SFEA Hires Boys Director of Coaching
Ricky Gutierrez returns to SF Elite after moving to Arizona to coach at Grand Canyon University where he helped guide the team to a 15-4-1 record on their way to a NCAA playoff berth. Ricky was recently announced as the Mens assiutsant soccer coach at CAL Berkeley. Ricky is a native of California, who holds a U.S. Soccer National B Coaching License & is a MLS Next Academy coach with RSL Arizona. Ricky coached with SF Elite from 2019 - 2021 before departing for Arizona. He has over 20 years of coaching experience at every level from recreation to college coaching. He brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of soccer to the San Francisco Bay Area. A major focus of Ricky’s coaching career is assisting players in achieving the highest level of success in soccer. From high school to college to professional careers, he strives to motivate and train players to reach their personal goals. Over 12 players who have trained and played on his teams have been selected for the U.S. National team for their age level. He has sent countless players to college on scholarships, propelled numerous players to the MLS development programs, and has had several players sign professional contracts. Ricky also places great effort and emphasis on assisting players who would not normally have the opportunity or means to play club soccer. He understands firsthand how opportunities such as college scholarships, staying active, being in a positive and nurturing environment can change a child’s life. He works endlessly to find the opportunities for all children in the community. Ricky will particularly be focused on working with the SF Elite U13-19 boys teams. Welcome back coach Ricky!
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Discover a SAN FRANCISCO soccer program for the talented & committed player seeking college play and beyond.
• We are a San Francisco soccer program that offers U.S. Soccer Development Academy and automatic-entry NPL play for both Boys and Girls at U12 (no other San Francisco club offers this).
• We are the ONLY club in San Francisco with girls and boys teams playing in NPL Champions League (highest level of play). • Teams in our program receive over 50 hours of additional training time annually versus comparable age-groups at San Francisco youth clubs. • We avoid leagues/divisions with too many local or same-club teams as well as multiple meaningless tournaments, allowing us to deliver a training-to-game ratio in line with guidelines from U.S. Soccer. The result is improved player development, reduced player burnout and stress on families. • Our players and teams are afforded the chance to play in top college showcases, significantly increasing their opportunity to be seen and recruited and/or play college soccer. • Our program offers large amounts of financial aid so that NO PLAYER is denied on the basis of being unable to pay. |
• We were the first San Francisco soccer club to receive a Players First License from US Club based on our program excellence and standards that benefit players and families.
• Our players are supported with unique soccer-enhancing programs like Soccer Performance and Peak Performance, as well as sports medicine partners who help players return from injury. • Our staff includes 12 Nationally-licensed coaches, 2 current NCAA Division I head coaches, 2 current community college head coaches, and 3 former MLS/NASL professionals. And our coaches' networks span NCAA Division I,II, and III; NAIA, ODP/PDP, as well as USSDA and ECNL clubs, giving our players unmatched access to and contacts at the next level. • Our Academy program features a small number of elite teams across boys and girls play, allowing us to focus all of our time and energy on helping our players and teams reach their soccer goals. Each team and their players are treated with respect and care, and led by a highly-licensed, experienced coach. • We have more players participating in PDP and ODP than any other San Francisco club. |
Your City. Your Soccer Academy. Your Soccer Dreams.
WHAT MAKES THE SAN FRANCISCO ELITE ACADEMY THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR DEDICATED SAN FRANCISCO PLAYERS?
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“With experienced soccer coaches, a professional board, and a president with a great passion to help provide a golden pathway for the San Francisco soccer player, the San Francisco Elite Academy has a formula for success. It won’t be defined by winning but by providing a proper training model for today’s modern player and a staff with a proven track record on developing players through technical, mental and physical growth. Our leadership will take a professional approach in everything we do as we strive to not just help San Francisco youth soccer but seek the betterment of soccer in the United States. Additionally, we will work on educating parents about the sacrifices needed for the elite player, while all the while providing an environment for our players where they will learn, compete and, importantly, have fun.”
- Eddie Soto, Board Member, SF Elite Academy
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"As parents, we are incredibly appreciative to finally be a part of a club that provides opportunities to compete at the very highest level of soccer, comprehensive player development support for our children as athletes and as people, and unequaled coaching--all right here in San Francisco.”
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SF Elite Academy 2001 Girls - 2016 Surf Cup Champions