biography

Martin Roberto Zúñiga Hernández better known as "El Pulpo" Zúñiga (The Octopus), was born in Tampico (Mexico) and is a Mexican former goalkeeper. He is most recognized for his involvement in 1st division Mexican Soccer or Liga MX and Major League Soccer also known as MLS. He was capped with the Mexico national football team.

Martin made his debut in the 1992-93 season, on March 13, 1993 for Club Tigres UANL in a match against Deportivo Toluca. In the 1995 season he was moved to the Chivas de Guadalajara where he would win the summer of '97 championship and obtain a sub championship in the winter of '98. Being part of the national elections, Martin helped Mexico obtain 3rd place in the 1997 Copa América. After many seasons with the Chivas de Guadalajara, Martin joined Chivas USA in the MLS to end his career.

When El Pulpo played for Puebla

Las Chivas 1998, what a team and what a GK

Martin “Pulpo” Zuñiga was a leader in and out of the field

Christian Marin (Left) with Martin “Pulpo” Zuñiga (Right) working at a Soccer Event

Pulpo Zuniga during a match in the Liga MX

El Pulpo in action during a Liga MX with Puebla

El Pulpo showing leadership while representing Las Chivas

Martin “Pulpo” Zuñiga in action with Chivas de Guadalajara in Mexico

biography

Juan Manuel Martin Lima also know as Juanma, was born in Marbella (Malaga) where he started playing beach soccer. He became an important player for over 15 years for the Spain National Beach Soccer team serving them as their team captain. He has gone through such clubs as AC Milan Beach Soccer, AS Roma Beach Soccer and FC Barcelona. In this sport, he has been European Beach Soccer Champion with the Spanish National Team in 2008, 2009 and 2014.

He has also been World Runner-up in 2016, and the Spanish Beach Soccer Champion with the Andalusian National Team several times and runner-up of the European Beach Soccer League in 2014.

Juanma Spain beach soccer national team's captain

Juanma during the kick off representing Barcelona CF

Christian Marin with Juanma Lima

Romario Faria (Left) controls the ball next to Spain's Juan Manuel Martin Lima during their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup match on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro May 10, 2005

Juanma Lima receiving the MPV award and the Euro Cup Championship trophy

Juanma Lima during a Beach Soccer Tournament

Juanma Lima (Left) and Christian Marin practicing at the beach

Brazilian striker Faria fights for the ball with Spain's Lima during their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup match in Rio de Janeiro.

Juanma fighting a ball during Spain vs USA

biography

Manu Sánchez was born in Fuengirola (Malaga). He was a well-known central midfielder throughout all the Spanish divisions. After growing through the ranks of Real Madrid’s C and B teams, Manu joined Malaga CF where he played professionally in 1st division for 6 years helping Malaga CF qualify for the UEFA Cup quarter-finals by scoring the most important goal of his career against AEK Athens FC.

Manu Sanchez (Malaga CF) attacking Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)

David perez (Left) Christian Marin (center) with Manu Sanchez (Right) at a Beach Soccer Practice in Marbella

Manu Sánchez corre junto a Iván Helguera, en presencia de Íker Casillas

Manu Sanchez chasing Ronaldinho during a Malaga CF - Barcelona match

Manu Sánchez (Center), Chengue Morales (Left) and Gato Romero (Right) during a Malaga CF practice

Manu Sanchez (Malaga CF) fighting a fall against Ivan Helguera (Real Madrid) during a game from La Liga

Josemi and Manu Sanchez celebrating a goal with Malaga CF

Manu Sanchez and Christian Marin during a Beach Soccer practice in Marbella

biography

Juan Rodriguez was born in Málaga, and just like many players such as Manu Sanchez, Christian Marin, Javi Guerra and Emilio Guerra grown through the ranks of Málaga CF. Rodríguez first played with the first team early into 2003 for a total of three seasons.

Juan Rodriguez took a step forward into his career by signing for Deportivo de La Coruña, where he had a huge competition in his position with players as Roberto Acuña, Aldo Duscher and Lionel Scaloni. After five years, 160 appearances and 11 goals; Juan Rodriguez decided to move a little closer from home and signed for Getafe where he played for five years and 107 appearances becoming one of the most effective defensive center midfielder in the history of the Club.

