With 25 years of coaching experience in Phoenix, Coach Stryker Aguilar has become a leading figure in Arizona’s soccer community. His coaching journey began after a successful playing career in which he represented top local teams including Cisco Kickers, Paradise Valley Shamrocks, Santos FC 76, and Cisco Xcel.

He continued his playing career at the collegiate level with Phoenix College and later professionally with the Arizona Saguaros in the USISL.

Coaching Career & Philosophy:
Coach Stryker started his coaching career as a head coach and trainer at Santos FC, under the guidance of Coach Luis Dabo, where he spent five years developing his coaching philosophy and skill set. In 2012, he founded Excel Soccer Academy, where he has since built a reputation for developing top-tier talent across both boys’ and girls’ programs.

Player Development & Success:
Over the years, Coach Stryker has coached state championship teams and developed numerous male and female players who have gone on to play at high levels, including NCAA Division 1, 2, and 3, NAIA, and NJCAA programs. Two of his female players are currently part of the Mexico U17 National Team, showcasing his ability to develop top international talent.

He has played a key role in providing professional soccer opportunities in South America for Arizona players, becoming a gateway for those looking to take their careers to the next level in international leagues.

Coaching Philosophy & Approach:
Coach Stryker combines rigorous technical training with a focus on leadership, discipline, and mental toughness. His coaching not only aims to develop soccer skills but also emphasizes personal growth, teamwork, and resilience, ensuring that players are well-prepared for success in all aspects of life.

Key Achievements:
Coached state championship teams and mentored athletes who have reached collegiate and professional levels.

Pioneered pathways for Arizona players to enter professional clubs in South America, opening doors to global soccer opportunities.
Built a legacy of excellence and mentorship, with former players continuing to excel at national and international levels.

Coach Stryker continues to shape the future of Arizona soccer by empowering players to reach their full potential both on the field and in life.

Coach Corbett Hess brings a wealth of experience to his role as the Boys Technical Director at Excel Soccer Academy. With a coaching career spanning over two decades, he has successfully guided teams to state and regional championships and developed numerous players who have gone on to compete at all levels of college soccer and in professional leagues.

Starting his coaching journey under the mentorship of Luis Dabo, Coach Corbett spent nine years working alongside one of Arizona’s most respected soccer figures, learning invaluable lessons in player development and team building.

His focus at Excel Soccer Academy is on nurturing individual skills, encouraging creativity, and emphasizing character development—while building a strong team-oriented environment designed for success.

Coach Corbett has an extensive international network and has led Excel teams to Barcelona, offering players unique opportunities to train and compete at a world-class level. His global connections continue to open doors for players, providing exposure and pathways to opportunities in Europe and beyond.

In addition to his coaching expertise, Coach Corbett holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix, blending his academic background with a deep passion for soccer and player development.

As the Youth Director of Excel Soccer Academy, Coach Randy Watkins is passionate about fostering the growth of Excel Soccer Academy’s vibrant soccer community in Central Phoenix. Over the past decade, he has been privileged to witness the unwavering commitment of ESA’s players, coaches, and parents, all contributing to the academy’s success and development.

Coach Randy brings extensive coaching experience at both the club and high school levels, with a career marked by multiple state championships in high school, club, and middle school competitions. These accomplishments have been made possible by the exceptional players he’s had the honor to coach and mentor.

In addition to Coach Randy’s soccer career, he has more than 30 years of experience as an educator and school administrator. These roles have provided him with invaluable leadership skills, which he now applies on the soccer field to inspire and guide young athletes.

Currently, Coach Randy serves as the Head Coach at Verrado High School, is an Adjunct Instructor at Grand Canyon University, and an EOS Auditor.

His journey in soccer began as a player, where he was fortunate to compete alongside some remarkable teammates at the club and high school levels. These formative experiences earned Coach Randy the opportunity to play collegiate soccer at Grand Canyon University, further deepening his passion for the game.

He is excited to continue building a strong foundation for the next generation of players and contributing to the ongoing success of Excel Soccer Academy.

BIO COMING SOON

Coach Max Pasillas is a dedicated coach with a passion for player development. A Phoenix native, he began his soccer journey at the age of 11 and quickly advanced through the competitive ranks.

Coach Max played varsity soccer at Maryvale High School before continuing his playing career at South Mountain Community College.

With more than 14 years of coaching experience alongside Coach Stryker, Coach Max has worked in various settings, including team coaching, small group sessions, and personalized training. This has helped him hone a coaching philosophy that focuses on technical growth, tactical awareness, and individual development within a team-oriented environment.

Coach Max is also a proud father of two children, both of whom played at Excel Soccer Academy, further deepening his commitment to fostering a positive soccer culture both on and off the field.

Coach Carmen Esnal grew up playing soccer right here in the Valley at Alhambra High School, South Mountain Community College and Grand Canyon University. 

When she finished as a player, she turned her sights to coaching. Coach Carmen not only helps ESA, she also coaches at Arizona Soccer Association. Phoenix College and Millennium High School. 

Her philosophy about goalkeeping is to provide innovative training to assist goalkeepers of all ages and levels. Coach Carmen focuses on developing players through the four main components of goalkeeping; technical, tactical, physical and psychological.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Physical Education from Grand Canyon University and she also earned a Master of Business Administration.

Coach Ron Sherron grew up playing multiple sports competitively in the north Phoenix area. He played club soccer with the Paradise Valley Shamrocks and the Sereno Golden Eagles.

Coach Ron was also a four-sport athlete at North Canyon High School in north Phoenix. He went on to play college football on scholarship.

