YOUR PYSC COACHING TEAM
DIRECTORS & COACHING STAFF
Meet the experts who dedicate numerous hours preparing and guiding our players!
We see big potential in every player, and care deeply about what they do every day. Our unique development program ensures that we have the very best staff, and at every level of the age matrix. Our leadership team reflects a group of diverse individuals with breadth and depth of experience across the sport.
VALERIE HENDERSON
DIRECTOR OF COACHING & TEAM COACH
- US Soccer National A License
DEREK LAWLESS
Technical Director
• Curriculum Development
• Coach Mentorship
• Player Mentorship
Email:Derek.Lawless@peninsula-soccer.org
License(s):
NSCAA National; USSF D
Current PYSC Team(s):
08G Storm Blue, U9B Energy Blue
Playing Experience:
Leinster Senior league in Ireland, Clondalkin Celtic, Moyle Park College, Bluebell United, College of Art, Shamrock Harps.
Other Experience & Accomplishments:
Coached Shamrock Harps Men's Team 2004-2010 and F.A.I.(Ireland) Youth Summer Camps.
Coaching License:
USSF D License
NSCAA National License
CYSA F License
NorCal Fiorentina Basic Course
Norcal Fiorentina Advance Course
The Barcelona Methodology Course 1 & 2
John Devine Guided Discovery
TOVO Course
Favorite Team:
Liverpool FC
Coaching Experience:
Current Peninsula United teams:
U13 Girls (Norcal Gold)
U13 Boys (Norcal Premier)
Shamrock Harps Men's Team 2004-2010
Work for the F.A.I.(Ireland) youth summer camps.
KAYLYN TOYAMA
College Recruitment Advisor
• College Recruiting Pathway
Email:Kaylyn.Toyama@peninsula-soccer.org
Coach Kay is also the first assistant for the Academy of Art University Women's Soccer program
License(s):
USSF D License, Fiorentina Coaching Method Certificate
Playing Experience:
San Francisco State University, Tottenham Hotspurs East bay Ladies.
Crystal Springs Uplands Varsity Coach and SF Glens Evolution Soccer Club.
Played at SF State and for WPSL Tottenham East Bay Ladies.
Favorite Quote:
"I learned all about life with a ball at my feet" - Ronaldinho.
LUCIANO ESTRADA
Academy Director
• Curriculum Development
• Player Development
Coach Luciano has decades of experience as an elite coach and talent developer. He coached in the US Development Academy for eight years and was Director of an Academy for two. He has also served as a scout for the Mexican National Team. He is known to inspire and develop entry level and elite level players. Coach Luciano holds his Grass Roots license as well as his USSF National 'B' License. He has a great ability to motivate players and find the proper age specific exercises to develop players.
ALAN DOWNEY
SERGIO AVIÑA-CORTES
SAMANTHA FERNANDEZ
Coach Sam holds her USSF National 'C' license and is the head Varsity coach for Hillsdale Girls Soccer. She has worked with players who have gone on to play Division I level soccer and has helped promote players from grass roots to NPL level. She is a great motivator and leader and joyfully shares her passion and knowledge for the game!
GERARDO MOYA
Gerardo Moya Preciado Jr-(32)yrs old
Native: Redwood City
School education: Sequoia high school/Foothill College
Coaching experience: 8+ years of coaching competitive outdoor soccer/ Indoor Futsal and other recreational level sports.
Playing experience: started playing at 3 years old in my local boys in girls club then for youth club I played for Juventus club's strikers 90 / Juventus Earthquakes. For high school Sequoia high and college foothill community college. Started playing competitive futsal at 15 years old and played semi-profesional for about 2-3 years traveling the world playing the beautiful sport of soccer/futsal. Played for local semi professional leagues teams- San Francisco (El Farolito Fc) Oakland Stompers Fc for NPSL league.
Family: I have 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls
Soccer philosophy: working hard individually and as a team to reach your highest potential with always positive attitude with room to grow.
Fun fact: spending time with my family, playing sports and watching movies.
EDSEL DELOS REYES
License(s): USSF D License
Coach Edsel joined Peninsula with our Academy program in 2021, and has since coached our 2013G White team, 2014B White team, and 2016G Blue team.
He has been a part of the Foster City and San Mateo soccer community for more than 10 years.
