The Guam National Team is not a powerhouse, but they are in their best era. Currently ranked 146th in the World the island nation is preparing for the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship Round 2. They recently selected current Tacoma Stars/Sounders U23s General Manager and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky as their interim head coach.

Sawatzky has previously led the Sounders Academy and Thomas Jefferson High School (he’s an alumni). Darren played professional soccer for wide swath of the American soccer pyramid, both indoor and outdoor, to include several years in MLS and as a Sounder in USL.

Guam’s team is made up of a players who mostly play in the US lower divisions, but their biggest name is LA Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza. Other recognizable talents are former Sounder Doug Herrick, Kitsap Pumas forward Tye Perdido and former New England Revolution winger Ryan Guy.

Their next match is against Chinese Taipei on Nov. 4. They will also play Hong Kong and North Korea in the EAFF E-1 second round. The winner advances to the Final with China, Japan and South Korea.

Darren will remain in his roles with the Stars/U23s. Tacoma’s schedule will be released soon.

The Tacoma Stars press release follows;