Ignite the passion for soccer.
We train athletes who dream big and aim high. Every single player receives personalized coaching designed to unlock their true potential and elevate their game on the field.
ANNOUNCEMENT
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ANNOUNCEMENT *
Northfire Performance and Academy recently acquired a license to organize/host Airpitch 3v3 tournaments across the state of Alaska. We could not be more excited to bring more fun and more touches on the ball to Alaska Soccer players!
EMAIL 3V3USA.ALASKA@AIRPITCHEVENTS.COM IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CO-HOSTING A TOURNAMENT, SPONSORING, OR HAVE MORE QUESTIONS
Our Mission
To provide FUN, high-quality soccer training that helps develops technical skill, competitive performance, and confidence in Alaska soccer players while IGNITING a lifelong passion for the game.
Our story
Building champions on and off the field
We are an independent training academy. Founded by Coaches Yordanys and Alyssa Hernandez, our mission is simple: to facilitate an environment that helps players ignite their love for soccer while building the technical and athletic foundations needed to grow and succeed in the game through 1on1 and small group training sessions.
In addition to serving competitive athletes, we also offer an academy program for youth players just being introduced to soccer. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to fall in love with soccer, develop confidence, and take their first steps in a fun, game-like environment.
Though Northfire Soccer Academy was only established in August 2025, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and are constantly seeking more opportunities for players here in Alaska. Our mission is to continue expanding programs and training for players across Alaska, and this is just the beginning.
Meet our Team
Dedicated coaches committed to transforming young athletes through passion and precision.
Yordanys hernandez Ferrer
Head coach/co-owner
Yordanys grew up in Cuba, where he trained in a full-time academy program until the age of 18. His passion and dedication to the game led him to play professional soccer, competing with a first-division team in Cuba and later with a second-division team in Ecuador.
After moving to Alaska, Yordanys has dedicated the past 12 years to coaching youth soccer, combining his professional playing background with a deep passion for player development. He has held leadership positions with both Valley Revolution and Chugiak Soccer Club, and has also coached with Alaska Rush, gaining experience across multiple levels of the game. Most recently, he served as the Director of Special Programs at Chugiak Soccer Club, where he played a key role in creating, directing, and coordinating camps, clinics, and the club’s academy program. His career reflects a comprehensive understanding of the youth development pathway, spanning from grassroots to advanced competitive levels.
Yordanys is committed to ongoing growth as a coach and currently holds U.S. Youth Soccer Grassroots, D, and C licenses. His training sessions emphasize technical focus, creativity, and instilling confidence in players both on and off the field.
Outside of soccer, Yordanys enjoys hiking in Alaska’s outdoors and spending quality time with his family.
Alyssa hernandez Ferrer
coach/co-owner
Alyssa grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, where she competed on a team that captured seven consecutive Division I state soccer championships and went on to play four years at the Division I level with the University of Tennessee at Martin. While at UT Martin, she earned two Second Team All-Conference honors, won four Ohio Valley Conference championships, and competed in two NCAA Division I tournaments.
Beyond her playing career, Alyssa is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy. She has professional experience working with athletes at the highest levels, including professional NFL, Golf and baseball players in Nashville, Tennessee as a Physical Therapy Tech. She currently works as a pediatric physical therapist at Southcentral Foundation in Anchorage. Her background allows her to bring a unique perspective to player development, blending high-level performance training with injury prevention and rehabilitation expertise.
In addition to her clinical work, Alyssa has coached competitive youth soccer for over 10 years. Alyssa is passionate about creating opportunities for young athletes to thrive, and she combines her love for the game with her medical knowledge to support players both on and off the field.
Kelsey Wild
Kelsey is a passionate Northfire coach with a lifelong connection to the game and a true gift for working with kids. She began playing soccer at just five years old, started club soccer at eight eventually making her state ODP team. She later competed in the UPSL league in California. After overcoming an ACL injury, she went on to play two years with Arctic Rush before suffering a second ACL tear in 2022. These experiences shaped her resilience and understanding of athlete development.
Off the field, Kelsey works full-time as a medical assistant and is a mom of three children. She has coached at Eagle River High School for the past three years and continues to do so currently. In her free time, she loves playing soccer in co-ed adult leagues, spending time outdoors, and starting her mornings with a cup of coffee while watching Premier League matches, especially her favoriate teamm- Chelsea FC.
COACH
Esther Mendes
Esther Mendes is originally from Brazil, but is a true Alaskan at heart and is passionate about helping Alaskans pursue the best versions of themselves through fitness.
She earned a Bachelors of Science in Health & Physical Education, is pursuing her CrossFit Level 3 Certification, and is Gymnastics Level 1 Certified.
She has over a decade of experience working with athletes of all abilities and ages. While not at the gym she can be found in the mountains hiking or biking, running half marathons, being overly affectionate to stranger’s dogs, or enjoying a cup of coffee at a local shop.
COACH
CERTIFIED STRENGTH & CONDITIONING SPECIALIST, FORMER PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER & COLLEGIATE COACHAlysa Horn
Alysa Horn is a former collegiate and professional basketball player known for her toughness, competitiveness and selflessness. As a coach these qualities are at the forefront of her message to the athletes she works with today.
The founder of Make Yourself, owner of the Sweat Lab, a born and raised Alaskan with a Bachelor of Science in Health and four years coaching experience at the collegiate level, Coach Horn brings an experiential and science based approach on how to train mental and physical toughness.
Coach Horn has been helping Alaskans unlock the best in themselves as a basketball player development coach and strength coach for over 10 years.