Meet Edgardo Becerra

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Edgardo Becerra. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Edgardo below.

Edgardo, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome isn’t really how I’d describe my journey. Of course, I’ve had moments of doubt that pushed me to self-analyze and refine my skill set. I see self-awareness as essential for growth. What’s given me real confidence is the guidance and support of peers who are at the top of their game. I’ve also spent thousands of hours sharpening my craft down to the smallest details. I’m confident in my ability to develop young athletes, but I also know there’s always more to learn. My goal is to keep growing as much as possible as long as I can.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Edgardo Becerra, and I’m the founder of 1991 Total Football Academy. I was born and raised in Lima, Peru, where soccer is everywhere — on every street, in every corner. I fell in love with the game at a young age, drawn not just to playing but to how it brought people together. By the time I was 15 or 16, I began coaching, originally as a way to improve my own game. Now, 16 years later, coaching has become my life.

What has shaped me most is my love for the game and my belief in its power to create opportunities. I started 1991 Total Football Academy with a simple vision: to build an environment that is both inspiring and meaningful for young athletes, where we could develop our own approach to the game and leave a lasting mark on youth soccer.

Some pivotal moments pushed that vision forward. We’ve brought in head coaches from top international programs to give our athletes fresh perspectives they wouldn’t otherwise have. Watching the impact — particularly in the women’s game — and seeing one of our athletes compete in the U-20 World Cup in Colombia made it clear that we were on the right path.

Today, 1991 Total Football Academy is more than a training program. It’s a home for young players with the drive to reach their dreams — a place where talent meets guidance, opportunity, and the kind of development that prepares them for the highest levels of the game. Our focus is on combining technical skill development with sports science, performance analysis, and individualized feedback, while partnerships with elite international coaches give our players access to perspectives and methods they wouldn’t normally experience.

A big part of our mission is helping grow the women’s game as much as we can, creating pathways for young female athletes to compete at higher levels and even represent their countries internationally. At its core, our work is about giving back, building community, and creating a home for driven athletes to grow, learn, and chase their dreams — and as we expand, there’s an incredible amount to be excited about, from new programs and events to the experiences we bring to our players every day.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey as a soccer coach, three qualities have stood out as the most impactful: first, the ability to listen and guide rather than direct, which has allowed me to truly connect with players and foster their independence on the field; second, honing my communication skills to break down complex concepts for young athletes through analogies and storytelling, making the game accessible and engaging; and third, maintaining an open mind toward diverse coaching philosophies, even those that initially clashed with my own, as they’ve often provided unexpected insights that enriched my approach.
For those early in their coaching journey, my advice is to cultivate these intentionally. Start by practicing active listening in every interaction,ask more questions and resist the urge to jump in with solutions, which builds trust and helps you guide effectively. On communication, immerse yourself in working with kids: experiment with creative explanations, record your sessions, and refine them based on what resonates. Finally, embrace openness by seeking out coaches with differing views,attend their sessions, engage in conversations without judgment, and extract those nuggets of wisdom that challenge and expand your perspective. It’s a humbling process, but one that accelerates growth and keeps you evolving.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

It truly takes a village to overcome challenges and build the skills needed for success, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to have met some families in San Diego who have always had my back, even during the toughest times. Their unwavering support,through encouragement, resources, and just being there has been a cornerstone in my journey, reminding me that growth is a collective effort.
In terms of coaching specifically, there has been many caches who have had an impact however one person who’s been instrumental is a great friend and ex-colleague of mine , with whom I spent years working side by side. He taught me the value of slowing down, thinking things through deliberately, and resisting the rush to climb the ladder prematurely. Instead, he emphasized patience: taking the time to prepare thoroughly until the right opportunities arise. That wisdom has shaped not just my approach on the field but my entire philosophy, helping us guide players with the same measured, thoughtful mindset.

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