Since then Coach Ron has mentored and coached several Valley high school athletes in soccer to obtain college scholarships. He currently has a son playing for ESA.

BIO COMING SOON

Coach Keith Konetzni, a native of Libertyville, IL, has been passionate about soccer since the age of 4. He began his soccer journey in Libertyville’s youth club system before moving to Arizona, where he continued his development with Paradise Valley Soccer Club (now SC Del Sol).

During his high school years, Coach Keith was scouted for the Olympic Development Program and had the opportunity to travel to Europe, competing in both Denmark and Sweden.

Coach Keith now serves as the head coach for the Excel 2011 Girls team, where he brings his wealth of experience and passion for the game to his players. Outside of coaching, he enjoys playing soccer and can often be found at one of his favorite golf courses throughout Arizona.

Coach Cory Nelson grew up in Phoenix and within the Phoenix soccer community in the Paradise Valley Soccer Club. He met ESA’s Director, Stryker Aguilar, and played together with him in high school. 
 
Coach Cory started coaching in 2015 at the youngest age levels, and has worked since then at the 4v4, 7v7, and 9v9 age groups.

He enjoys the development of young players and working hard to focus on technical skill and confidence with the ball while building a love for the game in a fun and competitive atmosphere. Coach Cory has been a part of the ESA staff since 2021.

Coach Whellyn Carroll grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. He played for local sides before venturing to pursue a soccer career in Scotland where he spent two years trying to make it until being offered to come to America.

Coach Whellyn went on to play for Northern Oklahoma College and Roger State University. 

During his time as a coach, he has coached various age groups at various clubs such as NEO FC (Oklahoma), WSA (Oklahoma), TSC (Oklahoma), Rogers State University D2 (Oklahoma), Arizona Soccer Club (Arizona) , Seton Catholic High School (Arizona), before attaining a position at ESA. 

Coach Whellyn has a bachelor’s degree in Community Counseling from Rogers State University and a Masters in Health & Kinesiology from Northeastern State University. 

Coach Diego Aguilar is the only coach on staff who has gone through Excel Soccer Academy’s system from beginning to end.

He has played at the highest level of club soccer for 14 years. Coach Diego began playing at the age of 4 with Santos FC all the way until the age of 9 when Excel Soccer Academy launched.

He has experience in the top leagues across Arizona, as well as playing in regional leagues. 

Before taking on the head coaching role for the 2013/2014 Boys teams, Coach Diego was an assistant coach for ESA’s U16 Boys. He has also been doing personal training for players alongside Coach Stryker. 

Phoenix native Coach Marco Aguilar discovered his passion for soccer at a young age and has been dedicated to the sport ever since. His journey began as a player with Santos F.C. and continued at Excel Soccer Academy, where his love for the game deepened and shaped his coaching philosophy.

As a coach, Marco brings a unique perspective, having experienced the system firsthand as both a player and mentor. He is passionate about fostering a positive and supportive environment where players can thrive both on and off the field.

Known for his ability to connect with players and inspire a love for the game, Coach Marco is a valued member of the Excel Soccer Academy coaching staff.

Committed to continuous learning, Coach Marco is currently pursuing his coaching licenses to stay at the forefront of modern soccer development. He takes pride in being part of a program that emphasizes community, culture, and player growth, and he strives to inspire the next generation of athletes to reach their full potential.

BIO COMING SOON

BIO COMING SOON

BIO COMING SOON

Coach Justin Summers began his soccer journey at the age of 5 in his home state of Texas.

Over the next 14 years, he played at a high level with prominent travel clubs in Las Cruces and Phoenix, and competed for Deer Valley High School, earning four years of varsity experience.

Coach Justin attended Arizona State University, continuing his competitive soccer involvement in local leagues. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for coaching, taking on coach/player duties and quickly recognizing the rewarding challenges of developing players.

Coach Justin has worked with players of all ages and skill levels, in both team and private training settings. He is the Head Coach of the U19 and U15 ESA Girls teams, Head Coach of the Cactus High School Boys Varsity program and led the Alhambra High School Girls Soccer program where he successfully graduated 25 seniors over five years, with 20 players receiving collegiate offers. He is also currently an Assistant Coach and Recruiter for Cochise College.

Coach Jeremy began his soccer journey at the age of 7 with Santos FC under the guidance of Coach Luis Dabo. He spent eight years developing his skills at Santos before joining Sereno Soccer Club, where he achieved remarkable success. During his time at Sereno, Coach Jeremy won two state championships, a regional championship, and helped his team achieve a #2 national ranking.

Originally born in Idaho, Coach Jeremy grew up in Tolleson, Arizona, where he excelled as a varsity soccer player at Tolleson Union High School for all four years. He was recognized as one of the top players in Arizona for both high school and club soccer, earning First Team All-State honors each year of his high school career.

Coach Jeremy joined Excel Soccer Academy in 2023 with a passion for sharing his extensive knowledge and experience with young athletes. His goal is to help players reach their collegiate aspirations and compete at the highest levels of the sport.

 

BIO COMING SOON

BIO COMING SOON

Coach Noe Ancira has been immersed in competitive soccer since the age of six, showcasing his talent and dedication throughout his youth career. 

He played for prominent clubs such as Cisco, Tuzos, and Sereno, before continuing his soccer journey at the collegiate level with Phoenix College.

In addition to his playing experience, Coach Noe is now shaping the next generation of players as a coach at Verrado High School. His passion for the game and commitment to player development make him a valued member of the Excel Soccer Academy team.

BIO COMING SOON

BIO COMING SOON