James Quiroga
Founder
James Quiroga began his coaching career at the NCAA Division I college Iona in 2001. He was on the Iona staff through the 2004 season and helped the Gaels into the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament each season.
Quiroga was head coach of the Purchase College and Mount Saint Vincent Men’s Soccer NCAA Division III programs. Under Quiroga’s guidance, these programs became instant conference contenders.
James and the famous Quiroga brothers were the backbone of one of the most elite youth soccer programs in the country, FC Westchester Academy. FCW was selected by the United States Soccer Federation to join the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. FC Westchester in NY has won a couple of USFF national titles, regional & state titles when all teams including MLS academy franchise compete in all events.
At FCW, James guided his teams of various age groups to N.Y. State Champions 1994, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 & 2010 when USSF USDA Academies were in State Cup. His teams captured numerous USDA pre-academy league titles from 2010-2015.
In 2007 he helped guide the famous FCW 91 team that produced professional players to MLS and Europe ultimately capturing the Chelsea’s Disney National Invitational tournament.
James has graduated players to Brown, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth, Upenn, Penn State, St. Johns U., Amherst, Duke, Wake Forest, Georgetown, Seton Hall, U. of Virginia, Dayton, Boston College, Boston University, Clemson, George Mason, Marist, Mercer CC, Iona College, Fordham University, Cornell University Connecticut, Providence, U. Rhode Island, American U, Southern CT State, and many more NCAA 1,2,3 schools.
Quiroga is one of the most successful youth soccer coaches at the club level in New York history. James was elected the Super Y National Team Coach for the Region I team. He also holds several coaching licenses.
Sergio R. Valadez
Director of Youth Programs
A Houston native, Coach Sergio Valadez grew up playing local club soccer. He eventually played four years of high school varsity soccer with KIPP Generations Collegiate, captaining his team and winning a state championship along the way!
Coach Sergio pursued a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Houston while simultaneously coaching. He is also starting his USFF coaching license journey.
Coach Sergio has also worked with several clubs in the Houston area. “James Quiroga, Sergio is a leader and has a passion for teaching. He has a welcoming personality which is important when you are working with the younger age groups.
When he is not playing soccer or coaching it, Coach Sergio enjoys soccer from all over the world. Sergio is Bilingual in Spanish, loves spending time with friends and family.
Ana María Bohorquez
Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
Born in Colombia and raised in the United States, Ana María grew up playing soccer in Houston, Texas. Her passion and love for the game comes from her family, especially her brother. As a youth player, Ana played for the top local club teams in the Houston area. Ana graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health with a specializing in specialization in Athletic Health Care. Additionally, Ana worked as a student tutor with the Student Athletic Department at the University of Texas at Austin, UTA helping students from all different backgrounds find confidence and help them meet their academic goal’s. A certified ACSM personal trainer, Ana María has also started the process of obtaining her USSF coaching license.
Ana’s primary responsibility at Urban Soccer academy is to supervise the Strength & Conditioning Department. This department is responsible for providing the student-athlete with comprehensive sport specific year-round programs designed to improve athletic performance and reduce the occurrence of injuries. Founder
James Quiroga said “Ana Maria is a great addition to the technical staff at Urban Soccer Academy. Her attention to detail and passion for her craft is 2nd to none. We’re confident she will excel at Urban Soccer Academy”. When not playing or coaching, Ana María enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, learning new languages and new cultures, and being a film aficionado.
Dan Sarbassov
Director of Operations
We are excited to announce that Dan Sarbassov has joined the Urban Soccer Academy staff. We are confident that Dan will lead with passion and will shine as a coach and director operations. Originally from the Boston area, Coach Dan has been living in Houston since 2006. He has worked with various soccer programs across the city including MLS former USFF academy club. Dan has started his United States soccer license journey.
Coach Dan specializes in high intensity footwork, speed and agility training, while also showing a lot of care, compassion and patience with the younger groups. He takes pride in player development and expects the best out of anyone who steps on the field. James Quiroga: “Dan is a leader who will focus on operations. Dan has a passion for performance training and also loves working with our younger ages.” Dan completed his Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Houston in 2018. Dan was a multi-sport athlete in high school and has a passion from soccer, boxing, and football.
When Dan is not coaching, he enjoys watching sports, working out at the gym, video games and walking his dog.