Colorado State University (Pueblo)
NCAA DII • RMAC
Date: November 10, 2022
Would Recommend
I love the game of soccer. Always have and always will. However, Sierra Cardenas made me hope for the day of my last game. It is so heart breaking and it makes me feel shameful that I let this coach ruin the game for me. I was so over playing for CSUP but more specifically, for her. She’s a terrible coach. THE WORST I have ever had and that’s crazy to think that she was my coach at the highest level I will play. It blows my mind that she still has a job given her completely obvious lack of knowledge about the game. During my time playing soccer at CSUP, Sierra was manipulative, provided false hope, and never had the best intentions for me. Her game is to rip you apart mentally by playing these head games, and then when you’re at your breaking point and speak with her about it, all of the sudden she sees such a fire and “oh, you’ve been doing so well in practices lately.” Blah, blah, blah. She just keeps you hanging on. Since my sophomore year, in Fall 2019, I thought about transferring every day. Not transferring is the one thing I will regret for the rest of my life. She threw away my college career and self-esteem during my time playing under her. Sierra is not a fair coach. I completely understand that college soccer is a different level of play than any freshman ever has played coming in. I completely understand that your spot needs to be earned. What I don’t understand is why she plays obvious favorites and does not give other players a fair look. I never once was given a fair shot. She locks in her favorites from the previous years, and I think, from interactions with parents and families. College soccer is not political, however, Sierra makes it. There has been CLEAR favoritism just because a family had a beautiful home and we stop to have dinner there, or because they are a Pueblo native and have a name in the town. And the very worst part is, is that she calls on those favorites to run the team and make big decisions for her. She doesn’t understand the game well enough to even do her office work. This team fell apart when Pascale went to a different school, because Pascale was responsible for EVERYTHING. Sierra can’t do it. This job is way above her knowledge and pay grade. (Not meaning to be rude, just speaking the truth.) I would really like to see a different coach coach this team. This team has not improved, it’s done the opposite. She just doesn’t have the capability to change it. Practices were never productive-way too much standing around and her speaking. She would hold us to a high standard with showing up early, being prepared, and making sure we had what we needed to be successful that day, and if we didn’t meet that standard, we were running or paying for it some way. She does not hold herself to that same standard. She would a show up late to lifting in the morning with no consequence, we would do the same slow, 14 year old level drills, weekly, because she doesn’t know how to coach or plan a productive practice, and there is no consequence. Please let this be heard. I don’t wish my experience playing soccer at CSUP on anyone…I’ve had to mention these thoughts and concerns to prospective players who have asked me my opinions about the school and soccer, and I’ve no choice but to be honest. She needs to go.