Meet Sam Valencia  

Western Washington Surf is proud to highlight the inspiring journey of Sam Valencia, one of our esteemed coaches, whose love for soccer began in humble yet profound beginnings. Born October 2, 2001, don’t let his age deceive you! Sam is a very accomplished coach by all standards and has already accomplished a lot in his coaching career, despite his age!

A Journey of Passion and Perseverance

Born of Mexican decent, his family moved to the United Sates, settling one hour east of Los Angeles. He grew up in a family of five half-siblings, including three brothers and two sisters, all of whom played a vital role in shaping his childhood.  Sam found his inspiration for soccer from his brother, who was in the military. One day, when Sam was five, his brother brought home a soccer ball, and from that moment, Sam’s life took a new direction. “I fell in love with the game and took to it like a fish does to water,” Sam said. Soccer became his obsession.

At just five years old, Sam joined the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) and played there for four years before moving on to his first club team at age nine—Inland Empire Surf. Reflecting on his time there, Sam said, “Inland Surf taught me the passion I have for the game and the life lessons I now try to teach my players.”

Sam’s early life was a balance of soccer and hard work. “We didn’t have a lot of money, so I had to help pay for my soccer and I worked for my dad’s business digging post holes for fences,” Sam recalls. “At 9 years old, I’d work after school, then travel an hour and a half through the Mojave Desert to training. I had to organize myself, doing homework in the car, eating on the way, and getting home late at night.” He continued this routine four times a week until the age of 15, a period he credits with teaching him perseverance, dedication, and the drive to pursue his soccer dreams.

Player to Coaching Leader

After playing for Inland Empire Surf until the age of 15, Sam faced a significant challenge when he moved to Nevada with his mother, forcing him to step away from the game he loved. However, soccer remained close to his heart. A year later, in 2016, Sam relocated to Seattle to live with his brother and began what would become a flourishing coaching career. At just 16, to help his brother with the rent, Sam started working at Arena Sports, where a chance introduction by a coworker connected him with NPSA (formerly Titans FC).

Sam’s leadership potential quickly became evident, and by 2018, he was appointed the Medina Location Director at Titans FC. His dedication to the sport and to helping young athletes thrive was undeniable, and in 2022, he took on a key role as Director for the North Puget Sound Goals in School program, a nonprofit enrichment initiative that brings soccer and educational opportunities to underserved communities and schools.

2022 marked a pivotal year for Sam. In addition to leading the nonprofit program, he also became one of the first coaches in the newly launched Titans FC Elite Program. Sam’s impact was immediate, as he took charge of two elite teams and quickly realized that elite coaching was his true calling. His passion and focus led to a full-time transition to elite coaching while continuing his work with the Goals in School program, which tripled in size under his leadership.

Finding his Pasión

In 2024, Sam took his passion to the next level by launching his own private training business, Pasión. “I wanted to create an affordable academy where kids could play with their friends in an exciting environment while developing their love for the game,” Sam explained. “At the end of the day, I want to give players the opportunity to be the best they can be.”

Looking ahead, Sam has big aspirations. He’s currently pursuing his USSF National “C” license and plans to earn his “B” and “A” licenses in the future. He aims to work in elite environments like ODP, Elite Academy Talent ID, and Surf Select. Sam has also expressed interest in becoming an age group director for Western Washington Surf.

As one of the youngest yet longest tenured coaches on our staff, Sam Valencia brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to our club. Please join us in welcoming Sam to the Western Washington Surf family. We are excited for the impact he will have on our players and program.

Welcome, Sam!