A local coach is set to be reinstated by US Club Soccer after serving a one-year suspension.
Sam Tojaga, coaching director of the Erie Admirals Soccer Club and head coach of the Cathedral Prep varsity boys team, was suspended from all US Club Soccer-related activities last September following an incident that occurred in June. His suspension will end Monday, one year from its occurrence.
An unspecified incident happened at the 2022 National Cup XXI Midwest Regional near Chicago. Multiple Erie-area teams ranging from ages 12-18 had traveled to the tournament, which was held June 17-20 at Waukegan Sports Park and Libertyville Township Soccer Complex. The US Club Soccer Discipline Committee during a hearing suspended Tojaga from US Club Soccer and US Soccer Federation-affiliated activities for one year after the incident.
Tojaga’s suspension did not affect his status as head coach of Prep, as he completed his 18th season leading the Ramblers this past fall. Prep went 18-2-1 and reached the PIAA Class 3A semifinals in 2022.
Last year: Erie Admirals Coaching Director Sam Tojaga suspended one year by US Club Soccer
Tojaga declined to comment on the matter, as did a representative from Prep. US Club Soccer could not be reached for comment.
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Contact Jeff Uveino at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: US Club Soccer suspension to end for Admirals, Prep coach Tojaga