SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes and Academy Director Luchi Gonzalez announced today new and returning staff ahead of the 2026-27 MLS NEXT season. Quakes Academy will now feature five age groups with the addition of an Under-13 squad. The five age groups will be led by Dan Neal (U-13), Luis Garcia (U-14), Ivan Mirković (U-15), Renato Bustamante (U-16) and Gerson Perez (U-18).
Staff additions this year include a new academy scouting department led by Director of Scouting George Saunders with a team of five regional scouts across Sacramento, Silicon Valley, Central Valley, North/East Bay and Salinas. The Quakes Academy has also added an additional goalkeeper coach, Kevin Esquivel, to join the returning Miguel Martinez. Sam Estrada and Rui Qiang Liu continue their roles as strength and conditioning coaches. Alex Saunders continues his role as Director of Operations. Quakes Academy will also feature a new Individual Development Plan (IDP) coach.
“I am proud to see the new investment in growing our academy staff, including our scouting department,” said Quakes Academy Director Luchi Gonzalez. “Our scouting team will be integral toward identifying top talent across Northern California with over 15 million in population. We want to be present and build bridges with all youth soccer organizations in the region, including club directors, coaches and families. Growing our technical staff and adding a U-13 age group shows our dedication to player development and creating opportunities for players to earn spots in our MLS First Team and Earthquakes II in MLS NEXT Pro. I am incredibly excited to begin the 2026-27 season with one of the best academy staffs in the country based on their experience, work ethic and alignment to our club’s values and development model.”
Luchi Gonzalez 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. During that span, the club won four U.S. Soccer Development Academy national championships (U-16 and U-18 twice each). The club not only enjoyed success at academy level, but also with their professional pathway. Gonzalez was directly involved with 26 of 32 Homegrown signings for the FC Dallas first team, with a staggering 18 of those players eventually earning U.S. Men’s National Team senior caps. He went on to become an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Alex Saunders serves as Director of Operations for both San Jose Earthquakes II and the Quakes Academy. Saunders has overseen the successful player pathway development in San Jose for over 12 years since joining the Quakes in 2014.
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.
Dan Neal is taking the helm of the new Quakes Academy U-13 squad. 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 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 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 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 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. Most recently, Perez joined Club Universidad Nacional Pumas in Mexico, serving on Efraín Juárez's first-team staff while also leading the club's second team to consecutive playoff appearances and a national championship over two seasons.
Kevin Esquivel, is entering his first season with the Quakes Academy after previously serving as goalkeeper coach for Cal State East Bay from 2023-26. A native of San Francisco, Esquivel also served as goalkeeper coach for Oakland Roots SC in USL Championship.
Miguel Martinez 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.
Sam Estrada joined the Quakes Academy this January. A native of Palmdale, California, Estrada previously worked with AV Alta FC of USL League One. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science from Cal State Northridge and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Kinesiology at California Baptist University.
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. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland and a Master of Arts in Sports Coaching with an emphasis in Strength and Conditioning from the University of Denver, where his graduate research resulted in two published articles on soccer training in the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Coach Journal.
In addition to the technical staff, Quakes Academy has invested in the health and wellness of all players in San Jose’s development system with new and returning staff. Victoria Puckett and Bob Guerrero will serve as academy athletic trainers. Marybel Sanchez will continue her role as the residency supervisor. Melissa Sousa will continue her league-leading work as manager of player wellness. Emi Corona continues to serve as Academy Coordinator. Quakes Academy will also feature a new mental skills coach to help players navigate the psychological side of the sport.
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 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. He has also gained experience working with The King's Academy in Sunnyvale.
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 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. A licensed Associate Social Worker (ASW) with a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Cal State Monterey Bay, she is currently completing her Doctorate in Sport Social Work (DSW) through the University of Kentucky. Notably, she was recognized globally as the winner of the Player Care Group's 2024 Academy "Rest of World" Award.
Emi Corona played collegiate soccer for San José State University before joining the Quakes as Academy Coordinator. Corona manages all academy logistics ensuring safe travel, managing matchday operations and arranging for all necessary equipment.
About MLS NEXT
Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America. With a commitment to innovation and providing access and representation, MLS NEXT players receive the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both in soccer and in life. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
