San Jose State University

"Yes, she has won championships, but those results come at a cost. Her success is built on constantly cycling through athletes rather than developing them. Players who do not fit her mold are pushed out, which makes winning look good on paper while many suffer the consequences. My experience was the following. She regularly spoke negatively about me to her captains and favored players, this usually happened during their meetings with her when discussing game strategy. Many of these players, whom were my friends, later relayed those comments back to me. It was the beginning of a very hostile environment for me. She used my scholarship as leverage once. When I asked to attend a family wedding, months in advance, during the OFF (spring) season, she implied that missing a single scrimmage or practice could jeopardize my scholarship as an athlete the following year. Later that same semester, she canceled practices and scrimmages before that date even came because she had decided to end the season earlier than planned. By that point, it was too late for me to attend the wedding due to international travel and the cost of tickets. I missed the wedding out of fear she would follow through on her threat. My entire family lives in another country, and I did not get to see them that year as a direct result of this situation. During that same semester, one of her starting players attended a wedding with no consequences or threats, Sonia was also let know of this player’s plans only a couple of days before it happened. She frequently belittled me in front of the team, yet in private meetings she only gave positive feedback. At the beginning I assumed the negative comments were just her reaction to frustrating moments in the games or practices. I addressed this in my final meeting with her and explained that I stopped scheduling additional one on one meetings because they never provided meaningful constructive feedback, even though I was seeking guidance beyond what was required in order to improve. Her response was that I should have continued meeting with her until I eventually got the feedback I was looking for- ?? Our final meeting was the only time she was honest about how she truly viewed me. She essentially told me I was a bad player and mentally weak. That I was using my personal struggles as excuses. Let’s keep in mind that she consistently voiced that she wanted the team to confide in her and that she wanted to be a means of support for us. I tried to talk to her about my family problems, as did many others, some of who she had apparently found empathy for. Some people, including myself, were not that lucky. The best way I can describe her dismissal of me after opening up to her is that she didn’t believe what I was telling her. Additionally, she told me there was a lot I needed to improve on, another thing she didn’t bother to tell me until my last one on one of the year. She then told me, with who she was bringing in next year, I had no chance of playing. She said she would help me transfer if I wanted to (I hadn’t even brought up transferring yet), while making it clear she would have tell other coaches “the truth” about me. It seemed more like a threat than support which gave me major anxiety during the whole transfer process. At the end of that meeting she wiped her hands clean and said the position I am in is consequence of my actions and my actions only. To not try and put anything on her as all she has done was try and support me. - I hadn’t said anything about her being at fault for this situation. This was only part of what I experienced playing under her. Confusion, insecurity, hostility, favoritism, manipulation. She’s the type of coach to kick you while you’re down, make you feel like you don’t matter. She made me feel like I wasn’t good enough to play at a collegiate level. Thankfully I got great offers after entering the portal and committed to a new school less than 2 weeks later. I did this WITHOUT recent highlight videos because Sonia changed and then couldn’t remember the password to our shared team YouTube account we kept them on. No athlete should be treated this way by their coach. Winning does not excuse intimidation, favoritism, or psychological manipulation. It’s been years now, and I still remember my experience under her leadership being harmful. It is concerning that she continues to be placed in positions where she can repeat this behavior. She has worked at three schools since 2018. Her focus is on building her resume rather than investing in athletes or programs. The schools that continue to hire her enable that behavior."

"She never holds herself accountable, only steals credit. Instead of coaching and developing, she cuts players. She says once she brings in her own recruits, SJSU will do better. Well, she cut even her own recruits after one semester. Don't believe a word she says. She lies even to herself and is the opposite of everything you want in a leader. And on top of all the mental and emotional damage she causes, she doesn't know soccer. Just listen to her post game interviews, full of soccer word salad nonsense. "

"Passionate and motivational. San Jose State Soccer will only grow. I watch Coach’s career over the years and she builds great programs. She is very knowledgeable, honest and very competitive. She develops players and once she brings her own recruits in the program will improve immediately. Excited to watch her team play next season. Winning mentality. "

"Coach is honest and direct very knowledgeable of the game. Cares about the players. Highly competitive and motivated to support player’s growth. Looking forward to the growth of the program at San Jose State"

"Constantly lying to players, plays favorites, and does not seem to care about her players especially if she “doesn’t like you”. Would not recommend. Kills players confidence. "