our Staff
At Juventus Academy Los Angeles, our programs are facilitated by licensed coaches with years of experience on the field. Our coaches aim to help our players improve their technical skills, game sense, and physical abilities. By developing foundational skills, our youth can transfer their success on the pitch into other aspects of their lives.
MATTEO MASUCCI
Matteo earned his Bachelor's Degree in Sport and Exercise Science and then attended the University of Roma where he received his Masters Degree in Kinesiology. He holds the UEFA B and UEFA A licenses. He is also a Technical Director and Senior Management Consultant for soccer organizations. Matteo is currently counseling the Juventus Academy of Los Angeles, the Juventus Academy of Toronto and the Fitlight Research Lab.
MANU APPELIUS
Assistant Technical Director/Head of Operations/Head Coach
Manu Appelius holds a USSF B License; the second highest in the United States.
He joins us after 12 years as Director at Santa Monica United, and 3 as Director at Real So Cal-SCV. Manu also has a 20-year experience as varsity head coach at the high school level. His focus on development makes him one of the most renowned coaches in the Los Angeles area!
Head Coach
Salvador Filho
Head Coach
Salvador is from Brazil and he holds a USSF A license and a CBF A license. He lives in Los Angeles and he has been coaching for more than 20 years between Brazil and California.
Michael Braico
Head Coach
Michael holds a USSF D license.He joins us after experiences at VCU, DMS 11, and Camarillo Eagles, in which he was the Head Coach for several teams, ECNL scout, and Club Director. He was also the Head Coach at Thousand Oaks High School and Buena Vista High School Varsity teams.
Head Coach
Juan Morales esquer
Head Coach
Juan played for Pumas UNAM in Mexico City from the age of 4 to 28.
Having grown up in a soccer environment, Juan is determined to teach and pass his experience to the next generation of soccer players.
He has been coaching since 2012, focusing primarily on the players’ mental, technical, and physical development, as well as the growth of full teams and individual players, working with athletes at every level.
Lena Perry
Goalkeeper Trainer
Lena is a former dual NCAA-DI athlete from the University of Pacific where she played goalkeeper and competed as a sprinter/hurdler/high jumper for track and field. After obtaining her Masters in Exercise Physiology and Bachelors of Sports Medicine for her Health, Exercise & Sport Sciences degrees, she later became certified as a NASM personal trainer, nutritionist/chef, neuromuscular massage therapist, life coach and EMT. Over the past 5 years, she has coached for Sierra Canyon High School, and Marymount High School.
Nicolas Bermudez
Head Coach
Nicolas is a native of Madrid, Spain. Nicolas spent his youth soccer career playing for top tier clubs in Madrid.
Nicolas first came to the U.S. in 2008, when he began his collegiate career at Division I Towson University.
Over the last 10-years, Nicolas has coached for some of the top clubs in the D.C. area, he also coached in the Maryland Olympic Development Program (ODP) and, most recently in North Alabama as the NPSL Head Coach where he led the club to its first ever Conference final.
Nicolas currently holds a USSF “C” License, UEFA “C” License from the Spanish Royal Federation, and a Football Technical Analyst Certification.
Kyle Hendricks
Head Coach
Coach Kyle Hendricks is American born but grew up in South America. In his youth he also trained with West Ham Academy in England, FC Bayern Academy in Germany and he played for Esporte Clube Vitoria in Brazil. Kyle was able to transfer that international knowledge to coaching and he moved to California working with clubs and the Olympic Development Program. In this free time, he also loves to produce music and food as he is a DJ and a certified Chef.
RAHA SHAMS
Head Coach
Raha early passion for football emerged at the age of 6, as she enthusiastically joined soccer clubs, participating in the sport throughout middle school and high school. Over the years, Raha showcased her talent in Division 1 and the Premier Soccer Women's League, while also being honored to represent the youth Iranian national team and the Iranian university national team.
During her professional football career in Iran, which spanned approximately 7 years, Raha's journey encountered a setback due to an unfortunate accident while returning from a match.
After her recovery, Raha relocated to Italy and discovered a new calling as a referee, officiating soccer and futsal matches in men's leagues for a period of five years.
In 2022, Raha made her way to the United States, where she embarked on a coaching career, diligently sharing her profound passion for the beautiful game with players of all ages and skill levels.