Meet Our Coaches

Technical Midfield & Attacking Specialist

Ismail ‘Susu’ Adam

Born and raised in the South Bay Area, I played youth soccer with Nationally ranked Santa Clara Sports 91 Green mainly as a central midfielder, with experience in wide positions. At Sporting, I achieved 4 Premier State Cup Championships, 1 Regional Cup Championship, 1 Surf Cup Championship, and a National League appearance.

Stanford, Georgetown, Saint Mary’s College of California, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Santa Barbara, San Jose State, and the University of San Francisco were all schools that were actively recruiting me.

I committed to Saint Mary’s College of California where I was a 4 year starter at a top 10 program in NCAA Division 1 soccer. During my time at Saint Mary’s, the program achieved 1 top 10 ranking, 2 top 25 rankings, and a post season run that would take us all the way to the quarter finals (Elite 8) of the NCAA tournament.

I joined Sacramento Republic in March of 2016. One season of professional football was all I would get as I battled health issues that brought an end to my professional soccer career.

I began my coaching journey in 2016 with Sunnyvale Soccer Club, building my ability to make kids of all levels fall in love with the game. After two years, I transitioned to San Jose Earthqauke’s Academy where I coached at the premier level of U11, U14, and U17 teams. Two years later, I took on a new challenge at one of the biggest clubs in the country and joined De Anza Force. At Force I took the 2012 and 2009 premier teams on to win league, State, and Regional titles.

Technical Defensive Specialist

Naji Karaman

Naji Korman, a Bay Area native, is not only a highly accomplished soccer coach but also a talented player with an impressive background. Growing up in the region, he honed his skills with De Anza Force Soccer Club, where he played from 2004 to 2008, contributing to their success and sharpening his game. His exceptional abilities caught the eye of SC Cambuur, a professional Dutch soccer club, leading him to join their ranks from 2008 to 2010 and gain valuable experience at the pro level.

Naji's playing journey continued as he further honed his skills at West Valley College from 2010 to 2012 and competed at a high level in college soccer with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in NCAA Division 1 from 2012 to 2014. Alongside his playing career, Naji has also made significant strides as a coach. He has worked with the San Jose Quakes Academy and the De Anza Force Soccer Club, sharing his wealth of experience and tactical knowledge with aspiring young players.

Known for his sharp football IQ and impressive accuracy in passing, crossing, and shooting, Naji brings a unique blend of expertise and skills to his coaching approach. He prioritizes high-level decision making on the field and instills a sense of accountability and responsibility in each player he works with. Naji's dedication to excellence and his ability to help players become the best versions of themselves have earned him great respect within the soccer community.