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
RIC MARTA
License(s):NSCAA National Diploma
NSCAA DOC Diploma
Club Coach:
2007 - present @ currently at Peninsula SC, SMC Earthquakes, formerly Gryphons SC.
Playing Experience:
Played Varsity for Westmoor High School Three Time All League player and Team Captain (1989-1993). Recruited by Skyline College for both Soccer and Baseball.
Other Experience & Accomplishments:
Coached at Westmoor High school JV and Varsity teams: 1994-2006.
I was a Folkloric dancer for a few years (did both Mexican and Venezuelan).
I hold a Master's degree in Social Work, from San Francisco State.
Favorite Quote:
"We do not pass to move the ball, we pass to move the opposition" Pep Guardiola.
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
JOEL OJEDA ROSALES
EDSEL DE LOS REYES
ALFREDO ZAMORA
Alfredo, USSF A License Coach, US Soccer Coach License Educator.
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.