Academy Leadership
Mike Muñoz – Director of Methodology and Development
Muñoz, 38, spent the past two years as head coach of Toronto FC II (2020-21), where he guided the club to a 10-10-8 record during the 2021 USL League One regular season. Prior to joining Toronto FC II, Muñoz spent six seasons (2013-19) as part of the LA Galaxy organization, coaching the Galaxy U-14s, U-16s, U-18s and LA Galaxy II, in addition to serving as the LA Galaxy Academy Director. Notably, Muñoz was head coach of the LA Galaxy U-16 side that won the 2013-2014 USSDA National Championship and helped in the creation of the LA Galaxy Academy School Program.
In 2010, Muñoz worked with Vanney on the creation of the Real Salt Lake Arizona Academy, where Muñoz began his head coaching career for the U-16 Real Salt Lake-AZ. That season, he was named the U.S. Development Academy U-16 Coach of the Year after guiding RSL-AZ to a 16-8-4 overall record.
Prior to his coaching career, Muñoz played professionally with Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy. He was selected by Chivas in the third round of the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft. Muñoz played two seasons for Chivas USA, making his professional debut on Aug.13, 2005, against D.C. United. Muñoz joined the LA Galaxy after spending the 2007 season with USL-1 team California Victory. He made his first-team debut with the Galaxy on Sept. 6, 2008, coming on as a second-half substitute against Real Salt Lake.
A native of Bellflower, Calif., Muñoz graduated from Los Alamitos High School before earning a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned All-Pac-10 Second Team honors as a freshman and All-Pac-10 First Team honors during both his sophomore and junior seasons.
Shaun Tsakiris - Director of IDPs, LA Galaxy Academy U-17 Head Coach
In addition to coaching the LA U-17 squad, Shaun Tsakiris is currently the US MNT U20 Assistant Coach. He led the U.S. U-16 MYNT from 2016-18 and also led training camps for the U-17 MYNT in 2018. Before joining the Galaxy, Tsakiris was the Technical Director for Los Gatos United in Northern California and coached at Bay Area-club De Anza Force in the Development Academy, winning the West Conference U-13/14 Coach of the Year in 2014. He holds a U.S. Soccer “A” Coaching License as well as a Director of Coaching License.Prior to his coaching career, he spent 4 years playing soccer at UCLA and was drafted by the New England Revolution in the 2001 MLS Superdraft. He represented the U.S. U-20 Men’s Youth National Team at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria and also made appearances for the U-17 and U-18 MYNTs.
Academy Technical Staff
Jay Gomez - LA Galaxy Academy U-14 Head Coach
Jay Gomez played college soccer at the Cal State Fullerton and University of Washington before being drafted by the Seattle Sounders (2000 A-league). He has 20 years of coaching experience Coaching Collegiate, High School, Youth Soccer, and MLS Academies. He obtained his B.A. at the University of Washington and studied Performance Leadership at Cornell University. He holds his United States Youth A License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, and TOVO Barcelona T1 & T2.
Sam Al-Basith - LA Galaxy Academy U-13 Head Coach
Sam Al-Basith joined the LA Galaxy Academy in 2016. Sam has worked in the youth game here in Southern California for years, previously splitting his time between the LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy South Bay. Sam holds a USSF "B" License and is in the process of completing his UEFA "B". Sam played within the West Ham United and Cardiff City Academies from the ages of 12 to 18. Sam loves to watch matches, analyze things from a tactical perspective and is always looking for up and coming talents. Sam was born in London, England.
Jean Pierre Mujica - LA Galaxy Academy U-15 Head Coach
Jean Pierre (JP) Mujica has 13 years of coaching experience at the youth, collegiate, and amateur levels. From 2015-2020 he was a director at the San Francisco Glens, where he was also a part of the coaching staff for the Development Academy teams. During 2017-2019 JP was an assistant coach at City College of San Francisco, leading the team to a conference championship and state Final Four in 2018. In 2019, he was the head coach of the inaugural U23 team for El Farolito SC in San Francisco. JP was most recently the assistant technical director at Los Gatos United.
JP holds his USSF A Youth license, USSF Director of Coaching license, USC Premier Diploma, MBP School of Coaches Expert in Youth Methodology Certificate, and is completing his UEFA B license. During his playing career, JP played at the academy level for Sporting Cristal in Lima Peru, making his way up to preseason training with the first team. He then played 2 years professionally for other teams before moving to the United States.
Carlos Gomez - Head LA Galaxy Academy Performance Coach
Gomez started working with the LA Galaxy Academy in October 2019. Prior to working with the Academy, he served as a Sports Performance Intern for Galaxy II and the first team. Gomez also interned with EXOS LA were he learned from world class performance coaches and helped in the delivery of programming to NFL, MLB, NBA and Long Beach Poly Football.
Gomez is a former NCAA Division 1 Cross Country and Track and Field student-athlete from California State Northridge where he graduated with a Bachelors in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science in Spring 2019. Gomez is a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach by the NSCA and XPS (EXOS Performance Specialist). Currently, Gomez is pursuing a M.S. in Human Performance and continuing his competitive running career by racing half marathons.
Ian Feuer - LA Galaxy Academy Director of Goalkeeping
Ian Feuer spent his playing career in England with West Ham United of the English Premier League and Luton Town F.C. of the Championship. He also spent time with the U.S. Men's National Team and appeared for the U.S. Olympic team in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. His coaching career spans local and international experience, as a U.S. Men's National Team Goalkeeper Coach and former Goalkeeper Coach for the LA Galaxy first team from 2006-2013. He holds his US National Pro A and B coaching licenses as well as his National Goalkeeping license.
Jonathyn Lomeli - Head of LA Galaxy Academy Goalkeeping Coach
Jonathyn Lomeli joined the club's goalkeeping department as a goalkeeper coach for the LA Galaxy Academy Program in 2018. Lomeli has experience in working with various collegiate and academy programs. Lomeli holds a BA Degree in Science, USSF Coaching Licenses, NSCAA Goalkeeping Diplomas, FA Goalkeeping Conference Certificate, International Goalkeeper Coaches Conference Certificate and Congreso Internacional para Entrenadores de Porteros Rinat Certificate. As a player, Lomeli competed collegiately at the University of La Verne and continue his playing career with the USL's League Two side Los Angeles Misioneros FC. Lomeli was born in Los Angeles, California.