Our Instructors

Rodrigo Plaza

Executive Director

Soccer is beautiful because of the love and dedication that players can bring to such a chaotic, yet fundamentally cooperative, sport. I believe that every player deserves the opportunity to pursue their own unique soccer journey and that their love for the game, despite all of its challenges, is the only sustainable fuel available to them on their quest.

After graduating from Harvard University and coaching soccer there for 5 years, I am excited to be back in Santa Cruz, my hometown, working with youth and developing new programs and curriculum to help them reach their potential. After receiving my USSF C License and coaching teams from U6 COED to college men, I feel blessed to still be navigating my own journey, learning from the players I coach at every step.

Germán Plaza

Director of Coaching

Germán is my mentor, confidant, and father. As a retired professional player and professional coach with his USSF A-License, the first ever USSF DOC License, and decades of youth coaching experience with both boys and girls, Germán is the most experienced and successful soccer coach in Santa Cruz County and a pivotal member of the Northern California soccer community. His experience playing soccer on the streets of Perú grounds his player-centric philosophy and pedagogy, and his climb to the professional arena informs his profound understanding of the potential living in every child, no matter what language they speak or how much money they have in their pocket. German is an inspiration to me and those he works with and a gift to the communities where he invests his time, creativity, and wisdom.