The Team BehindSamba Soccer Academy
Four coaches with collegiate & professional playing experience, professional credentials, and a shared commitment to developing complete soccer players in San Diego.
Danny Alvarez
Danny Alvarez is the founder and director of player development at Samba Soccer Academy. A former collegiate athlete and assistant coach at Whitworth University, Danny brings direct experience from a competitive college environment focused on performance, recruiting, and player progression. Danny competed at San Diego Surf USSDA Academy, Whitworth University (NCAA DIII) where he earned All-Conference honors and served as team captain, Cal State San Marcos (NCAA DII), and Spokane Shadow (NPSL). He also played with Murrieta Soccer Academy U23 in U.S. Open Cup competition. As assistant coach at Whitworth University Men’s Soccer from 2022 to 2025, Danny operated in the college recruiting process firsthand — giving him a unique ability to prepare athletes for what it actually takes to earn opportunities at the next level. Danny holds a USSF D License, an MBA in International Business from Cal State San Marcos, and a B.A. in Business Management from Whitworth University. His training reflects the standard he experienced as a player and coach — demanding precision, speed of play, and tactical awareness.
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Meet the Samba Coaches
Collegiate playing experience, professional credentials, and a shared commitment to developing complete soccer players in San Diego.
Head of Training & PerformanceAaron Alvarez
Head of Training & Performance
Director of Recruitment & College PathwaysDaniel Villalva
Director of Recruitment & College Pathways
Technical Director / Head of Player DevelopmentCurtis Collazos
Technical Director / Head of Player Development
How We Develop
Complete Players
Every session at Samba Soccer Academy is designed around three core principles that guide how we train, coach, and prepare athletes in San Diego.
Technical Precision
We don’t just run players through drills. We teach the details that change how they play — cleaner first touch, sharper ball control, better body shape, quicker releases, and more confidence under pressure. Every repetition has a purpose and connects back to the real game.
Game Intelligence
The best players see the game before everyone else. At Samba, we train players to scan earlier, recognize space, make faster decisions, and solve problems in tight areas. The goal is not just to look technical — it is to become effective when the game gets fast.
Competitive Preparation
Whether a player is preparing for club tryouts, a bigger role on their team, college recruiting, or the next level, we help them understand what the standard looks like. Our coaches have played, coached, and recruited in competitive environments, and we use that experience to guide players with honesty, structure, and accountability.
Train With Coaches Who Have Been There
Your first session is free. Get an honest evaluation, a personalized development plan, and see if Samba Soccer Academy is the right fit for your athlete.
Our Players In Action
A look at the work, growth, and team spirit at Samba Soccer Academy in San Diego.
