Sami Ismat is assistant coach for the Men's First Team. He has previously served in soccer operations as a reserve head coach.

When Ismat joined Edgewater Castle FC, he had no coaching experience. He only played for community clubs, never playing under an academy. Originally from Syria, he moved around a lot throughout his teenage life, not having a consistent playing career. Ismat found out about ECFC through connecting with some of his theater friends.

For him, soccer has always been fun, and it connects him with people wherever he moves. Ismat eventually started going to training, and watching the coaches talk to people. He realized that they had the talent for it. He's always had a passion for being a coach, and has a lot of inspiration from watching football management through football measures since the simulator.

Ismat is a person that believes in collaboration, and he brings most of these tactics from his theater and creative arts experience. He says, “You can draw inspiration from anywhere, and it's the people you are working with who make the group.”

Alex Feruson and Carlo Ancelotti are two coaches that Ismat looks up to for their humbleness and understanding. He talked about how players and coaches come from different perspectives and experiences, something he finds important.

This upcoming season, Ismat is very excited to connect with the team and build chemistry. But as it is every season, he faces a learning curve with a new roster. He has spoke about bench players and how to keep them motivated and stay on the team. He says it’s a struggle, but “… every game has a [new] scenario and every person has a function.”

Ismat hopes to bring back some trophies this season after losing in the state cup final the last two years. He is very excited to work with the groups of guys who have all played at different levels. Coming from the women's team to the men's team, he is looking forward to creating strong bonds, and the challenge of creating a group of hungry guys who want to fight to the very end of the season.

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