He's a pretty cool dude, if you ask me at least.

Jess is a Eugene local, having played with Pelada for several years while engaging with the club's Coach Development Academy. Jess has gone back and forth across the country for work and school, but has ended back up with Pelada while also working at the UO. Jess loves helping players find their voice and their confidence both on and off the field, and believes wholeheartedly that teams work best together when every player works to lift each other up. Off the field, Jess has an HBA in Communication and is the parent to two cats. Coaching Badges: USSF Grassroots Contact: coach.jess@peladafa.org

Grew up in Beaverton, played for Jesuit HS (Portland) winning two state titles. Played GK at UNLV before severe back injury. 30 years of experience at all levels whether it’s playing or officiating. Current role with the club is working with goalkeepers (both older and youngers) while coaching. Highest accomplishment would be officiating the Portland Thorns vs Canadian Women’s National team and MLS All Stars vs Bayern Munich in 2015. Favorite thing non soccer related is video games, travelling, spending time with family and beach. Coaching Badges: USSF C License, Former US Soccer National AR/Regional Referee Contact: coach.ben@peladafa.org

Alexander Muvua is a coach for Pelada from Nairobi, Kenya. He coaches boys of all age groups and has been with the club for over a decade. Alexander's favorite coaching moments are seeing kids he coached becoming coaches in the club and playing alongside them on the same adult teams, watching their incredible abilities and game knowledge on the field. A fun fact about Alexander is that he can dance with a ball on the top of his head for an hour or so. He has a 2-year college degree and is passionate about the club's philosophy of providing a fun and nurturing environment for kids of all levels and abilities, without tryouts, hierarchies, or divisions. Coaching Badges: USSF Contact: coach.alex@peladafa.org

I grew up and graduated high school in Cottage Grove, Oregon, playing soccer through it all and spent two seasons at Lane Community College. I've worked on the media and marketing team with Lane United FC since 2022 and began coaching for Pelada FA in 2023, assistant coaching numerous teams and earning my Grassroots License. I started assistant coaching at South Eugene High School in 2025. My goal is to bring a positive and energetic presence to training and have that reflect on the players, because I believe the deep love for soccer will be made training as a team, building strong relationships with one another. I also work at the local soccer shop, Tursi Soccer and take photos for numerous teams in the soccer community. Coaching Badges: USSF Grassroots License Contact: coach.shane@peladafa.org

Mark Nash is an assistant coach in the high school program at Pelada, specifically with Independencia and the futsal program. He is also a founding member of Pelada and a current board member. Nash graduated from the University of Oregon with a BS in Computer Information Science in 1994 and an Executive MBA in 2009. He played various sports growing up, including soccer, football, baseball, golf, basketball, and track & field, and earned varsity letters for soccer in his junior and senior years of high school. After suffering two torn ACLs, he retired from soccer and now plays tennis and pickleball to stay active. Nash has been coaching Pelada on and off since 2016, and he finds joy in watching a kid smile when they finally have success after working hard on a new technique, skill, or concept. A fun fact about Mark is that despite being half Korean, he doesn't know how to use chopsticks. His goal is to positively influence kids' growth and love of the game of soccer. Coaching Badges: USSF Contact: Coach.Mark@PeladaFA.org

"I've been playing all my life (with the exception of a few years when I was dumb in my mid twenties when I thought I needed to grow up). I played competitive club till I was 19 while playing ODP in California, 3 year Varsity in high School, Adult amateur leagues in San Francisco and Marin County and City College of San Francisco. I have coached my brothers in beach soccer in Rio de Janeiro, my son in rec. in Berkeley, and now the youth of Eugene. It is a pleasure and my favorite part of the day to pass on what I've learned." Coaching Badges: USSF Grassroots Contact: coach.bernardo@peladafa.org

I first met Pelada founder Joey Garah in 2011 when I joined his, then KidSports, U14 team. I played the next 6 years for Joey, growing as a player simultaneous with the budding Pelada FA. I returned to soccer as a coach in 2024 with a passion for athletic development and competition. My experience as both player and coach has taught me that soccer is unique in youth sport for its effective fostering of dynamic peer-led communication and problem solving. I am driven to continue discovering the game alongside my athletes, just as Joey did with us more than a decade ago. Coaching Badges: USSF Grassroots Contact: coach.joska@peladafa.org

I grew up in Rome, Georgia, and have played soccer for as long as I can remember. During middle and high school, I played competitively for Atlanta area clubs before going on to play Division I soccer at Georgia State University. I later transferred to the University of Georgia, where I completed my undergraduate degree, and I am now in Eugene pursuing my PhD in Earth Sciences at the University of Oregon. As a coach, I want players to feel challenged, supported, and excited to keep improving. My coaching philosophy centers on building strong technical foundations, developing confidence, and helping each player better understand the game. I believe players grow the most when they feel encouraged to take risks, learn from mistakes, and trust themselves on the field. I hope to create a positive environment where players work hard, support their teammates, and continue building a lifelong love for soccer. Coaching Badges: USSF Grassroots License Contact: coach.beck@peladafa.org

I am a very experienced soccer player. I have a lot of knowledge on the sport because of how long I played. When coaching young players I think it is very important for them to learn the basic knowledge behind this sport and I try to leave them with good lasting impression so they can keep coming back to this sport I love. It is a pleasure and my favorite part of the day to pass on what I've learned. Coaching Badges: USSF Grassroots 7v7 Contact: coach.chase@peladafa.org

Adam Jones is a U13-U19 Boys' teams coach at Pelada FA, with a focus on the technical and possessive aspects of the game to bring out the best in his players. He played recreational soccer as a child and participated in extreme sports during college and adulthood, including mountain biking and downhill skiing. Adam has a BS in Environmental Science and has been coaching for four years. His proudest coaching moments are when he sees the team's training efforts come to fruition during a game, and the players' pride and understanding on their faces. A fun fact about Adam is that he loves dogs, anything with an engine and gears, and sailing. Adam started as a volunteer coach in a rec league and has a passion for coaching, appreciating the "everybody plays" ethos at Pelada, and being part of something bigger than impacting young players toward their goals. Coaching Badges: USSF Contact: coach.adam@peladafa.org

With two decades of coaching experience, Zach Lazar brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and expertise to our club. His diverse coaching background spans every level of the game, including youth recreation, youth club, high school varsity, adult recreational, adult semi-pro and college club soccer. This extensive journey allows him to understand the unique developmental needs of players at every stage of their soccer careers. Coaching Badges: USSF D License, Ms in Education Contact: coach.zach@peladafa.org

Abby Hollingshead is originally from Eugene, Oregon, and has been playing soccer since the age of three. She brings a deep passion for the game and a wealth of personal experience to her role as an assistant coach at Pelada, where she works primarily with the girls' teams. Abby joined Pelada as a player in 2017 and, after six years with the club, transitioned into a coaching role in 2024, motivated by the impact the club and its coaches had on her development. She graduated from Churchill High School with three years of Varsity experience before going on to play collegiate soccer as a goalkeeper in the United Kingdom, where she attends Northumbria University and has received a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Exercise Nutrition. She is currently pursuing a Master's in Strength and Conditioning. Abby's coaching philosophy is rooted in helping every player reach their fullest potential while finding genuine joy in the game. She believes that when players love what they do, everything else follows. Coaching Badges: USSF Grassroots License Contact: coach.abby@peladafa.org