Meet Our Team

The People Behind Discovery FC

Omar Santana - Executive Director

Omar Santana serves as the Executive Director of Discovery FC, bringing a lifelong commitment to player development, club leadership, and community-driven soccer in Southern California.

With decades of experience in youth soccer operations, Omar has played a pivotal role in building competitive programs across Orange County and Los Angeles, overseeing club structure, coaching development, league relations, player pathways, and long-term strategic growth. His leadership is rooted in creating environments where players can thrive both on and off the field.

Throughout his coaching and director career, Omar has organized, collaborated on, and led professional combines and elite showcases, providing players with direct exposure to the professional game. He has coached teams and players in high-level matches against opponents such as Mexico’s U16 National Team, Alianza Select, and LA Galaxy Academy, and has worked closely with coaches and players who possess professional playing and coaching backgrounds.

As Executive Director, Omar is responsible for the vision and direction of Discovery FC, including:

Club operations and governance
Player development pathways
Coaching education and standards
League and federation relations
Community outreach and partnerships

Omar maintains strong professional relationships across the global game, including connections with Liga MX clubs at multiple levels—from scouts and players to sporting directors, managers, and club ownership. In addition, he has established networks within Major League Soccer (MLS), El Salvador, and European football, allowing Discovery FC players access to valuable pathways, knowledge, and opportunities beyond the local level.

He has been directly involved in the development of players who have gone on to earn opportunities at the professional, academy, and collegiate levels, and he remains deeply committed to ensuring that every player is given a clear and realistic pathway for growth—regardless of their starting point.

Discovery FC was founded on the belief that development comes before results, and Omar’s leadership reflects that philosophy by prioritizing strong fundamentals, character, accountability, and opportunity. His hands-on approach and transparent communication have earned the trust of families, coaches, and players throughout the region.

Under his guidance, Discovery FC continues to grow as a club known for integrity, ambition, and genuine player care, providing a platform where young athletes can discover their potential and pursue their dreams.

Mey Lam M.A., M.S., BCBA - Executive Director

Mey Lam, M.A., M.S., BCBA, is one of the Founders of Discovery Football Club (DFC), a youth soccer organization dedicated to developing confident athletes and positive leaders through sport, structure, and mentorship. With over 15 years of experience in youth development, leadership, and program management, Mey brings a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to building strong team culture and supporting the whole child.

Throughout her career, Mey has specialized in creating structured environments that promote accountability, communication, emotional regulation, and skill development—principles she applies directly to youth sports. At DFC, she integrates proven behavioral and coaching strategies to support athletes on and off the field, emphasizing discipline, teamwork, responsibility, and personal growth.

In addition to her professional background, Mey is also a soccer parent who has seen firsthand the powerful impact this sport can have on youth. Through her own son’s experience and her work with young athletes, she has witnessed how soccer fosters confidence, resilience, discipline, teamwork, and a strong sense of belonging—skills that extend far beyond the field and into everyday life.

As a bilingual (English/Spanish) leader deeply rooted in the community, Mey is passionate about increasing access to quality youth sports programming, particularly for families who may face financial or social barriers. Under her leadership, DFC prioritizes inclusivity, transparency, family engagement, and community involvement through scholarships, fundraising initiatives, and volunteer opportunities.

Mey’s mission through Discovery Football Club is to create more than competitive teams—to build a supportive, values-driven organization where young athletes are empowered to discover their potential, develop lifelong skills, and thrive both in soccer and in life.

Profe. Jose Santana - Director of Coaching

Profe José Santana serves as the Director of Coaching for Discovery FC, bringing a distinguished professional playing background and decades of elite coaching and player development experience. His leadership plays a central role in shaping the club’s philosophy, curriculum, and long-term development pathways, ensuring a consistent and high-level standard across all age groups.

Profe Santana began his professional playing career with Pumas UNAM, competing with the club’s Reserva Especial from 1973–1974 under coach Pedro Ortiz before earning promotion to the First Team, where he played from 1974–1980. During this period, he worked under an accomplished group of managers, including Carlos Peters, Carlos Iturralde, Jesús Segovia, Jorge Marik, Árpád Fekete, Bora Milutinović, Mario Velarde, and Guillermo Vásquez. Competing at the highest level of Mexican football allowed him to develop a strong foundation in tactical discipline, professionalism, and high-performance environments.

Throughout his time at Pumas UNAM, Profe Santana played alongside some of the most iconic figures in Mexican football history, including Hugo Sánchez, Evanivaldo Castro “Cabinho,” Manuel Negrete, Chucho Ramírez, JJ Muñante, Olaf Heredia, and Javier Aguirre, among others. These experiences shaped his understanding of elite standards and reinforced the importance of technical excellence, intelligence, and competitive mentality.

From 2003–2006, Profe Santana expanded his coaching career internationally as part of Real Madrid México City, the first official international Real Madrid school. Working under directors Alberto Gil Galve, Ricardo Rodríguez Suárez, José Manuel “Manolo” Díaz Fernández, and Xabier Azkargorta, he further strengthened his foundation in elite European training methodologies, structured curriculum design, and long-term player development systems.

After arriving in the United States in 2006, Profe Santana has coached and developed countless players across multiple age groups and competitive levels. His commitment to long-term development, technical mastery, and character building has produced measurable success, including five players signing professional contracts in Liga MX, two players signing in the USL Championship, and three players earning placement in the LA Galaxy Academy.

As Director of Coaching at Discovery FC, Profe Santana oversees coach education, curriculum implementation, and player development pathways across the club. He works closely with staff to ensure alignment in methodology, progression, and club culture, with a focus on developing intelligent, disciplined players while fostering leadership, respect, and a lifelong love for the game. His professional background, international experience, and proven development record make him a cornerstone of Discovery FC’s mission to provide a world-class, development-focused environment for players and families.