“Coach Diego” has been coaching soccer for 20 years and is starting his 2nd season with PFC! He began coaching soon after he stopped playing, starting his coaching career in 2005 as an assistant at Texas Rush Soccer Club. He started out working in Recreational programs and eventually moved into a Head Coach and Director position during his time at the club. In 20 years he has worked at some nationally successful clubs and programs such as Texas Rush Soccer Club (now HTX Soccer), Houston Dynamo Youth, Houston Dash Youth, Texans SC Houston, RISE Soccer Club, and Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club. He has experience working with all ages, and has spent the later half of his career in leadership positions within US Soccer Development Academy, ECNL, ECNL RL, MLS Next, EA and Girls Academy. He currently hold a USSF B License along with other supporting certifications.
His favorite part of coaching is the opportunity to develop young athletes, to discipline young men through the game of soccer, and to guide young athletes to create a better future for themselves.
As a player, he was a Center back and played all the way to the collegiate level.
Coach Diego was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where I grew up playing futsal, beach soccer and street soccer. His hometown soccer club was Flamengo, and he grew up going to watch them play at the Maracanã. He has lived in various places including Venezuela, Houston, St. Louis, and Las Vegas; prior to landing in Austin, Texas. In his spare time he enjoys playing guitar, listening to music, and traveling the world.
Favorite Team: Brazil National Team & Flamengo
Favorite Player(s): Ronaldinho Gaucho & Ronaldo Fenomeno