One of his coaching philosophies is “Total commitment to the process; total acceptance of the outcome”, which applies to the coach, the players and the parents of the teams that he coaches.
ALFREDO ZAMORA
Alfredo Zamora
U.S. Soccer National A license
U.S Soccer Educator
Coach Zamora has had an extensive soccer career as a player and coach. After wrapping up his playing days in the San Francisco Premier Soccer League and Peninsula Soccer League of San Jose, he transitioned into coaching in 1998, primarily focusing on youth soccer.
Throughout his coaching career, Coach Zamora has worked at various levels. He has coached various boys and girls youth teams, providing them with valuable guidance and training to develop their skills and passion for the sport. Additionally, he has been involved in coaching high school teams, further honing his coaching abilities.
Coach Zamora has made contributions as a goalkeeper coach at Las Positas Community College, where he assisted in training and mentoring goalkeepers to enhance their performance on the field.
Coach Zamora has also served as Director of Coaching (DOC) for several clubs, including Oakley Youth SC, East San Jose FC, and Delta United SC. In this role, he played a vital part in the club's development and helped them attain membership in the prestigious Norcal Premier Soccer Organization.
Coach Zamora's experience and dedication to the sport have allowed him to make a significant impact on the soccer community. His involvement in various levels and positions within the soccer world showcase his versatility and commitment to the development of players and teams.
carlos gonzales
Carlos Gonzalez - USSF B License, Pro Conmebol
Joel Ojeda Rosales
Coach Joel played Varsity soccer at San Benito High School. He is a midfielder for Foothill College. Joel holds his USSF National "D" License and completed his La Liga Methodology 3 training.
GEORGE PINEDA
Email:George.Pineda@peninsula-soccer.org
License(s):
2014 Advanced National Diploma
2014 NorCal Fiorentina Advanced Coaching Course
2013 National Diploma
2012 Goalkeeper Diploma 1-2
2011 NorCal Fiorentina Basic Coaching Course
2011 NSCAA Junior Level VI Diploma
2009-2010 C.Y.S.A. (F) (E) (E-D)
Current PYSC Team(s):
05G Crush White, 07G Strikers Blue
Playing Experience:
2005-11 Pleasanton Premiere Co-Ed Soccer League
2009-10 S.F Papy League Majors
2000-05 S.F. Soccer League Majors
1993-00 S.F. Soccer League 1st Division
1984-88 Aragon High School
1980-87 Belmont CYSA Soccer Club
Other Experience & Accomplishments:
2014-Present San Mateo High School Boys Varsity Coach
2004-2009 Gryphons Pre-Academy Coach
2014 03B Gryphons Boys Coach
2010-14 01G Gryphons Coach
2011-13 02G Gryphons Girls Coach
2010-13 01B Gryphons Boys Coach
1991-92 U12 San Mateo AYSO Coach
Favorite Team:
Barcelona
Favorite Quote:
"Good players practice till they get it right...great players practice till they never get it wrong."
GERRY CRUZ
Email:Gerry.Cruz@peninsula-soccer.org
Coach Gerry was a starting midfielder for the San Francisco State Men's Team before joining the coaching ranks at PYSC in 2017
License(s):
USSF "D"
NICK CARRARA
Coach Nick Carrera played college soccer at San Jose State before going on to play semi-professional soccer with the Kitsat Pumas and the Burlingame Dragons. He represented the USA in the IFA Futsal World Cup in China and brought home a bronze medal. Nick has been coaching with the Serra Varsity and JV high school team for the past 10 years and has been part of multiple CCS titles. He is a very passionate coach and player. He loves the game and always tries to spread the love to his players. He helps players develop their love of the game as well as their skills and knowledge.
JOHNNY CARRARA
Coach Johnny is a Bay Area native by way of Redwood City. He played club soccer at UCSB and is now a professional futsal player with La Famiglia Futsal Club. He won US Nationals with La Famiglia and also represented the USA in the IFA futsal World Cup in China in 2019. Johnny is a great coach and great team leader. Johnny holds his 4v4 and 11v11 Grass Roots License.
HOLLY YATES
License(s): USSF Grass Roots License
Hillsdale HS JV Coach
2016G White Team Head Coach
KYIKYIN KYU