Meet Steven Sosa

Steven Sosa is recognized as one of the premier youth coaches in American soccer thanks to his unique combination of elite credentials, proven results and player‑centered leadership.

After nearly a decade guiding San Jose Earthquakes academy teams, he returned to the San Francisco Glens in 2025 as Academy Technical Director.

In this newly created role, he oversees player development across all age groups, bringing the same energy and vision that fueled his success with the Earthquakes.

A Proven Leader with a Winning Track Record

During his eight‑year stint with the Quakes academy, Sosa served as head coach for every major age group—from younger teams to the U‑18s—so he understands how to nurture players at every stage of development. His U‑17/U‑18 squads reached the semifinals of both the MLS NEXT FLEX tournament and the Generation adidas Cup by defeating powerhouse academies such as Philadelphia Union and Real Salt Lake. The program’s success extended to individual players: midfielders Rohan Rajagopal and Chance Cowell signed MLS homegrown contracts while teammates made professional debuts and earned youth‑national‑team call‑ups. Sosa has also played a key role in developing Oscar Verhoeven and Cruz Medina—two U.S. youth internationals who, along with Edwyn Mendoza, were signed as homegrown players. These results illustrate his ability to turn academy prospects into national‑team standouts and first‑team professionals.

Comprehensive Coaching & Scouting Expertise

Sosa’s qualifications extend beyond team success. He holds a USSF A License and the U.S. Soccer Technical Leaders License—often referred to as the Academy Director course—which trains coaches to build and manage long‑term player development pathways. He is also a graduate of the Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL), a prestigious 18‑month program run jointly by Major League Soccer and the French Football Federation. The EFCL immerses participants in European academy methodologies, combining classroom work, on‑field instruction and residencies at elite clubs, with the final phase conducted at the INF Clairefontaine training center. These advanced certifications reflect Sosa’s commitment to continuous learning and his ability to integrate best practices from around the world.

Beyond licensing, Sosa has served five years as a youth scout for the U.S. Soccer Federation and spent time on the University of San Francisco men’s coaching staff. Those experiences sharpened his eye for spotting talent and bridging the gap between youth and college programs. He also works with U.S. Soccer’s boys 2011 national team as an assistant coach, ensuring his influence extends all the way to the national‑team setup.

A High‑Level Playing Career

Steven Sosa’s journey as a player laid the groundwork for his holistic coaching style. As a teenager, he represented the United States U‑17 national team, taking part in regional and world championship tournaments and scoring goals against Honduras, Costa Rica and Jamaica . Those highlights underscored his ability to perform on the biggest stages. At just 13 years old he moved to the Netherlands and played for Sparta Rotterdam’s youth academy; after high school he stayed in Europe to train with SC Heerenveen, broadening his exposure to European coaching philosophies.

Upon returning to California, Sosa starred at UC Santa Barbara, where he was a first‑team All‑Big West selection in 2001 and helped the Gauchos win their first conference title. He led the team in assists as a sophomore and tied for second in assists as a junior.  

Building Players, Leaders & Scholars

Today, the same experiences that shaped him as a player—international competition, European training methods and collegiate success—inform his empathetic approach to coaching. He understands what it takes to succeed at every level and channels that knowledge into mentoring the next generation of players. He takes pride in mentoring players toward top colleges and professional opportunities while helping them grow into respectful teammates and community leaders. By combining cutting‑edge training methods with a deep commitment to character, Steven Sosa ensures that every player under his guidance leaves not only better at soccer, but better prepared for life.