Finkelstein Returns to Alma Mater to Serve as Goalkeeper Coach for Women's Soccer Program
2/21/2025 5:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Brett Finkelstein, a goalkeeper on the Mustang men’s soccer team from 2009-13, has been named the goalkeeper coach for the Cal Poly women’s soccer program, first-year head coach Bernardo Silva recently announced.
I'm extremely excited to be back at a place that means so much to me.Brett Finkelstein, Cal Poly Women's Soccer Goalkeeper Coach
Finkelstein brings over a decade of experience coaching goalkeepers to the Mustangs and served as a goalkeeper trainer for the Cal Poly men’s soccer program during the 2014 season after wrapping up his playing career.
"I'm extremely excited to be back at a place that means so much to me,” he said. “I believe in the vision Bernardo has for this program and I couldn't be coming into a more philosophically aligned coaching staff. I can't thank Bernardo enough for providing me with this opportunity to give back to my alma mater and be part of Cal Poly 2.0.”
While Finkelstein was a player on the Cal Poly men’s team, Silva served as an assistant coach on the staff during the 2012 season. After that time together, Silva and Finkelstein stayed in touch and now they are reunited at a place they both care deeply about.
"I’m so excited to be able announce the hiring of Brett Finkelstein as our goalkeeper coach,” Silva said. “My first stint as an assistant at Cal Poly began on the men's side and Fink was a goalkeeper in the program at that time. Ever since that time, I have had a tremendous amount of respect for Fink's character, work ethic and how he handles himself in player-coach interactions. During my interview process, it became clear the traits that we needed to add to our goalkeeper coaching position and Fink checks all those boxes. His experience and passion for goalkeeping, his ties to Cal Poly as an alumni, and the trust and connection already built between the two of us makes this a fantastic fit. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to bring in a top man and professional like Fink to work with our goalkeeper union."
Since graduating from Cal Poly in 2014 with his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Finkelstein has stayed closely connected to the game he loves, training and mentoring countless goalkeepers that have gone on to play at the collegiate level.
“This is my passion,” Finkelstein said. “I think the most enjoyable part for me is the impact I can have on helping athletes develop not only on the pitch, but off of it as well, and giving them the tools to excel in life beyond soccer.”
I couldn't pass up the opportunity to bring in a top man and professional like Fink to work with our goalkeeper union.Bernardo Silva, Cal Poly Women's Soccer Head Coach
Following his lone season training the goalkeepers for the Cal Poly men’s program, Finkelstein served as the Director of Goalkeeping at San Clemente United Soccer Club for a period of time before moving to Colorado for several years. There, he got connected with Chris Sharpe, who is the Director of Goalkeeping for the Colorado Rapids Academy and serves as the goalkeeper coach for the Rapids’ MLS team. Sharpe hired him as the director of coaching for the Colorado Rapids’ North Region, where Finkelstein oversaw roughly 50 goalkeepers in the academy from fourth grade up to high school age.
After his time with the Rapids, Finkelstein served as the Director of Soccer Operations for ALBION SC Boulder County, formerly Boulder County United, before taking on his most recent role as the goalkeeper coach for the Clovis Community College men’s soccer team.
Finkelstein, who currently resides in Fresno with his wife and family, said he felt a rush of emotions when Silva reached out and offered him the opportunity to join his staff.
“Honestly, it was perfect timing for everything else that’s going on in my life and for my family,” he said. “It was a no brainer for me to come back and assist my alma mater because I knew based on the time that I’ve spent with Bernardo in the past that this would be a great fit all around.”
Finkelstein said he plans on bringing a professional environment to the Mustangs and replicating in-match scenarios during training to help the Cal Poly goalkeepers always be three to four steps ahead of any opponent they face.
“The more that you can do as a goalkeeper to communicate proactively to stop chances from occurring, the better,” he said. “That preparation will also allow them to be more of the strategy and the eyes of the team on the field.”
Finkelstein said he hopes he can improve the goalkeepers’ technique and soccer IQ to the point where they are able to make fewer and fewer saves.
“Any goal the goalkeepers have is now my goal, and I’m going to push to make that happen by any means necessary,” he said.
It was a no brainer for me to come back and assist my alma mater because I knew based on the time that I’ve spent with Bernardo in the past that this would be a great fit all around.Brett Finkelstein, Cal Poly Women's Soccer Goalkeeper Coach
