OUR COACHING STAFF IN FOCUS
A professional training team aligned to our unique values and committed to the unparalleled development of our youth athletes.
SONNY GUADARRAMA
DIRECTOR OF SOCCER • FOUNDER
Sonny Alejandro Guadarrama, known as Sonny G, is a retired professional international soccer player, bilingual Major League Soccer sports announcer, community leader, coach, and successful entrepreneur from Austin, Texas.
A two-time All-American, he is widely recognized to have had one of the most successful soccer careers to come out of the greater Austin area. As a young athlete, Sonny played for both the United States Youth National Team and Mexico’s Youth National Team. That led him to a successful 11 year professional stint in Mexico’s La Liga, where he was recognized for his skilled play. He then continued his career in America in the United Soccer League for an additional 4 years.
After retiring, Sonny focused on promoting soccer within the Austin hispanic community and continues to serve as an ambassador for the sport he loves at both the local and national levels.
In 2022, his passion for futbol led him to found his own private soccer school, Sonny Guadarrama Academy (SGA). It’s the realization of his dream to provide a high-performance training and academic environment for Austin’s soccer youth. SGA’s unique program features a blend of community service, educational innovation, and next-level soccer training all in a single place for student-athletes and families. When he’s not working, Sonny enjoys painting, spending time with his family, and connecting with his community at large.
CHRIS STEPHENSON
HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH
Chris Stephenson brings a wealth of experience, including being a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, a NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and a former NCAA D1 athlete.
With 10 years of experience in personal and fitness training and his passion for sports and fitness, we are confident that Chris Stephenson will continue to elevate our program to new heights.
EVER GUZMAN
PRO SOCCER COACH
Éver Guzmán is an accomplished professional soccer player with a rich history in the sport, including being part of Mexico’s national U-17 FIFA World Cup winning team. He made headlines as the youngest-ever player to start with Atletico Morelia at just 16 years old. After a decade at Atletico Morelia, Éver showcased his talent as a leading scorer over three successful seasons with USL side San Antonio FC, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer. His career continued with a stint at Hartford Athletic, where he made a notable impact in the abbreviated 2020 season.
Throughout his journey, Éver has built an impressive resume with significant contributions in domestic and international leagues.
With a wealth of experience as both a standout youth player and a professional athlete, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge and skills with student-players at SGA. His journey from a young talent in Mexico to a seasoned professional in the United States and Guatemala exemplifies his dedication to the sport and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of players.
KIT VELA
MINDSET COACH
Kit Vela is an accomplished soccer coach and co-director of the Vela Soccer Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. With extensive experience coaching at various competitive levels, including the club level, Pac-10, and Mountain West Conference, Kit has made a significant impact on the sport. She served as the head coach for the University of New Mexico Lobos Women’s Soccer Program, where her leadership and expertise were recognized through multiple accolades, including being named Mountain West Coach of the Year in 2001, 2010, and 2014. Kit is known for fostering a competitive and supportive environment that enables athletes to reach their full potential.
A former player herself, Kit competed in soccer throughout the 1970s, which fueled her passion for coaching and player development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social/Cultural Anthropology from Brown University, which enriches her approach to coaching by emphasizing teamwork, culture, and personal growth.
KEKUTAH MANNEH
PRO SOCCER COACH
Kekuta Manneh is a professional soccer player who started playing in youth academies in Gambia before moving to the U.S. to play for different clubs. He played his first professional game with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2013 and has since played for several teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) including Columbus Crew SC, FC Cincinnati, and New England Revolution. In 2021, he joined Austin FC as a free agent for their first MLS season. On February 7, 2022, it was announced that Manneh had signed with USL Championship club San Antonio FC. Throughout his career, Manneh has shown his scoring abilities and versatility on the field, making him a valuable asset to the teams he has played for.
Off the field, Manneh has demonstrated a strong work ethic and determination, continuously seeking new opportunities to grow and develop as a player. His journey from youth academies in Gambia to playing professional soccer in the U.S. reflects his passion for the sport and his commitment to achieving success at the highest level. As he continues his career with San Antonio FC, Manneh aims to contribute his skills and experience to the team while pursuing his aspirations in soccer.
ROBERT MUELLER
PRO GOALKEEPER COACH
ROBERT MUELLER is better known by “RAM”.
He was born in Aschaffenburg, Germany. As a youth, he played on the Capital Soccer Club in Austin, Texas, and was selected by the Texas Olympic Development Program. He was recruited by the University of Memphis where he played Division I collegiate soccer as a goalkeeper. He has a B.S. Kinesiology degree and a U.S. Coaching Soccer License. After college, he played for the Austin Aztecs and Houston Dutch Lions. He worked as an Assistant Goalkeeper coach at the University of Montevallo. He also served as the Assistant Men’s Soccer and Goalkeeper coach at Weber International University.
As a Goalkeeper coach with Appa Aguilas, Mueller worked with several players that eventually signed professional soccer contracts. Mueller has also worked with soccer academies that specialize in Goalkeeper training. Mueller currently works as a Coach and Goalkeeper trainer for SGA Academy where he continues to help others develop their soccer skills and help them reach their full potential in the sport of soccer.
RAUL GUZMAN
PRO SOCCER COACH
COMING SOON …
ELVIS LOSSA
SOCCER COACH
COMING SOON …
INTERESTED IN JOINING TEAM SGA?
We’re looking for rockstars. If you’re a pro and you want to help deliver The SGA Difference to player / students in the Austin area, then contact us today.