Academy Staff

Director of Academy Operations

Luchi is entering his second full season with the Quakes Academy after taking the helm as Academy Director in 2025. In his previous experience as an Academy Director with FC Dallas (2016-18), he oversaw the most successful youth program in the United States.

Academy Operations Manager

Melissa Sousa serves as the player wellness manager for Quakes II and Quakes Academy, having been with the club since April 2022. Originally from Manteca, California, Sousa held roles with the San Francisco Giants Community Fund and Montage Health.

Head of U23 Individual Development Programming

Renato Bustamante is entering his second season with the Quakes Academy. Originally from Lima, Peru, he played professionally with the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL), Fresno FC (USL Championship), and Central Valley Fuego FC (USL League One). Most recently, Bustamante was the first assistant coach for Spokane Velocity SC, helping guide the club to the 2024 USL League One Final. He holds a U.S. Soccer Federation National A License.

Ivan Mirković is entering his second season with the Quakes Academy. Originally from Serbia, Ivan Mirkovic played professionally in the USL Championship for several clubs, including Sacramento Republic FC. Mirković contributed to the U.S. U-15 Youth National Team as a Performance Analyst before joining Las Vegas Lights FC as an assistant coach for the 2024 season. He joined Quakes Academy in 2025 as head coach of the U-15 team and has led the squad to consecutive MLS NEXT Playoff appearances. During the 2025–26 season, his team captured the club's first-ever MLS NEXT Western Pro Pathway Conference title.

Luis Garcia is entering his seventh season with the Quakes Academy. Originally from Cádiz, Spain, the longest tenured Quakes Academy coach brings a wealth of international playing and coaching experience. Garcia began his coaching journey with the Sevilla FC Academy in Spain’s La Liga. Before joining the Earthquakes, he spent four seasons with Liverpool FC International Academy Bay Area as an academy coach and director of the futsal program. He holds a UEFA A coaching license from the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

Rui Qiang Liu joined Quakes Academy in 2022. Prior to the Earthquakes, Liu served as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Albany High School, where he designed and coordinated training programs for 13 varsity sports over three years.

Victoria Puckett earned both her Bachelor of Science in Health, Kinesiology, and Leisure Studies, with a minor in Sociology, and her Master of Athletic Training from Baylor University. A Seattle native, she has also completed internships with Austin FC and the University of Washington's indoor volleyball program