Juan Rodriguez (getafe) fedending James rodriguez (real madrid)

Christian Marin (Left) with Juan Rodriguez (Right)

Juan Rodriguez during a La LIGA match against Villarreal

Juan Rodriguez (Getafe) defending Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid)

Juan Rodriguez during a practice at Getafe

Juan Rodriguez winning a ball during La LIGA match representing deportivo la Coruna

Juan Rodriguez celebrating a Goal with Malaga CF

biography

Born in Germany, Jermaine Jones came up through the German club system and represented Germany at the U21 and senior level. Throughout his career in the Bundesliga, he played for Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, and Schalke. He later made the switch to the United States where he played for the New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids and the LA Galaxy. He made his debut for the USA national team in 2010 and played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, scoring an amazing goal against Portugal.

Jermaine Jones (USA) winning a ball from Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) during the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Jermaine Jones visiting Coach Christian at one Elite Soccer PK practice

Jermaine Jones Celebrating a Goal against Portugal in the 2014 World Cup

Jermaine Jones dribbling the line during a LA Galaxy match

Jermaine Jones during a MLS match with Colorado Rapids

Jermaine Jones cutting an advanced from Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) during the 2014 FIFA World Cup

biography

Born in Enugu, Nigeria, Chinedu Obasi started his football career at River Lane Youth Club Enugu and JC Raiders in his homeland country. Throughout his prestigious career, Chinedu Obasi has played as a forward in the Norwegian Tippeligaen Division for Lyn, as well as for Hoffenheim and Schalke in the Bundesliga, AIK in the Swedish Allsvenskan division as well as the national team of his home country of Nigeria. Obasi won a silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics and played at the 2010 World Cup. As of 2011, Chinedu Obasi has over 200 career goals.

Chinedu Obasi with Thiago Silva (Chelsea FC) and Kevin-Prince Boateng (FC Schalke 04)

Chinedu Obasi after Training with Coach Christian in one of his visits to USA

Chinedu Obasi during a FC Schalke 04 game

Obasi during a preparation match before FIFA World Cup 2014

Chinedu Obasi celebrating a goal

biography

Eric Wynalda was one of the first Americans to play professionally in Europe before returning to his home country in 1996 to play in Major League Soccer (MLS) and scoring the first goal in the league's history. Until 2008, he was the all-time leading goalscorer for the United States national team where he participated in three World Cups, one of only three U.S. players (the others being Tab Ramos and Marcelo Balboa) to have earned that honor at that time.

Wynalda retired from the U.S. National Team as its all-time leading scorer with 34 goals in 106 appearances. He was the sole owner of the record until 2007, when Landon Donovan tied the record with a penalty kick goal against Mexico in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Marcelo Balboa (Left), Eric Wynalda (Center) and Alexi Lalas (Right), Prior to the 1998 World Cup competition in France

Sept. 15, 1996, LA Galaxy’s Mauricio Cienfuegos (10) pursues San Jose Clash’s Eric Wynalda during a MLS soccer game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena

Eric Wynalda (Left) during a Soccer Practice with Christian Marin (Right)

Eric Wynalda fighting a ball during a World Cup match against Mexico

June 18, 1995. USA players, John Harkes (6), Thomas Dooley (middle) and Eric Wynalda (11) celebrate Wynalda’s goal against Mexico at RFK Stadium in Washington.

Eric Wynalda during a FIFA World Cup match representing USA

Eric Wynalda celebrates after scoring

biography

Javi Guerra was born in Vélez-Málaga, Andalusia. After beginning professionally with lowly Motril CF in Segunda División B, he appeared sporadically for neighboring Cádiz CF in the following season, after which he moved to La Liga with Valencia CF as a forward.

He added 112 matches and 40 goals in La Liga, with Valencia CF and Real Valladolid. After playing for many years in Spain, Javi Guerra signed with Premier League club Cardiff City for one season and returned to Spain to finish his Soccer Career in Málaga and Rayo Vallecano. Javi Guerra's twin brother, Emilio, was also a footballer and a forward.

Javi Guerra (Rayo Vallecano) Iñigo Martinez (Real Sociedad)

Player from Malaga CF Academy posing after winning a tournament. Christian Marin (Left) with the twins Emilio (Center Left) and Javi Guerra (Right)

Javi Guerra (Rayo Vallecano) fights a 50-50 ball with Alvaro (Getafe)

Javi Guerra fighting for a ball at a Premier League match with Cardiff City

Javi Guerra seconds before scoring a goal in La Liga with rayo vallecano

Javi Guerra playing with Malaga CF at La Liga vs Atletico Bilbao

Javi Guerra at a Premier League match with Cardiff City

Javi Guerra striking a ball during a Rayo vallecano game

Javi Guerra (Real Valladolid) shooting on goal during a La Liga Match against RC Celta de Vigo

Enzo Rocco (Espanyol) Javi Guerra (Rayo Vallecano)

Javi Guerra scoring against Salamanca