Bio

Sammy Lara has been coaching for 20 plus years in all facets of soccer. He played in high school and went on to play semi professional for Casal San Salvador in Los Angeles. Sammy has partnered with LA Galaxy, and has taken American soccer players to represent his training academy, LaraSoccer, to compete internationally in Spain and France. He coached three different high schools for a total of 15 seasons and earned Coach of the Year 9 out of the 15 seasons. Since then, he has worked with club teams in the High Desert and in San Bernardino County and has coached in Youth Soccer Clubs for the past 15 years. Sammy has experience as a Goalkeeper Trainer, Skills Technical Trainer, and is currently the Director of Coaches for the Legends IE Soccer Club. He has been with VVC as the Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach for the past 2 years and is excited to be the new Head Coach. Throughout Sammy’s career, he has earned the NCAA Regional and Advanced Diploma, NCAA National License/C License, E License, and National D Licence. He has won many Championships including State Cup, Regional Cup, and National Cup. As for Sammy’s philosophy in coaching, he likes to lead by example. He takes leadership incredibly seriously and through soccer, teaches discipline, respect, and responsibility. He strives for excellence and expects players to do the same in all they do. Soccer is his vehicle to teach players to act responsibly in all facets of their lives, to reach their academic and athletic goals, and to always be a positive example and an elite representation of their school and of themselves.