Why We Started Vision Soccer: A New Chapter for Youth Development in The San Fernando Valley

Series: The Truth About Youth Soccer – What Most Clubs Won't Tell You (Article 1 of 5)

In recent years, youth soccer in the United States has seen explosive growth—but alongside that growth, we’ve seen growing concerns: clubs prioritizing winning games over development, young players being left behind due to a culture that prioritizes early winning over long-term success.

These issues are personal to me. My experiences as a player, coach, and educator have led me to one clear conclusion: our youth deserve better. That’s why we founded Vision Soccer, a grassroots program designed to foster true development from the ground up and to build a healthier, more purposeful soccer culture in the San Fernando Valley.

From Player to Coach: A Journey Rooted in Passion

My love for the game began like many others, on the fields of AYSO. I grew up competing on all-star and tournament teams, and my team transitioned to club soccer with Fuego (North Valley Soccer Club). Soccer remained central to my life through high school, where I earned all-league honors at LA Baptist High School, and into college, where I played at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. After earning my degree in Kinesiology from Cal State Northridge, I entered the coaching world in 2009, joining the men’s and women’s staff at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. That year marked a turning point, my focus shifted from being a player to shaping players.

A Turning Point in Sonoma: What True Soccer Can Look Like

In 2010, I travelled with Sonoma States Men’s Soccer team to watch spring scrimmages against Cal Berkeley and San Francisco State University. What I saw changed my perspective completely, and made my decision clear to make a move to Sonoma County.

The style of play was elegant yet effective, quick ball movement, intelligent spacing, and players who didn’t look like the “typical” college athlete, but who clearly understood the game on a deeper level.

I soon discovered that this wasn’t an accident. Since the 1990s, the Ziemer brothers had established a long-standing cooperation with professional coaches from Ajax Amsterdam, including legendary coach Franz Hoek. Through years of camps, professional coaching education, and European coaches tours, Sonoma had developed a playing model and youth structure influenced by ‘Dutch Football’, that rooted in technical quality, intelligent play, and a clear development philosophy. The result? Sonoma County had quietly become one of the strongest developmental soccer hubs in the Country.

A Vision for the San Fernando Valley

That experience left a lasting impression. I remember thinking: “What if we brought that same level of development to the San Fernando Valley?” Not just for elite players—but for any child who loves the game.

While many clubs in our region focus heavily on winning, reputation, and early results, we have an opportunity to build something different, something better. Vision Soccer was created as a starting point for that transformation: a grassroots initiative built on the belief that proper development starts early, and that no player should be left behind.

Our goal is not just to build grassroots programs and competitive teams, but to build a complete development pathway, from the youngest ages to the elite level. A club culture that prioritizes the technical, tactical, physical, and emotional growth of players. A system that mirrors the long-term athlete development models seen across Europe, while remaining rooted in our local community values.

The Mission Moving Forward

Families, coaches, and players deserve to understand what real development looks like, and how to identify the difference between short-term success and long-term potential.

That’s why I’m launching a written series titled:

“The Truth About Youth Soccer: What Most Clubs Won’t Tell you.”

This series will bring to light the realities of the youth soccer landscape, outline what healthy development truly looks like, and explain how clubs can, and should, serve players first.

Upcoming articles in this series include:

1. What Youth Development Should Look Like, at the Youngest Ages
2. The Broken Model: How Youth Soccer Is Failing Our Kids
3. Learning the Game Through Decision Making
4. How Most Youth Clubs Prioritize Winning over Development
5. What Does a Healthy Developmental Club Structure Look Like?

Closing Thoughts

This is is about painting a picture of what a healthy developmental experience should look like, it’s about building something greater. The time has come for a new soccer culture in the San Fernando Valley, one that’s development-first, transparent, and built on trust between players, families, and coaches.

Vision Soccer is more than a club. It’s a movement. And we’re just getting started.

If you’re looking for a development-first soccer program for your child, learn more at www.visionsoccer.org