Coach Adam Yassaman

Coach Adam has been playing soccer as far back as he can remember.  Ever since he could kick a ball, he has enjoyed getting out in the fresh air and playing! He grew up just north of LA, went to school at UCLA, and now resides on the west side; an LA boy, born and raised! He comes from a family of teachers and currently teaches middle school math and PE in Woodland Hills. He spends much of his week daydreaming about SoccerKidsUSA, and has put out an official challenge to any parent wanting to take him on in the skill game, "Crossbar Challenge", between sessions!

Coach Alexa Block

Coach Alexa is a native Californian, spending most of her young life on soccer fields in and around Los Angeles. The time was well spent; she's a talented player. Always an offensive threat, she played for her high school team, as well as several club teams in the area. She's enjoying the experience of teaching the 'little ones'...

Coach Andrea Topper

Coach Andrea started playing soccer when she was four years old and hasn't stopped since. Originally from Lancaster, PA she moved to California two years ago to pursue her M.F.A. in Film at Chapman University. She currently works for Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment. She is very excited to be a part of the SoccerKidsUSA Team.

Coach Arielle Jessel

Born and raised in Hawaii, Coach Ari has played soccer for 21 years! She has been working for SoccerKidsUSA since 2005 and loves spending her time coaching and making new friends. When she isn’t on the field, she is working hard on pursuing a career as a dentist.

Coach Brian Nitzkin

Born and raised in Chicago, Coach Brian grew up with soccer from his days as a player on many AYSO, traveling, club and high school teams.  After playing a little in college, he moved back to Chicago and, while teaching high school English, began coaching soccer for for the district's Special Olympics team.  Since moving out to Los Angeles a little over three years ago, Coach Brian has been active on his company's soccer team - as both a defensemen and goalie.

Coach Carl Leaf

Coach Carl brings a whole lot of enthusiasm to the field, and a genuine passion for kids and soccer. He's a Jersey boy who grew up playing, with his dad as his coach. He's a terrific defender, and can run forever. He's been in Los Angeles for a fairly short period of time, working as a production assistant.

Coach Daniele Manzin

Coach Daniele was born and raised in the beautiful Northwest city of Seattle, Washington. He has played soccer since he could walk and is a die hard fan of the Italian National team, who he will be cheering on for the summer's World Cup. A recent graduate of Occidental College, Daniele is pursuing a career in theater and enjoys working with children.

Coach Jaclyn Laufer

Coach Jackie was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She has recently returned home after graduating from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a major in Elementary Education and Women’s Studies. She is currently working in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District. She has loved soccer ever since she was a little girl playing in AYSO. She is very excited to be a part of SoccerKidsUSA!

Coach Jamo

Jamarie Geller (AKA: Coach ‘Jamo’) is a new member of the SoccerKidsUSA coaching staff. She brings a fun, energetic coaching style, mixed in with a genuine passion for kids. She hails from Ann Arbor, Michigan (Go Blue!), where she had played goalie for the same team for over 10 years. She currently works as a nanny and tutor, and an occasional bartender. She enjoys painting, tennis, guitar and...(watch out!) kickball!!

Coach Jason Mosberg

Jason is from Delaware. He is 25 years old and has been coaching soccer at SKUSA for more than two years. He has been playing soccer for 21 years and plays in leagues in Santa Monica and Arcadia.

Coach Joey Schuster

Coach Joey is from Lancaster, CA, born and raised.  He has played soccer for 21 years, and is currently playing in the South Bay Sports men's soccer league. He earned a BA in Psychology & Social Behavior from UC Irvine in 2006. When he's not playing soccer or working with autistic kids, he can be found watching movies and eating pizza, or playing air drums and eating pizza, or cruisin' in his red convertible (on the way to go get pizza).
 

Coach Jordan El-Saden

Coach Jordan is a native son, Laker fan, UCLA grad. He's a smart cookie and pretty funny when it comes right down to it. He's slowly becoming a techy, while working for Mogreet Co. A good natural athlete, he's got a prety good jump shot  to go with his kick. When he's not spending long hours at work, or with us on the field, you might very well see him at his favorite weekend lunch spot: Marty's on Pico. Rumor has it he scripted his initials in the concrete when they broke ground (though we're not sure he was born yet)!

Coach Josh Mosberg

Josh loves all sports and has played soccer since he was three. He grew up on the East Coast and has two older brothers. He was coached by his mother and father growing up and has been coaching soccer and lacrosse since he was 14. He moved to LA to get involved in movies and tries to rock out as much as possible!

Coach Keith Lincoln

Coach Keith has played soccer for over 19 years, playing at all levels from club to college.  He is a full time student studying for a profession in sports psychology.  A resident of Santa Monica, Coach Keith enjoys surfing at the local beaches and training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at The Gracie Academy.  He has been a coach with Soccer Kids USA for nearly 3 years.  One of the best things about teaching is passing on some of knowledge that he's learned and seeing the kids  enjoy the sport.  

Coach Lauren Whitted

Coach Lauren Whitted started playing soccer in elementary school and has played on a team or for recreation ever since. She's moved around a lot. After finishing college, she couldn't ignore the call from incredible Southern California. Most recently coming from Texas (don't let her lack of an accent fool you) Lauren has called LA home for a year and a half. When not doing the workweek shuffle, she likes to spend her time hiking, going to the beach, trying to find her way around LA, and cooking. Just don't ask her to make apple cider. One day, she hopes to go see Arsenal FC play in Emirates."

P.S. She's a great defender - good luck getting past her!!

Coach Michelle Shegda

Coach Michelle has been with SoccerKidsUSA since February 2007.  An East Coast native, she has been residing and working in Venice, CA, as the Education Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Venice. She spends her free time playing competitive soccer in a women’s amateur league, hiking in Temescal Canyon, skateboarding along the beach and biking around town. She's also been know to do yoga and belly dance!   Originally from Pennsylvania, Michelle attended LaSalle University as a scholarship player on the Women’s Soccer Team. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Michelle began coaching at her high school Alma Mater.  She earned a “C” coaching license, a Certification in Personal Training, and a Master’s in Sport & Recreation Administration from Temple University.
 
Her favorite thing about SoccerKidsUSA is the kids' imaginative minds. It's amazing to see the growth of coordination and talent over the course of only 10 weeks!

Coach Nina Ex

Coach Nina just recently moved to LA from New York City and she is originally from Chicago. She played soccer her whole life and is so excited to begin coaching. She is dedicated to introduce soccer into the lives of children and have them love the sport as much as she does! Let’s play!

Coach Patty West

Coach Patty was born and raised in Chicago where she started playing soccer when she was three. She played lacrosse at Northwestern University and then went on to coach her high school girls' lacrosse team for three years. Patty is excited to now coach a much younger group and introduce soccer into their lives! When she's not with Soccer Kids, she's working at the American Film Institute.

Coach Scott Cooper

Coach Scott is originally from Long Island and learned the game of soccer  on the east coast (shorts in November is not fun).  Scott has been kicking the
ball around as long as he can remember and played not only high school
and club ball at USC, but also on a club team very much like SoccerKidsUSA.  Scott has been living in Los Angeles for the past 10 years and (since he sits at a desk most of the day) relishes every opportunity
to be outside....

Coach Ty Jones