for the past five seasons. Athletic director Brian Armstrong presented the opportunity to Rodriguez when the position opened.

“I didn't want to do it for one year and then be done with it, so I told Brian that I'd take some time to think about it,” Rodriguez said. “It really appealed to me to come back to South. I have a lot of fond memories on the boys side. I've worked with Brian Armstrong. So it seems like a good fit.”

Rodriguez went 90-30-8 in eight seasons as the coach at West Salem (2011-18). The Titans won at least a share of the conference title five times and made the 6A playoffs every year, including a semifinal run in 2014.

“It was great. Just an amazing time,” he said.

He stepped down as West Salem's coach after the 2018 season to follow the senior year of his daughter, Brissia, who played at Union of Vancouver.

“When I left West, I felt like my contribution to soccer, coaching-wise, was sufficient, and I wasn't still wanting to do it,” Rodriguez said. “But this opportunity came up, and it lit a fire under me, I guess.”

He is looking to carry his success at West Salem over to South Salem.

“I hope that it will translate over to me being able to connect with the kids and making a positive impact,” he said.

Rodriguez has assisted South Salem boys coach Eric Johansen since 2019, balancing coaching with his job at the Oregon State Penitentiary. South Salem's boys finished first or second in the Mountain Valley Conference in each of the last five seasons.

“I really work well with Eric,” Rodriguez said. “He's allowed me to be as much a part of the program as I want. I respect him a lot, so it's been a great run.”

Rodriguez said he envisioned taking over for Johansen at some point before the South Salem girls job became available.

“I felt like I was going to coach for South,” he said. “This has been my community. I was born here.”

Rodriguez succeeds Tillerman Kroon, who compiled a 49-37-12 record in eight seasons. The Saxons went 11-4 in 2022 – their most wins in eight years – but went 2-6-4 last season, the fewest wins since the program started in 1979.

South Salem held opponents to 20 goals last season but had difficulty finding the net, scoring 10 goals. Rodriguez has been getting acquainted with the players during summer training sessions.

“The talent range goes from really, really good – I saw five or six that were really, really talented, and I could tell they were club players, and they had experience – and then there were the beginners,” he said. “I think we do have a few players who can make a difference.”

Rodriguez no longer coaches club soccer. He formerly coached in the Capital Futbol Club, which predominantly fed the West Salem and South Salem programs.

Change at Woodburn

For the first time since 2016, Woodburn's powerhouse boys team will start the season under a head coach other than Leroy Sanchez.

Sanchez, who went 79-20-11 with three state championships in eight seasons, stepped down earlier this year. He has been replaced by Jorge Flores, an assistant the last two seasons.

Sanchez joined the program in 2013 as assistant head coach to Stan Baker. In Baker's final season in 2016, the Bulldogs started a run of four consecutive state titles, the first two in 5A and the last two in 4A.

“I gave Woodburn a heck of a run. It's definitely been a blessing,” said Sanchez, a social worker at the high school, where he graduated in 2002.

Sanchez said he stepped down to spend more time with his sons, Thiago, 10, and Lyssandro, 7. They attend a charter school in the Woodburn district and play in the Capital Futbol Club.

First-round playoff losses the last two seasons also were a contributing factor in his decision. Last season, Woodburn went 9-4-2 overall, 5-2-1 in the 5A Mid-Willamette Conference.

“That didn't sit well with me, whatever combination of things or variables that made that happen,” Sanchez said. “I figured I've also got to be humble enough to say that something's got to change. It may not only be the best for me and my family, but it might be the best for the program.”

Flores played at Woodburn, graduating in 2011, before a college career at Chemeketa Community College and Corban University. He is a Spanish teacher at Woodburn.

“He's part of the community,” Sanchez said. “He's got his kids here, his family here. He's super inspired to get these kids not only playing, but continuing the college route, and seeing a lot more of these kids playing college.

“He brings a wealth of experience. He told me he was ready to take on that move. He knows exactly what Woodburn soccer is all about.”

Falcons flying south

Looking for a different challenge for his team, La Salle Prep boys coach Monty Hawkins thought outside the box to schedule a season-opening road trip.

The Falcons will travel to Henderson, Nev., to take on both of Nevada's big-school state finalists from last season. They will play reigning state champion Coronado on Aug. 31 and Palo Verde on Sept. 2.

Playing out of state is unusual for most Oregon teams considering neighboring states Washington and California play their seasons in the spring and winter, respectively.

“I don't know of anybody on the boys side that travels out of state for soccer,” Hawkins said. “I go, 'You know what, let's do something that puts a little more value, something to look forward to in a high school season in a meaningful way.'”

Hawkins contacted Coronado coach Dustin Barton to gauge his interest.

“Their coach was tremendously receptive,” Hawkins said. “He said, 'We'd love to play.' He's making it an event. It all came together. We're going to give it a try.”

La Salle Prep, the 5A champion in 2021, made the semifinals the last two seasons. The Falcons will have their hands full with Coronado, which had a sophomore-dominated team last season.

“I knew they were tough, but they might be a class that we're not used to playing,” Hawkins said. “It's going to be a really good test.”

La Salle Prep will play varsity and JV games against Coronado and Palo Verde. The varsity games will start at 9 a.m. to avoid the desert heat.

The Falcons' rigorous nonleague schedule also has top 6A teams Lakeridge, West Linn, South Salem, Glencoe and Jesuit.