FIND OF THE WEEK is made possible by support from Food Finders
March 5, 2025
By Davis Ramage
Long Beach Football Club midfielder Sebastian Rus has endured the ebbs and flows of soccer, but would not change any of it.
As a freshman at Point Loma University in San Diego, Rus suffered a torn ACL in a scrimmage against San Diego State that derailed his collegiate soccer career and changed his life entirely.
A chain of events ensued. He moved back to his hometown of Fountain Valley and transferred to Concordia University Irvine to pursue a degree in kinesiology. It was there that he reconnected with his friend and former teammate at Strikers FC Irvine, LBFC captain Aaron Minkoff, who recruited him to the team. At Concordia, he also met Andre Flores, who would later become his coaching partner at AF Soccer Club.
It was also in Fountain Valley where he started rehabbing at a physical therapy clinic where he now serves as a PT aid.
“I believe everything happens for a reason because you know god has a plan for all of us,” Rus said.
Coaching, Training and a High School Championship
Flores started AFSC three and a half years ago and Rus joined about two years ago. The club offers private training and makes content on its Instagram page, where players can learn helpful tips to improve their fundamentals.
Coaching has become a massive part of Rus’s life as he is now also a coach for the junior varsity and varsity girls soccer teams at Sage Hill High School in Newport Coast. Rus started as a junior varsity coach. When the varsity coach needed an assistant, he asked Rus to help out, and even with his packed schedule, Rus said yes.
The Sage Hill girls varsity defeated La Mirada, 4-3, in a shootout on Saturday to win the CIF Southern Section Division 4 title. The Lightning advanced to the CIF State Championships regionals, where it tied San Diego High School, 2-2, in regulation and advanced by winning the shootout, 4-3. Sage Hill will play in the second round tomorrow.
Rus plays a smaller role on the varsity team but enjoys it as it gives him a chance to step back and enjoy a different experience than he does with the JV team. He enjoys coaching a large group, something he doesn't get to experience at AFSC. He says he has a very inclusive coaching style and tries to get to know his players as best as he can to establish a solid relationship.
“These girls, I mean honestly I couldn't ask for much more,” Rus said. “They listen, they take in all the information, and they execute it to the best of their ability.”
Coaching high school players allows Rus to pass down his knowledge, but he says he also learns a lot from them because he takes what he sees in their practices and translates that into his own games for LBFC.
For the Love of the Game
Rus’s schedule is filled daily with coaching, school, soccer and work, but what helps him get through his long days is living in the moment and enjoying it. Looking too far in advance overwhelms him and does not allow him to enjoy the incredible things he is doing in life.
Built into his schedule are training and games for LBFC, where he says that if it weren't for Minkoff telling him to come out to practice, he would not be still playing. He plays for the love of the game and says that not playing after his injury was hard for him.
“I want to maximize my years and make as many memories with the boys as possible,” Rus said. “If it wasn't for Aaron, I don't think I would be here in the position to say we won [promotion from UPSL Division 1] last year and got into the Premier Division, and now we're looking to potentially win the league.”
Rus comes from a Romanian heritage, and Romanian was his first language. He says that in Romanian culture, soccer isn't a sport; it's a way of life, and he credits his father for developing his love for the game. Every weekend, they would go to his match or watch the professional league on TV at home.
Without soccer, Rus wouldn't be where he is today. His achievements are a direct result of the drive, discipline and passion the sport has instilled in him.
LBFC Home Opener on Saturday
Rus and LBFC kicked off its UPSL Premier season on Saturday with a 1-0 win over San Fernando Valley FC in the SoCal North conference. The team aims to keep its hot start going in its home season opener at 7 p.m. this Saturday, March 8 against Laguna United FC at Cabrillo Jaguar Stadium. Tickets for all home games, including a season Shorepass (buy five games, get one free) can be purchased online or at the gate. You can also stream the game live on YouTube here.
FIND OF THE WEEK is supported by Food Finders, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) food rescue organization with a mission to reduce hunger and improve nutrition in communities in and around Long Beach. Fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to LBFC home games and help the club meet its goal of collecting more than 5,000 pounds this season.
