Directors

Jose Hector Diaz

Academy Director

J Hector Diaz began his coaching career at 15 years old, where he served as the assistant coach for Aztecs FC. Four years later in 2005, he was promoted to a head coaching position, where he assisted, recruited, and trained a U14 to U18 team.

In 2011, Diaz joined Chula Vista FC as the Academy Director, where he oversaw player pathways and advancement through high-caliber training opportunities and coaching.

Finding great success with his teams in multiple age groups, Diaz was an integral part of the club’s adult team participation in multiple Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups (2015, 2017) – the oldest professional soccer tournament in the United States.

Routinely attending matches and keeping close contact with the club’s staff, Diaz primary knowledge stands in his ability to guide players on a pathway to professional teams or college athletics. In addition, Diaz prioritizes his passion for the game of soccer and pride for the city of Chula Vista on a daily basis, making it a focal point for the club’s methodology and community mindset.

Eden Esquerre

Technical Director

Developing under FC Barcelona’s La Masia and the youth academy at Villarreal CF, former professional player Eden Esquerre has devoted his life to the game of soccer.

Formerly working under David Villa’s DV7 Academy, he joined Chula Vista at the beginning of 2020 as the Technical Director.

Under his position, Esquerre develops weekly training programs centered around the club’s methodology of play and shares them with all of the club’s coaches. In addition, he manages coach meetings centered around a variety of age groups to discuss technical and tactical development for players at different stages of their game.

In addition to his responsibilities as Technical Director, Esquerre is the head coach for both the 2008 and 2009 Boys MLS Next teams.

Fernando Mares

Director of Operations

Currently serving as our Assistant Academy Director, Fernando Mares has been with Chula Vista FC since his teenage years, where he played with our youth competitive teams. After completing his education in Mexico and coaching both high school and elementary school female and male soccer teams, he rejoined our club as a coach and director in 2019.

In July of 2021, Mares transitioned into a coaching position for the U17 Boys MLS Next squad. Currently, Mares is the head coach for Chula Vista’s U16 Boys MLS Next team, and collaborates with the club’s Elite Academy and MLS Next teams in sports management, administration, and business development.

Ruben Cano

Director of Coaching

Serving as our Director of Coaching, Ruben Cano’s mastery revolves around sports management and soccer methodology. Based in Madrid, Spain, Cano’s reputation as both a recognized and respected instructor has allowed him to share his seminars to fellow coaches in over 24 countries around the world, including China, South Korea, Colombia, and the United States.

In addition to instructing, he has previously worked with the Spanish Football Federation (Federación Española de Fútbol) and Real Madrid CF, amongst many other clubs and international leagues.

Joining Chula Vista FC in 2017, Cano works closely with our coaches to enhance training sessions and methodology that maximize player development and competitiveness.