Formula Soccer Center
Coaching Staff
Meet the coaches and partners behind Formula's training: technical development, confidence, and game intelligence for players ages 2 to 18.
Claudia Orellana
Director of Coaching
Claudia is a Los Angeles-based soccer coach with over 10 years of experience training players ages 3-18 across recreational, competitive, and advanced youth levels. Her coaching focuses on technical development, confidence building, game intelligence, and helping players become more creative and effective on the ball. She is passionate about creating a positive but challenging environment where athletes can grow both on and off the field.
What drives Claudia most is pushing young athletes to believe in themselves, helping them succeed, and igniting a lasting passion and fire for the game of soccer.
Known for her energy, professionalism, and ability to connect with players of all ages, Claudia specializes in first touch, ball mastery, finishing, movement, and speed of play. Whether working in private sessions, small groups, or team environments, her goal is to help every player develop confidence, consistency, and a deeper understanding of the game.
Andres Baena
Associate Coach
Andres, also known as Coach Pancake, brings over 15 years of experience coaching, developing, and impacting young players. Early childhood education certified and a former Director of the LAFC SoCal Youth Roots Program, Andres has built deep expertise working with children from ages 2 through 18.
His coaching philosophy centers on encouraging children to develop their unique abilities while enjoying what they do. Andres believes that when fun and learning happen together, students thrive and reach developmental milestones faster. His approach is built around creating environments where every child feels motivated, supported, and excited to grow.
Outside of coaching, Andres is happiest outdoors and spending time with his family: his life partner and their three children. Family is the foundation of everything he does, and that same care and commitment shows up in every session he leads.
Partnership
Formula partner
Steve Cherundolo
Former LAFC Head Coach
Steve Cherundolo supports Formula because the facility reflects how he believes the modern game should be taught: technical clarity, faster decisions, and development that holds up when time and space shrink.
I have partnered with Formula because it reflects my own personal philosophy of player development in the modern game. Every soccer action has three critical moments which increase in difficulty when time and space are reduced. By combining elite coaching with cutting-edge technology, Formula will develop players who think faster, make intelligent decisions and execute at the highest of levels.
His partnership is rooted in a love of the game and a commitment to helping the next generation of players train with purpose. That is the same standard we hold on every lane at Formula.
Ready to train with us? Explore memberships and programs, book a Skills Check, or see careers if you want to join the team.