In this powerful episode of the 3four3 Podcast, Gary Kleiban hosts Oscar Reyes, a Santa Ana native, former soccer player, and visionary club operator.
Oscar, who grew up in the vibrant Latino soccer community of Santa Ana, shares his story of playing in competitive local leagues and training in Europe, only to return with a mission to uplift disenfranchised talent.
Through his nonprofit, La Academia, Oscar addresses the three biggest barriers in youth soccer: the high cost of elite programs, lack of local access, and limited knowledge about pathways to college or professional soccer.
Charging just $2,500 annually—compared to $4,000+ at other clubs—La Academia keeps costs low by operating without profit, ensuring accessibility for Santa Ana’s youth.
Oscar discusses the systemic exclusion of Latino players from mainstream soccer ecosystems, drawing parallels with his own experiences and those of players like his sister, a Mexican national team star, and Frankie Amaya, an LAFC midfielder. He critiques the pay-to-play model, where clubs prioritize revenue over talent development, and calls out the lack of interest from U.S. Soccer and MLS in scouting diverse communities like Santa Ana.
His vision extends to establishing a professional team in Santa Ana, creating a legacy that provides local players a direct path to the pros without leaving their community.
This episode is a must-listen for coaches, parents, and players passionate about changing American soccer. Learn how Oscar is breaking down barriers and why education and competition are key to unlocking the potential of America’s largest soccer demographic.
00:00 Intro
06:43 The Demographic that is Disenfranchised in American Soccer
07:36 Cases of Great Players Not Making it in the US
09:38 Oscar Reyes History
13:48 The Mexican Leagues in SoCal
17:57 On Maricarmen
19:49 Frankie Amaya
20:46 The 3 Barriers, and How “La Academia” Addresses Them
25:00 The Monopoly Keeps Certain Demos Away
27:25 Acid Test for Who is Legit
29:14 What is the Solution?
33:18 Pay to Play Reality and How to Subsidize
38:13 Political Attacks
43:10 A Pro Team in Santa Ana – Longer Term Plans
45:21 Territorial Rights
51:43 Staying Power for Mexican-Americans in MLS
52:19 It’s Scary to Speak the Truth
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