Defiance FC Staff/Board
Sebastian Amar: Director/Associate Head Coach – Sebastian is a Kensington, MD native and currently serves as the Assistant Coach for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Men’s Club Soccer team. He played his youth soccer locally for Bethesda Soccer Club, Team America, and Walter Johnson High School. In college, Sebastian was a four-year starter for the UMBC Men’s club soccer team and later played for Ferro Carril Oeste of the Washington Premier League. Sebastian is a USSF licensed coach, and provides private and group training to players in the DC Metro area when he's not busy basking in the glory of Argentina's 2022 World Cup win. Professionally, Sebastian has been a civil rights lawyer in the Washington, DC area for 18 years.
On Defiance FC: “Soccer saved my life in a lot of ways. It’s important to me that people understand what the game is really about – it’s purpose and it’s value. The game exposes all of our flaws and gives us the opportunity to work hard in the pursuit of our better selves. Starting Defiance FC – and using it to harness the power of our soccer community to give every player with a passion for the game an opportunity to chase a dream without having to worry about financial barriers or family circumstances – was an easy call to make.”
Sebastian Driver-Salazar: Co-Founder/Associate Head Coach: In 20+ years as a sports broadcaster, Sebastian has been lucky enough to see it all. From hosting iconic studio shows like ESPN’s Sportscenter and NBC’s Premier League Live, to calling U.S. National Team games and reporting from World Cups, Sebi has worn a lot of hats during his TV career. A lifelong soccer player – and die-hard fan of Mexico’s National Team – Sebastian starred for Westminster College in Pennsylvania after winning a State Championship at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda.
On Defiance FC: "Between TV Assignments, I always found time to coach and can’t wait to get started building Defiance FC. Having spent most of the last decade volunteer coaching in downtown Washington, D.C., I have seen firsthand how much talent exists beyond the traditional pathways of American soccer. Vamos!"
Kelsey Amar: Co-Founder/Chief Operating Officer – Kelsey attended Hood College in Frederick, MD, where she was a varsity volleyball player. After college, she transitioned to distance running (marathons and half marathons) and triathlons. She is currently an Assistant Coach with Firebirds Track Club in Gaithersburg. She was previously the Chief Financial Officer and Co-Founder of the Student Education and Leadership Fund, a community run scholarship organization. Kelsey is the Director of Release Management for a financial services software company in Rockville, MD.
On Defiance FC: "Sports are more than just competition. They build healthy habits, teach focus and discipline, and develop grit and resilience. Sports teach us how to fail, learn from those failures, and get back up stronger. This club matters to me because it opens doors for every athlete, ensuring that financial circumstances never stand in the way of belonging, growth, or opportunity."
Daniel Akinkoye: Staff Coach/Board of Directors - Daniel is an IT professional in Washington, DC and also provides private and group soccer training in the DMV. As a youth player, he played for nationally ranked Olney Rangers as well as for the DC United and Potomac academies before going on to play college soccer at American University. Daniel spent five years as a coach at Bethesda Soccer Club. He loves photography, tennis, and giving back to his community in his free time.
Duane Scott: Board of Directors - Duane is a civil rights attorney from Silver Spring, Maryland. He has15+ years of experience enforcing federal civil rights laws, advising on regulatory compliance, and guiding complex investigative and policy initiatives. Two driving passions for Duane are public service and soccer. He began playing soccer for Montgomery County Soccer and played all four years at Bethesda Chevy-Chase high school. He eventually went on to play college soccer at Howard University. Duane continued his passion for the game by becoming actively involved in coaching his children’s soccer teams. He enjoys watching soccer and passionately follows Arsenal. He also serves as a coordinator for the Takoma Park, Maryland Children’s Business Fair where he provides a platform for young people develop and showcase their entrepreneurial skills.
On Defiance: “Playing soccer provided me so many valuable opportunities to be able to compete and work towards a common goal, build resiliency, and channel energy in a productive way. Defiance FC creates a space for athletes to work towards competing at the highest level and experience the joys of the game without being concerned that their dreams will be limited by a lack of financial resources.”
Adam Simon: Senior Team and Academy Scout - Adam is a former collegiate soccer standout and lifelong advocate for player development on and off the field. A four-year varsity member at Walter Johnson High School, Adam served as team captain and led the Wildcats to a 3A Maryland State Championship in 2000. He continued his academic and athletic career at Johns Hopkins University, playing center midfield and striker while appearing in 64 career matches and totaling 19 goals and 12 assists. Adam was instrumental in leading Johns Hopkins to a #2 national ranking in the 2004 NSCAA Poll, earned 2005 ECAC South Most Outstanding Player, and was named to the 2005 Centennial Conference Second Team, leaving his mark on the program's all-time scoring list. In recognition of his athletic achievements and impact on the local sports community, Adam was inducted into the Greater Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2023. Following his playing career, Adam served as a volunteer coach at Walter Johnson and Blake High School, helping guide both programs to 4A State Championship appearances while mentoring young athletes. Professionally, Adam is an Account Executive at LinkedIn.
On Defiance: "I'm joining the Defiance FC staff to give back to the local soccer community and help young athletes understand why team sports and soccer in particular are foundational to success well beyond the game. I strongly believe in Defiance FC's mission to remove barriers, expand access, and ensure every player has a genuine opportunity to grow, compete, and succeed both as an athlete and as a person."
