Our Leaders Off the Field

Sanjoy is a soccer professional with a proven track record of success. He holds an 'E' coaching license from Maryland, where he guided multiple youth teams to victory. His coaching acumen is evident in the career trajectories of his former players, including those who have advanced to the US Olympic Development programs and a Division I athlete at the University of Michigan. While currently shifting his focus towards mentorship and promotion, Sanjoy remains deeply passionate about the sport. He is eager to contribute to the Idaho Soccer Foundation by empowering underprivileged youth to reach their full potential. 

 From the streets of Ireland to the highest levels of competition, James's football journey began at age four in a family where the sport reigned supreme. As the second of seven children, he learned the game through daily street soccer battles, developing a unique skillset that would later be refined by experienced professionals and lead him to senior-level play by sixteen.  Today, this FAI-certified coach shares his expertise with players of all ages and abilities.  He instills the importance of fundamental skills, like first touch and vision, while nurturing a love for the game.  James, shaped by his working-class upbringing, is a passionate advocate for accessible football, believing in its transformative power to build confidence and community. 

Manuel joins the Idaho Soccer Foundation with a unique blend of marketing expertise and a deep appreciation for the beautiful game. For the past 10 years, he's honed his marketing skills that have helped brands connect with their audiences. His own experience on the soccer field, from high school to community pick-up games, has instilled in him a deep appreciation for the sport's camaraderie and joy. He's excited to bring his passion and his professional skills to the Foundation.

I was born in Guatemala in 1966, in a place where soccer wasn’t just a sport—it was a way of life. Like many kids in my country, my first soccer ball was probably half-inflated, patched up, or even improvised from whatever we could find. But it didn’t matter. Whether we were on a dusty field, a rocky alleyway, or the concrete of the street, we played with passion. We played because we loved it. For me, soccer became my first teacher, my first community, and the first place I learned what it meant to give everything for something you care about.

Street soccer in Guatemala was raw and beautiful. No referees, no time limits—just heart. You learned quick thinking, ball control, and toughness, not because someone taught you, but because if you didn’t, you’d lose the ball—or worse, your pride. Those early years shaped my instincts and my love for the game. It was a way to belong. It was how we challenged each other, how we bonded, and how we survived.

Years later, I moved to Idaho, where I attended NNU and graduated with a bachelor's degree in science. Idaho had a different culture and climate, but soccer continued to be a significant part of my life.  It didn’t take long before I found the SISL League and stepped into a new chapter of my journey. The league offered structure, competition, and community. I played in several divisions, each one testing and refining my skills. Over the years, I was fortunate to win multiple championships—not just for the trophies, but for the sense of team and shared purpose they represented.

Soccer didn’t just stay with me as a player. It evolved into a role I never expected to love so much—coaching. I began working with children, then junior high and high school players. Coaching was different—it required patience, vision, and the ability to guide rather than lead by example. But it was deeply rewarding. Helping young players develop confidence, discipline, and love for the game felt like giving back to the sport that had given me so much.

Through soccer, I built lifelong friendships. Some of those friends eventually became clients and even investors in my real estate business, Silva Realty, LLC. It’s funny how the trust and teamwork you build on the field can translate off it. In many ways, soccer has become and remains a part of almost every aspect of my life.

Now, at 58, I still lace up my boots. Maybe not as quickly, and maybe I feel it more the next day, but I still play because the game is part of me. Soccer has been my anchor through change, my teacher in resilience, and my doorway to opportunities I never imagined. It’s where I learned how to push through when things got hard, how to lead and be led, and how to build community wherever I go.

Looking back, I realize soccer has never just been a game. It has been a thread that weaves through every chapter of my life—from the dusty alleys of Guatemala to the fields of Idaho. And for as long as I can play, coach, or simply be around the game, I’ll keep showing up—because this is who I am.