Meet The Coaches

Hailing from El Salvador, Coach Juan moved to Houston when he was two years old. Needless to say, soccer is in his blood. Juan received his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at the University of Houston and is now pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at Houston Baptist University. Coach Juan began his career at Soccer Shots Houston as an intern and grew quickly, eventually leading the coaching team in his role as Director of Coaching. After five years in Houston, Juan was elevated to serve as the Executive Director of Soccer Shots Phoenix, where he plans to continue impacting children through soccer and leading a new team of coaches. Off the field, Coach Juan can be found traveling the world and seeking new adventurers until his heart’s content.

Coach Elliott grew up in San Francisco, California with his older brother and two cats! He began playing soccer at the early age for the local youth soccer club and has loved the game ever since. Coach Elliott is working on his bachelor’s degree in sports management at Arizona State University and plans to one day become a sports agent. On his spare time Coach Elliott enjoys working out, snowboarding, playing basketball or exploring another part of the world. He hopes to one day visit all seven wonders of the world!

Coach Samantha grew up in California with her older brother and three dogs. Coach Samantha has graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in sports management. She has played soccer from a young age and has previous coaching experience with Soccer Shots Henderson! She is a big fan on the U.S. Woman’s national team and hopes to one day work for a professional sports team!

Coach Johny is new to Phoenix and joins us all the way from California! Johny received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science at California State University and plans to attend graduate school soon. Coach Johny has played soccer since he was three years old and played all the way to college level. Off the field, Coach Johny can be found playing basketball, running, working out, or playing video games.

Coach Amaia grew up in Boise, Idaho and moved to Arizona to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University. She played soccer for 16 years and continues to play recreationally to this day. After graduating she plans to be foreign corespondent and hopes to one day go skydiving! When she is not on Soccer Island you can fin Coach Amaia reading or writing!

Coach Andrew grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and attended Coconino Community College. He grew up playing soccer in the Northwest Valley where he fell in love with the sport ever since! His favorite soccer team is Phoenix Rising FC and loves to follow other amateur soccer teams all over the nation. When coach Andrew is off Soccer Island you may find him watching soccer, playing with his dog Paisley, or going to local events like first Friday or farmers markets. He hopes to one day visit Europe to watch lower league soccer games!

Coach Christian was born in Obregon, Sonora, Mexico! He fell in love with the game from a very young age and eventually took this talent to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating with a bachelor’s in business administration he decided to move back to Phoenix, Arizona. He is a big fan of AS Roma and hopes to one day visit Italy! When he is not on Soccer Island you can find him at the gym, playing soccer, or playing FIFA!

Coach Ashlynn was born in Oklahoma but was raised most of her life here in Phoenix, Arizona! She’s currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University. Coach Ashlynn started her soccer coaching career early on and had the opportunity to play college ball. She loves to go hiking, swimming, or doing photography! She hopes to one day get a job in the geography field and plans to visit Australia one day!

Hailing from Bogota, Colombia, Coach Diana moved to West Virginia to play soccer for Alderson Broaddus University. She recently graduated with a Bachelor’s in Sports management and made her way to Phoenix, Arizona. She hopes to attend graduate school in athletic training. When she isn’t on Soccer Island you can find Coach Diana learning new sports and exploring the world!

All the way from Panama, Coach Dario is ready to impact soccer players all over the Phoenix area! His personal soccer career started at an early age in Panama and later in Dallas, Texas before moving to Phoenix, Arizona. Coach Dario speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian. When he is off Soccer Island you may find him exercising, learning a new language, or playing FIFA with his friends! He hopes to one day become a manager for a team and live in Europe!

Coach Jacob is originally from Chicago and started playing soccer since he was twelve-years old. He is a big fan of Manchester United and hopes to one day watch a game at Old Trafford. When he is off Soccer Island you may find Jacob playing soccer or playing video games. He hopes to share the passion for soccer with the children on Soccer Island!