Our Background
Donny Ribaudo
Founder & Coach – Rising Stars Soccer
Donny Ribaudo is the founder and lead trainer at Rising Stars Soccer, bringing over two decades of coaching experience and a proven track record of developing elite-level talent on and off the field. Known for his unwavering commitment to player development, Donny has established himself as one of the most respected names in college soccer through his leadership of the Folsom Lake College Women’s Soccer Program, which he launched in 2013 and has since built into a national powerhouse.
Under Donny’s guidance, Folsom Lake has become one of the premier programs in the country. In just 11 seasons, his teams have claimed seven conference titles, advanced to the Elite Eight seven times, made four Final Four appearances, and won back-to-back CCCAA State Championships in 2023 and 2024. His 2023 championship squad finished ranked No. 2 nationally, and that same year, Donny and his staff were honored as the United Soccer Coaches National Coaching Staff of the Year.
Donny’s teams are recognized not only for their success on the field but also for their excellence in the classroom. Folsom Lake athletes have maintained a 3.0+ GPA every season, earning multiple Scholar Team of the Year honors and producing six Scholar All-Americans and one National Scholar Athlete of the Year.
A strong advocate for holistic development, Donny has successfully transferred over 70 student-athletes to four-year universities, preparing them to thrive academically, athletically, and personally. His coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and respect, and his innovative training methods have produced top talent like Hope Martin-Northrup, the 2024 National Player of the Year.
Before founding Rising Stars Soccer, Donny gained extensive experience at all levels of collegiate soccer. He previously served as an assistant at Chico State, helping lead the program to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2010, and spent one season as head coach at Otero College, where he won a Region IX Conference Championship and earned a Top 15 national ranking.
Donny holds a Premier Diploma from the United Soccer Coaches (NSCAA) and earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Kinesiology from California State University, Chico, with an emphasis in Adaptive Physical Education.
With a career defined by championship success, academic integrity, and player-first coaching, Donny Ribaudo continues to impact the next generation through Rising Stars Soccer—where aspiring athletes receive elite-level training grounded in values, preparation, and performance.
Pat Powers
Founder & Coach – Rising Stars Soccer
Coach Pat Powers brings over 20 years of competitive coaching experience to Rising Stars Soccer, with a deep background in youth and high school soccer throughout the Sacramento area. Widely respected for his innovative approach to attacking play and goal-scoring development, Pat is recognized as both a talented teacher and a passionate mentor dedicated to developing the next generation of soccer talent.
Currently serving as the Head Coach of youth teams and Technical Finishing Program Leader for Folsom Lake Surf, Coach Powers has been instrumental in helping young players sharpen their technical ability and develop a competitive edge. He specializes in coaching forwards and goal-scoring techniques, with a strong focus on creating dynamic, confident attacking players.
In addition to his extensive work at the youth level, Pat is an integral member of the Folsom Lake College Women’s Soccer coaching staff, where he helped lead the program to back-to-back 3C2A State Championships in 2023 and 2024. His contribution to the Falcons’ national success earned him a place on the United Soccer Coaches National Coaching Staff of the Year—a testament to his skill, vision, and commitment to player development.
Coach Powers brings personal playing experience to his coaching philosophy, having competed at the collegiate level for California State University, Sacramento and American River College. At ARC, he left a lasting legacy as the all-time leading goal scorer, tallying 29 goals across the 1999 and 2002 seasons.
Pat is passionate about more than just technical skill—he is deeply committed to mentoring young athletes, helping them develop leadership qualities, confidence, and a winning mindset both on and off the field. His coaching goes beyond drills and tactics to instill resilience, discipline, and character in every player he works with.
Coach Powers holds an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and plans to complete his USSF C License and Bachelor’s degree as he continues to advance his coaching career at the collegiate level.
With a unique blend of elite player development, innovative training methods, and heartfelt mentorship, Pat Powers plays a vital role in shaping the future of Rising Stars Soccer and the young athletes it serves.
Russ Alvarez
Coach – Rising Stars Soccer
Russ is a dedicated and experienced soccer coach based in Folsom, California. With over 10 years of youth coaching experience and a U.S. Soccer C License, he specializes in private and small-group soccer training for players of all ages and skill levels. With a goal to help young athletes not only improve their technical ability, but also gain confidence, grow their love for the game, and reach their full potential on and off the field.
Background includes four years of playing college soccer, followed by a year of coaching at the collegiate level at Folsom Lake College. With a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in competitive environments, and bring that same level of focus and professionalism. Working with a wide range of players—from beginners to those preparing for high-level club, high school, and college teams.
As an active and long-standing member of the Folsom soccer community, and taking great pride in helping local athletes grow and succeed. His coaching approach is always player-centered with training sessions that are tailored to each individual’s goals, whether it’s mastering the basics, preparing for a tryout, or becoming more confident during games. Parents can expect a safe, encouraging environment where effort is celebrated, mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, and communication is always open.
"I believe in building a strong foundation through quality repetition, clear instruction, and a focus on both physical and mental development. While technique and game understanding are central to my training, I also emphasize the importance of attitude, discipline, and a positive mindset—traits that serve players well in all areas of life."
