Girls soccer at Ballard High School will take on a new look when it starts practicing in the fall under the leadership of new coach Val Seid.

When former coach Jim Harvey resigned this spring, Seid was busy as an assistant with the boys soccer program.

Seid went to the final four in NCAA men's soccer as a freshman at UCLA (University of California Los Angeles). His next stop was San Jose State, where his teams routinely made the NCAA tournament.

He has been playing soccer since the age of six. Growing up in Southern California, Seid said the game of soccer is huge there.

He has coached at Cleveland High School and at Bellevue High School on the eastside. This coaching resume also includes his coaching many club teams and a recreational program on Beacon Hill.

Like any new coach, Seid is looking forward to his new position.

He is looking forward to bringing his style of soccer to Ballard that he calls "possession ball."

"I like to have a slow build up rather than a quick attack. Make the defense work so they get tired and we're not," said Seid.

In the last four seasons, Ballard has struggled to keep up with its KingCo opponents. The team improved for three years until a drop-off last season.

Seid is interested in the program for the long haul.

"For me it's a great thing to build the program under my direction. I want to change what was happening from last year and get it back on track," he said.

Seid will meet with the players this week. He says he wants to gain the players respect for him as a coach and for his system.

"Once I get that it's easier to coach the team. It takes a lot of work and dedication," said Seid.

Soccer is an evolving sport in the U.S. that is becoming more competitive with the rest of the world. "So interest now is great in high school and club soccer. Good coaches coming in have helped," said Seid.

Playing year-round is critical. The top eastside schools have players in the Issaquah, Eastside FC and Cross Fire clubs.

About half of the Ballard girls play year-round and Seid said that has to change. "If girls only play two months, it won't help the program," he said.

A summer camp will be held in July. "I'll bring in some special guest coaches. It will let me see the girls and get them to see my style of play," said Seid.

Ballard will play some practice games against Bellevue High School.

"I want to bring back the enjoyment of the game. They get better if they enjoy it," said Seid.