Meet The Coaches

Coach Ed was born and raised in Brazil, a place that lives and breathes soccer. He majored in Electrical Engineering and played soccer his whole life, including in high school and college. His passion for soccer and all the benefits that the sport has brought into his life are beyond words. He is looking forward to positively impacting children, parents, coaches and the community, pursuing excellence in every action and decision. He has 3 children which are his inspiration to pursue this career.

Coach Sergio was born in Bogotá, Colombia and has been playing soccer both recreationally and competitively for as long as he can remember. Growing up in the bustling city, he would play anywhere he could find. He was overjoyed to discover the large, lush fields suburban Orlando had to offer when he moved to the U.S. at the age of seven. Sergio’s 5+ years of experience working as an entertainer and photographer has harnessed his joy of working alongside children. He cannot stress enough how rewarding it is every day not only to teach his favorite sport, but to also help kids grow and have an actively positive impact on the community.

Coach Elise was born and raised in Buffalo, New York where her passion for the game of soccer began. At the age of 5 years old, her mother enrolled her in a youth soccer program and little Elise fell in LOVE with being on a “team” with all her new friends and an awesome coach to help teach her what soccer was really all about, having FUN! But, just 10 years later, at age 15, she got her first job coaching soccer for that very same recreation center. Throughout the years of her coaching career, Coach Elise, has had the amazing opportunity to share her passion for how the game of soccer can positively impact the lives of children and their communities. She hopes to inspire kids to pursue the sport that has taught her so much throughout her own life. She brings 5 years of experience coaching at Soccer Shots in Maryland.

Coach Amy was born in Boston, Massachusetts where her passion for soccer began at a young age, helping her dad coach other kids at his sports camp! She has always loved sports from gymnastics running to soccer, Coach Amy has always loved to be active. After graduating high school, Coach Amy moved abroad to work as a nanny. She spent 4 years traveling around Europe working with different families. She is currently working towards a Bachelors Degree to become an elementary school PE teacher!

Coach Matt was born in Derby, England and moved over to Florida at 9 years old. Coaching has been his passion since he was 24 years old. It’s all he has been doing since then. He loves introducing this beautiful game to the children! Coach Matt holds a USSF D license. He attends Lake Sumter State Collage for his associates degree, and Lakeside Church in Oakland and he hopes to make a lasting impact within your community.

Coach Jan was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and coming from a military family, has moved pretty much everywhere. He recently graduated from Clarks Summit University, where he was also a part of the men’s soccer team. Jan will be furthering his education at the University of South Florida to receive his doctorate in physical therapy. His desire to serve people translates directly onto the field, as he loves coaching kids and inspiring them to be better versions of themselves everyday.

Coach Justin, born and raised in Orlando, grew up in a large Puerto Rican family where soccer is everything. Some of his earliest memories involve large family gatherings and playing soccer all day long. Having spent almost a decade as an actor for Disney’s live entertainment he has traveled from Orlando to LA to Shanghai and everything in between performing for children and families of all kinds. Coach Justin is excited to bring his creative energy to every lesson so that every session on Soccer Island is fun and inspirational.

Coach Suf is a first generation American who was born in San Francisco, California. He played soccer for as long as he could remember, from recreational leagues to competitive levels to international tournaments. Sufian has come to realize how the values he took from playing soccer has shaped him into a community leader, and wants to pass the knowledge on to the next generation of youth players. He is looking forward to positively impacting your family on your journey through soccer.

Coach Alyssa was born in Chesterfield, Michigan. Alyssa attended Muskingum University and has a bachelors degree in early childhood education. She moved to Florida to start off her teaching career, and is a first grade teacher in Lake Alfred Florida. Alyssa has played multiple sports her whole life. She decided to start coaching because she wanted to be more a part of the community and to work with kids!! She wants her kids to look back later in life and remember the fun/educational times at Soccer Shots!

Coach Myla was born in Karachi, Pakistan where she spent most of her childhood playing different sports. She served as her high-school’s Sports Chairperson and throw-ball team captain which gave her the ambition to create a future career in sports. She moved to Gainesville, Florida 17 years ago and was a member of two competitive dance teams at the University of Florida. Experiencing life in the swamp with the Florida Gators and Tim Tebow’s glory days further ignited her passion to make a positive impact in people’s lives through sports and physical activity. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She previously worked in inclusive behavioral therapy for children, and also served as a volunteer for the 2022 Special Olympics USA GAMES. She absolutely adores children and has a strong desire to bring joy, love and positivity to each person she meets, and this purpose is fulfilled through each child’s happy face on Soccer Island every day.

Coach Nicolas was born in Cali, Colombia. He has experience with soccer and has been playing since his early childhood. Growing up he developed a passion for the sport, as he watched any professional league that he could find scrolling through TV channels. Coach Nicolas knows the hard work and dedication that is put into shaping a professional soccer career, and he is motivated to form future stars, teaching them the important aspects of the sport, such as: Teamwork, sportsmanship, and core values. Aspects that will also shape great members of our society. His goal is to have a long-standing impact in our community, and to one day see his pupils become successful individuals, capable of accomplishing all their goals.

Coach Jacob was born and raised all throughout Florida and I has roots from Puerto Rico. Coach Jacob is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Central Florida. He fell in love with the sport after watching all types of soccer games with his dad who also recently got interested in the beautiful sport of soccer. Coach Jacob loves to work with younger children and be able to influence their soccer skills as well as socialization, communication, exercise and increase their interests and knowledge in the sport of soccer.

Coach Jorge was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He has been playing Soccer since he was 11 years old both competitively and recreationally. He started coaching the sport as young as 18. Coach Jorge moved to Orlando pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Central Florida where he discovered his love for languages and working helping others while working at Disney as well. Recently, as of 2023, he has graduated law school and is now working on passing the Florida State BAR to be a Practicing Attorney. He has found soccer to be more than a hobby in his life and is excited to teach and pass down his knowledge of the sport to children and the community.

Coach Jason, a father of three, was born and raised in Bartow, Florida and has been playing soccer since he was in high school. He loves working with kids and making a positive impact in their lives. This season you may catch him pretending to be his favorite animal, a lion! He says lions are his favorite animal because they enjoy relaxing and are laid back, but can show strength, confidence, and be brave! Coach Jason is excited to leave a lasting impression on the kids he teaches and bring his patience and kindness to every session on Soccer Island!

*COMING SOON*

Coach Jesse was born in Denver, Colorado. After growing up in Colorado and Michigan, he spent 10 years in the Marines, before moving to Florida in 2018. He started playing soccer regularly at the beginning of high school and hasn’t stopped playing since. Coach Jesse has always had a passion for teaching and mentoring. He credits Soccer Shots with allowing him the unique opportunity to play soccer, stay active, and do so while making a lasting impression teaching the youth.