Nicolo G. Muñiz
Co-owner

As a native of Rio Rancho, Nico grew up locally and had a successful youth soccer career playing for Elite FC’s Gladiators, Rio Rancho High School, the academy system in Spain, and the Real Salt Lake Academy. With Gladiators FC, coached by former IISA owner Gabe Nosseir, he won several honors including NM State Cup (6x), the President’s Day Cup in Arizona (1x), the Disney Showcase (2x) and was consistently ranked within the top 10 nationally for male teams from U15 to U18. He played varsity for Rio Rancho his freshman and sophomore years before moving to Madrid, Spain, where he played for AD Alcobendas CF’s Juvenil B side. He then moved back stateside to join Real Salt Lake’s academy setup in Casa Grande, AZ. Nico was the first academy player to sign professionally straight from the residential academy to the first team when he signed for MLS in 2011. After his time in MLS, he journeyed back to Spain to have brief spells with CF Pozuelo de Alarcón and AD Colmenar Viejo in Tercera Division. His last competitive game occurred with Albuquerque Sol, where he decided to hang up the boots and enjoy playing for fun!

Upon “retirement”, Nico passionately pursued education and sought out experience in small business as the next frontier. Currently, Nico has applied his educational background in law, finance, and analytics to become a serial entrepreneur, whose interests include several areas of real-estate, craft alcohol, and of course, indoor soccer. When he’s not exploring investment opportunities, he’s an extremely proud girl-dad, both of whom are his world!

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolo-g-muniz/

Jeremiah Peña
Co-owner

With an impressive 20-year tenure at the International Indoor Soccer Arena (IISA), Jeremiah Pena has been an integral part of the indoor soccer community. His journey began in 2001, where he played a pivotal role in assisting Gabe Nosseir with the establishment of the IISA's flagship location at Copper and San Mateo. Jeremiah's dedication and expertise were instrumental in shaping the IISA into the thriving hub it is today.

A lifelong soccer enthusiast, Jeremiah's passion for the sport is evident both on and off the field. He is a keen player, relishing the excitement of both indoor and outdoor soccer. As a spectator, his interests span the globe, encompassing a wide array of international leagues and teams.

Jeremiah's academic pursuits reflect his intellectual curiosity and diverse interests. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy. Demonstrating his commitment to exploring profound questions about existence and human understanding. His educational background has fostered a broad perspective and an ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

A strong believer in the power of education, Jeremiah also holds a Montessori Accreditation, which enables him to teach children aged 2.5 to 6 years using the renowned Montessori method. This accreditation has directly translated into his ownership of the Lil Kickers NM program, where he combines his passion for soccer with his dedication to early childhood development.

Jeremiah's role at Lil Kickers NM extends beyond business ownership. He finds immense joy in coaching the young participants and mentoring the coaches who share his commitment to fostering a love for soccer and a strong foundation of skills. His patient and encouraging approach creates a positive and nurturing environment where children can thrive both on and off the field.

When he's not immersed in the world of soccer, Jeremiah cherishes quality time with his family. He is a devoted husband to his wife, Erica, and a loving father to their three children, Sadie, Santiago, and Olivia. His family provides him with a sense of balance and fulfillment, reminding him of the importance of the relationships that ground him.