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