Pillar of Tri-Cities soccer community remembered for ‘always lending a hand’

Lifelong farmworker who coached kids in Pasco dies at age 64

By: Larissa Babiak

Outlets: Tri-City Herald

Published: January 19, 2026

Words: 349

Last Updated: 5 days, 14 hours ago

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A pillar of the Tri-Cities soccer community has died. Nery Mateo helped children develop a lifelong love for soccer, coaching children ages 6-10 in indoor and outdoor soccer for the YMCA and Three Rivers Soccer Club.

He managed to find the time to coach and help others maintain their sobriety, despite long hours as a field worker. He worked year round at FirstFruits Farms in Prescott, Wash., east of Pasco. Mateo woke up at 3 …

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