Coaches
The heart of Ginga Soccer — passionate, experienced, and ready to inspire.
Fabio Aguiar
Head Coach & Founder
I’m Fabio, originally from São Paulo, Brazil. My passion for soccer began in childhood, spending countless afternoons playing with friends. At 14, I joined a youth team in Minas Gerais, then turned pro at 16, playing professionally for 4 years.
In 2014, back in São Paulo, I began transitioning my career to become a soccer coach. I graduated in sports sciences and physical education. During college, I started coaching kids and teens, now with over 8 years of coaching experience. This experience has helped me understand children better and improve their skills both individually and as a team.
In 2019, I moved to Los Angeles, where I founded Ginga Soccer Usa Academy. My goal is to inspire kids and teens to play soccer, whether for fun or professionally. Bringing with me the flair and creativity of the Brazilian soccer style, known for its skillful play, freedom, and artistic flair, I hope to instill it in my players.
Beto dos Santos
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Beto dos Santos
Age:
Country: Brazil
I’m Coach Beto, originally from Brazil, where I started my soccer journey with Santos FC Juniors. I went on to play professionally for over 15 years in teams across Brazil, Mexico, and the United States — including Club América’s reserve team, Houston Dynamos, Dallas Sidekicks, and Los Angeles Lazers. I played in 134 consecutive professional matches and was honored as a 2-time MISL All-Star and 2-time CISL Champion.
I’ve been coaching since the early 1990s, working with players of all levels — from beginners to some of the top youth talent in the country. Over the years, I’ve led teams to championships like the Dallas Cup and served as a coach for the ADIDAS ESP program, training the top 100 youth players in the U.S. I’m currently Head Coach at LA Breakers FC and proud to also be part of the Ginga Soccer USA coaching team, where I bring my experience and passion to every session. For me, coaching isn’t just about the game — it’s about building character, confidence, and lifelong skills through soccer.
Lucas Lyra
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Lucas Lyra
Age: 26
Country: Brazil
I’m Lucas Lyra, a former soccer player from Brazil, where I played for Botafogo F.R Academy and Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro. I moved to the United States on a scholarship to play for Cloud County Community College, where I spent three seasons and helped the team reach 5th place in the national rankings. I graduated with a degree in Wind Energy & Business Management and later transferred to Westcliff University, where I’m currently finishing my Bachelor’s in Business & Sports Management. During my time there, I played for both the soccer and futsal teams.
For the past four years, I’ve been passionate about coaching soccer. I started as an assistant coach at PSC 96 Club in Santa Monica, where we reached the semifinals of the California State Cup. After that, I worked as a camp coach for Sand & Surf in Manhattan Beach and earned my US Soccer Federation C License. In 2023, I began working as a soccer coach and methodology developer at Ginga Soccer USA, where I continue coaching today. Currently, I am also a coach with the Los Angeles Galaxy, one of the biggest soccer clubs in the United States.
Luis Felipe Portes
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Luis Felipe Portes
Age: 31
Country: Brazil
Hi, I’m coach Luis Felipe and have 16 years of experience in soccer, including 7 years playing professionally. I have a degree in Physical Education and a postgraduate specialization in Functional Training.
I started working with soccer during college and spent three years coaching there. For the past year and a half, I’ve been coaching in the United States. I’m passionate about coaching because I believe soccer is more than just a sport — it teaches discipline, resilience, and the importance of teamwork. It pushes us to grow, stay focused, and become better not just as athletes, but as people.
Kelsey
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Kelsey
Age: 31
Country: United States
I’m Kelsey Glaser. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, I’ve called Los Angeles home for the past eight years. My journey with soccer began at three years old. I spent my childhood playing in clubs throughout Ohio. I continued competing through high school and ultimately played club soccer at Ohio University, where I served as team president during my senior year.
After several years in the corporate world working in advertising, I made the decision in 2024 to follow my passion and transition into coaching. I believe soccer is more than just a game—it’s a powerful foundation for building life skills like teamwork, discipline, and resilience. I’m passionate about helping young players grow, not only in their technical ability and game sense but also in their confidence and love for the sport.
Olympio Naufel
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Olympio Naufel
Age: 18
Country: Brazil
I was born in Brazil and raised in Los Angeles. I speak four languages and have been coaching with Ginga Soccer for about a year now. I’ve always loved working with kids — being closer to their age makes it easier to connect with them, both on and off the field. Whether it’s helping them improve their touch or just giving advice about life, I really enjoy being part of their growth.
Outside of coaching, I’m a semi-professional soccer player chasing my dream of going pro. I got into coaching as a way to stay involved in the game from a different angle — it’s helped me grow not just as a player, but as a person too. Soccer’s always been my passion, and now I get to share that with the next generation.
Marcus Vinicius
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Marcus Vinicius
Age: 40
Country: Brazil
From the streets of Rio de Janeiro, where soccer is more than a sport but a way of life, my passion was born. Since childhood, I’ve lived and breathed the game—its rhythm, its joy, and its power to connect people. That passion guided me into the study of physical education and human behavior, a path that has shaped over 22 years of dedication to understanding how movement and mindset transform lives.
Now, at 40, I’ve joined Ginga Soccer to unite my lifelong love for the game with my academic knowledge and professional experience. My mission is not only to improve physical performance but to uncover the strength of the mind behind the athlete. Every step of my journey reflects an unshakable commitment to growth and an eagerness to inspire others to discover their fullest potential—on the field and in life.
Sanderson Fernandes
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Sanderson Fernandes
Age: 26
Country: Brazil
After retiring from playing, I transitioned into coaching, driven by the desire to remain connected to the beautiful game and to share my knowledge with the next generation. My coaching philosophy focuses not only on developing technical and tactical skills, but also on shaping strong character and discipline in young athletes.
I strongly believe that sport has the power to transform lives, and I am grateful to contribute to my players’ growth both on and off the field, guiding them to become better footballers and better individuals.
João Paulo
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João Paulo
Age: 39
Country: Brazil
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