San Jose Earthquakes

Leadership

Luchi Gonzalez

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.

Alex Saunders

Director of Academy Operations

George Saunders, Director Scouting

George Saunders brings a diverse international football background shaped by experiences through the youth academy systems of Arsenal FC of the English Premier League and LaLiga’s Villarreal CF in Spain. A native of London, England, he played professionally in Colombia for several clubs, including Envigado FC and Atlético Huila. He has earned a Scouting and Game Analysis Specialist certification through the MBP School of Coaches in Barcelona.

Head Coaches

Dan Neal, u13 Head Coach

Originally from England, Neal joined the Quakes Academy as an assistant coach after previously developing youth players with Bay Area Surf and establishing himself as one of the top youth soccer coaches in Northern California.

Luis Garcia, u14 Head Coach and RDS Coordinator

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.

Ivan Mirković, u15 Head Coach

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.

Renato Bustamante, u16 Head Coach

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.

Gerson Perez, Head Coach u18

Gerson Perez is a Bay Area native with international experience, having worked with the El Salvador Men's National Team, where he helped the program reach the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals and compete in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying. He later guided El Salvador's U-20 National Team to a first-place finish in its CONCACAF qualifying group before joining Chicago Fire FC II to continue his work in professional player development

Support Staff

Miguel Martinez, Goalkeeper Coach

Miguel joined the Quakes Academy in 2025 and is entering his second season with the club. A native of Tulare, California, he served as the Goalkeeper Coach for the Cal State Fullerton men's soccer program from 2022-24, helping lead the Titans to the 2024 Big West Conference Championship. He also spent the 2024–25 season as goalkeeper coach for Fresno Fuego in USL League One. Martinez holds a UEFA Goalkeeper B License through the Scottish Football Association.

Rui Qiang Liu, Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach U14s and U15s

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, Academy Head Athletic Trainer, U16s and U18

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

Bob Guerrero, Academy Assistant Athletic Trainer, u14s and u15s

Bob Guerrero joined the Quakes Academy in 2025. He earned a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from San José State University in 2021 and a master's degree in Athletic Training from Azusa Pacific University in 2023, where he completed a season-long internship with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Marybel Sanchez, Manager, Academy Housing

Marybel Sanchez is the supervisor of “Casa Quakes,” the Quakes Academy residency program. Sanchez oversees high school-aged academy players whose families live outside of commuting distance to training facilities.

Melissa Sousa. Player Wellness 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.

Academy Staff