In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, United Soccer Coaches is proud to highlight three incredible educators and coaches: Sarah Gonzalez, Memo Latapi, and Edgardo Becerra. These leaders are making a tremendous impact in their communities, shaping the future of soccer, and promoting inclusion, education, and opportunity through the sport.
Sarah Gonzalez
For the past 18 years, Sarah Gonzalez has been a cornerstone of the soccer program at Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park, Kansas. A former National Youth Referee of the Year and goalkeeper for the University of Kansas, Sarah has led her high school team to multiple league titles and a state championship. She is committed to developing not only skilled soccer players but also strong individuals. As a math teacher and a color commentator for KU Women’s Soccer on ESPN+, Sarah is an all-around role model for her players, especially in her efforts to promote soccer within the local Latino(a) community.
“Sarah is like a teddy bear with armor,” says one of her players. “She pushes us to our limits but makes sure we always know how much she cares.”
Memo Latapi
Memo Latapi, founder of United Springfield Academy (USA) in Missouri, is dedicated to making soccer accessible for all youth players, regardless of background. Under his leadership, USA has achieved notable success, including regional championships and national finals. One of his most impactful initiatives is the Restaurant League, which provides Hispanic restaurant workers a place to play late-night soccer, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
In Memo’s own words: “Soccer has the power to unite people from all backgrounds. Our mission is to provide an inclusive environment where every player, regardless of their community or background, can grow—both as athletes and as individuals.”
As a United Soccer Coaches member with a Director of Coaching diploma, Memo continues to expand his knowledge and work with world-class mentors, bringing top-level training to his local community.
Edgardo Becerra
Born in Lima, Peru, and raised in San Mateo, California, Edgardo Becerra has dedicated his life to developing youth soccer players. As the founder of 1991 Total Football Academy in San Diego, Edgardo’s mission is to create opportunities for all players, regardless of their financial background. His academy has developed several champions, including Samantha Weiss, who now plays for the Argentina U-20 National Team and Columbia University.
“Edgardo’s passion for soccer goes beyond the field,” says Andy Weiss, father of Samantha. “He helped my daughter develop her technical and tactical skills and supported her journey to Argentina’s U-20 National Team, where she made history.”
Through his involvement with United Soccer Coaches, Edgardo continues to grow as a coach and leader, using the organization’s resources to enhance the training and development of his players.
The mission of United Soccer Coaches is to provide programs and services that enhance, contribute to, and advocate for the development and recognition of soccer coaches, players, and the game we love. These three leaders—Sarah, Memo, and Edgardo—are shining examples of that mission in action, demonstrating the power of soccer to inspire, uplift, and unite communities.