About TALO
Our Services
All services at TALO are designed to help our members become better athletes, improve their longevity, and provide education on how to become a high performer.
Our team works to integrate our skills, and communicate from each of our perspectives to create the most successful performance development strategy for each member.
Together, we are much more than the sum of our parts.
Our Team
Garga Caserta, Founder
Garga has been a Strength & Conditioning Coach for nearly 15 years, including currently with the US Women’s National Soccer Team and previously five years as the Performance Manager for the Portland Thorns FC (NWSL). He also worked as a Performance Specialist for EXOS at the adidas America Headquarters, and as a consultant for club and collegiate soccer programs.
Garga founded TALO (formerly GC Strength Team) in 2015 and has continually developed the training system that supports World Cup and Olympic Athletes, as well as adult and youth athletes who want to drive their productivity and performance to higher levels.
Reach him at garga@teamtalo.com.
Alyssa Bakkensen
Lead Performance Coach - TALO East
Alyssa joined the TALO team in 2022 shortly after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Linfield University.
Before fully joining the team, she excelled during an internship period, which made it clear she would be a valuable addition to the team.
Alyssa will support the coaching staff during training blocks, and will lead research efforts to further develop the female specific programming strategies within TALO methodologies.
Contact: alyssa@teamtalo.com.
Liz Calderon
Lead Performance Coach - TALO West
As a Lead Performance Coach, Liz brings over 8 years of fitness and coaching experience after graduating from San Francisco State University with her Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology. To continue her education she is currently working on her CSCS. She was a collegiate athlete who played soccer but since then has developed a love for distance running after completing 3 LA marathons.
Originally from Southern California, Liz’s passion for exercise science developed in high school during her own experience with an ACL tear where she too had to endure the rehabilitation process of working to return to her sport of soccer.
When she’s not in the gym you can find her exploring new types of food and breweries, running the Portland waterfront or going fishing with her husband and dog Remi.
Contact: liz@teamtalo.com
Luke graduated with a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Bond University in 2021, after completing his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science at Oregon State University in 2017.
He was an intern at OSU Strength & Conditioning department and has experience working with professional teams in the AFL, Rugby Union, and Soccer leagues.
Luke will be in charge of rehab and return-to-play strategies at TALO, working closely with Garga and the rest of the Performance Staff to ensure athletes receive a complete process from the post-surgical to the return to games phases.
Contact: luke@teamtalo.com
Luke Munizza
Director of Rehab & Performance
Locations
TALO East, NE Portland, at Rose City Futsal - EAST
Our East Side facility is located within Rose City Futsal East. We have over 4,500 square feet dedicated to our performance programming with additional access to the RCF court facilities during limited hours.
5010 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR 97213
TALO West, Tigard, adjacent to Rose City Futsal West
Our West Side facility is located within Rose City Futsal West. We have 8,000 square feet of training space, 4 full strength and conditioning stations, and a high quality turf area for speed and agility work.
10831 SW Cascade Ave, Tigard, OR 97223