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):
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
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.
Favorite Team:
Liverpool FC
KAYLYN TOYAMA
College Recruitment Advisor
• College Recruiting Pathway
Email: Kaylyntoyama@gmail.com
Coach Kay is also the Associate Head Coach for Skyline College Women's Soccer program and Head Varsity coach at Aragon High School
License(s):
US Soccer National “C” License
Fiorentina Coaching Method Certificate
Playing Experience:
San Francisco State University, Tottenham Hotspurs East bay Ladies.
LUCIANO ESTRADA
Academy Director
• Curriculum Development
• Player Development
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
DANIELLE VIDAL
Coach Danielle "DJ" Vidal has coached with Peninsula for the past 6 years.
License(s):
US Soccer National “C” License
DJ was a stand out midfielder for San Francisco State University. She now plays for the SF Nighthawks women's semi-professional team and assistant coaches with City College of San Francisco.
EDSEL DELOS REYES
License(s):
US Soccer National “C” License
TOVO 3-day Coaching Certification
Albert Puig Coaching Course
Coach Edsel joined Peninsula with our PYSC Academy in 2021, and is still actively involved in that program. He has since coached our 2013G White, 2014B White, 2016G Blue and 2017G Blue teams.
He has been a part of the Foster City and San Mateo soccer community for more than 12 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.
Joel Ojeda Rosales
Coach Joel played Varsity soccer at San Benito High School.
He is a midfielder for Foothill College.
Joel holds his
US Soccer 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)
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):
US Soccer National “D” License
NICK CARRARA
Coach Nick Carrara 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.
License(s):
US Soccer National “C” License
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
KYIN KYU
MIGUEL ARANA
Coaching Experience:
Cathedral School for Boys, San Francisco San Mateo High School JV Boys (Current) PYSC U12 Boys and PYSC U11 Boys
License(s):
US Soccer National “D” License
USSF Grassroots 9v9
USSF Grassroots 11v11 grassroots
Rogelio Rodriguez JR
License(s):
USSF Grassroots 7 v 7 license
USSF Grassroots 11 v 11 license
Played collegiately at La Cañada for 2 years
Currently plays competitive futsal and indoor
MICHAEL GOLDEN
License/Certifications: USSF Grassroots License
Playing Roots: Michael returns to Peninsula Soccer Club as a Coach—coming full circle to the club where he grew up playing. He went on to play at Cañada College (2015–2017), earning Goalkeeper of the Year and All-State honors, before transferring to Sacramento State to compete with their club program.
Professional & Coaching Experience: After his playing career, Michael spent seven years at Tesla honing leadership, organizational, and team-development skills. Seeking a rewarding role in the sports world, he transitioned into coaching—serving as an Assistant Coach at The Buckley School and as a Coach with LA Bulls SC. In 2025, he rejoined the Peninsula community, eager to contribute to player growth and development.
Personal & Philosophy: A native of Germany, Michael centers his coaching philosophy on growth, resilience, and building confidence on and off the field. He is completing his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management at Southern New Hampshire University (expected December 2025) and resides in San Jose, California.
ALEXIA ESTRADA
License(s):
US Soccer National “D” License
Played Collegiately at Stanislaus State and University of San Francisco
Current player for the Guatemalan Senior Women’s National Team
Assistant Coach for City College of San Francisco Women’s Soccer Program
Goalkeeper Specialist
Jennifer Ribeiro
License(s):
US Soccer National “C” License
Played Collegiately for Cal State Monterey Bay
Audrey Tsao
License(s):
US Soccer National “D” License
PYSC Alumna
Specialist in our Academy Program