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
Technical Director
Matteo is a former professional soccer player and coach from Italy.
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 directing 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!
Salvador Filho
Head Coach
Sal 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.
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.
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. He has helped businesses like Beast Mode Soccer to reach their highest potential creating a training culture that has attracted the likes of countless collegiate, professional, and international players such as Alex Morgan and Allie Long (USWNT) Landon Donovan (USMNT) Hector Moreno (Mexico National Team) among others.
Zoe Cleverly
Goalkeeper Trainer
Zoe has been the Starting Goalkeeper for the Pepperdine University Women's Soccer Team since 2017. She has appeared in 19 games with 16 starts, has a 0.90 goals-against average in 1,306 minutes, and has made 36 saves and posted 6 solo shoutouts!
She was also part of the U-17, U-18, and U-19 U.S. National Team!
Carlos gomez
Assistant Coach
Carlos holds a USSF D license.He is also a LAUSD high school teacher, and is the former LA High School Boys Varsity Coach.