Nick Perera

       Director of Coaching

Originally from Madrid, Spain, Nick currently resides in Carlsbad with his wife and two children.  Having learned the game in Spain, Nick believes in developing a complete soccer player that is both technically and tactically proficient.  He was a standout player in college and currently plays professionally for the Tacoma Stars and is the captain of the U.S. National Beach Soccer team.

Licenses and Certificates

  • USSF National “B” License (2015)
  • Football Management Degree (Johan Cruyff Institute)

Coaching Experience

  • UC San Diego Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach – 2016 – present
    ✓ 29-5-7 since hired
    ✓ 2016 CCAA League & Tournament Champion
    ✓ 2016 Western Region Champion
    ✓ 2016 Division II Final Four Appearance
    ✓ 2016 NSCAA West Region Staff of the Year
  • Cardiff Mustangs B04 & B02 Head Coach – 2014 to present
  • Milwaukee Area Technical College Men’s Soccer Head Coach – 2013
    ✓ First playoff appearance & winning record in 6 years
  • SC Waukesha Elite Coach – 2013
  • Carlsbad Lighting Elite Coach – 2010 to 2011
  • Speed to Burn Elite Academy Coach – 2010 to 2016
  • UC Santa Barbara Elite Camp Coordinator & Coach – 2005 to 2008
  • Beach Soccer Camps – 2014 to present

Playing Experience

  • US Beach Soccer National Team – 2011 to present
    ✓ National Team Captain – 2014 to present
    ✓ 2017 World’s Best 50 Players
    ✓ 2017 CONCACAF Qualifiers
    ✓ 2016 Beach Soccer Goal of the Year
    ✓ 2015 CONCACAF Semi-Finalist
    ✓ 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
    ✓ 2013 CONCACAF Champion & Top Scorer
  • Professional Indoor Soccer – 2011 to present
    ✓ Tacoma Stars – 2017 to present
    ✓ Ontario Fury — 2016
    ✓ San Diego Sockers 2014 – 2016
    ✓ Milwaukee Wave 2011 – 2014
    ✓ MISL Champion 2012
    ✓ San Diego Sockers 2011
    ✓ PASL & Open Cup Champion 2011
  • U.S. Futsal National Team – 2011
  • College Soccer – UC Santa Barbara – 2005 to 2008
    ✓ NCAA National Champion 2006
    ✓ Big West Champion 2005 – 2007
    ✓ NCAA Playoff Appearances 2005 – 2008
    ✓ NCAA College Cup Offensive MVP 2006
  • Invited to the 2009 MLS Player Combine
  • Professional trials at Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander in Spain
  • Youth Soccer
    ✓ KV Tervuren Belgian Champion – 2002

Significant Accomplishments

  • Currently captain of the U.S. Beach Soccer National Team
  • 2006 Division I National Championship while playing at UCSB
  • Named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the 2006 Division I College Cup
  • 2006 and 2007 Big West Conference Champions while playing at UCSB
  • UC Santa Barbara Athletic Hall of Fame
  • Played in 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and scored 5 goals
  • CONCACAF beach soccer qualifiers in 2103, 2015 and 2017 (Champion in 2013)

Other Attributes

  • Speaks six languages (English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian and Portuguese)
  • Bachelor of Arts in English – University of California, Santa Barbara