SOCCER: New coach, same focus for Legacy

When longtime soccer coach Jose Gomez left Legacy after the 2012 season, many questions suddenly arose regarding the powerful program’s future.

His replacement, Jorge Cobian, believes he has the answers.

Cobian, who coached Western to an undefeated Division I-A Sunset League season last year, hopes to help the Longhorns regain their swagger as they enter their 2013 campaign. He primarily has done it by maintaining the status quo.

“I didn’t want to come in here, change everything and hurt the team,” said Cobian, who worked extensively with Gomez before his departure. “So I sat down with him, and we talked about the team and the players.”

Cobian said the transition has gone smoothly for his new team, even though it still has not gotten over last fall’s stunning first-round playoff elimination.

“When I came here in June, the guys were really excited,” said Cobian, who moved to Legacy to be closer to his home. “They knew they couldn’t do anything about Gomez leaving. What they could do is work hard.”

Though Cobian’s players have bought into his more aggressive offensive game plan, most agree there was a time of uncertainty after Gomez’s departure.

“It was difficult because we got a new coach and a new style,” junior midfielder Luka Skrinjaric said. “But basically it’s the same team, and we’re shooting more, which is better.”

For Cobian, the transition has been less difficult, as his new squad reminds him much of the one he coached for six years at Western.

“It’s pretty much the same demographics,” he said. “And talent-wise, these guys are about the same.”

Indeed, Cobian has been the beneficiary of strong rosters over the years, a fact he does not take for granted.

“I feel lucky because these guys are talented,” Cobian said. “At the same time, I feel the need to try to make the program even better.”

Among the top Legacy players will be Skrinjaric, senior midfielder Skyler Ibarra and senior forward Jaime Ibarra. The squad is loaded with seniors, so Cobian sees the coming months as a golden opportunity to bring back the state crown the Longhorns have come to expect. They won Class 4A titles in 2010 and 2011.

“We’ve got a really strong midfield and a lot of offense,” Cobain said. “We expect to do a lot of shooting.”

The Longhorns (1-2-1) could have used more offense in their first week of play, as they went 1-1-1 in the Southern Nevada Kick-Off Classic, a tournament Cobian had hoped to win. They also suffered a 2-0 loss to Palo Verde on Tuesday.

But several of Cobian’s players predicted the team’s return to power might not occur overnight.

“I think it might take awhile,” Skyler Ibarra said. “It’ll take a couple of games before people start saying that Legacy is back.”

Besides, senior defender Ivan Rodriguez said, the players think a little adversity ultimately will help the team win the late-season games that count the most.

“It helps us play together and push harder,” he said. “It’s helping us keep our cool. Last year’s team had already won state twice, and they were expected to do everything. This year there’s less pressure.”

Cobian might need to make a few small adjustments, but his goals have not changed.

“I’m telling the players to continue doing what they’ve been doing,” he said. “We want to take state.”