Michael Collins to Serve as President and General Manager
The new Orange County club that is set to compete in the NASL has announced Michael Collins will serve as the president and general manager. The New York native brings 17 years of playing experience to the club that is beginning to collect the tools to build an organization that competes on the national stage.
Related Article: NASL Is Coming to Orange County
NASL Soccer News: The new North American Soccer League (NASL) club that is coming to Orange County has made its first key hire. Michael Collins, a former professional player, will serve as the club’s president and general manager.
Following a 17-year professional playing career, Collins invested himself in the Southern California youth soccer community. He holds over 20 years of experience working at the region’s largest clubs in various executive and technical capacities.
“I have tremendous respect for club owners Bronwyn and Pete Capriotti and their commitment to local soccer,” said Collins. “We are going to build a club that is fan-first, player-centric and community-oriented. I’m really looking forward to developing connections with the local communities. I’m thrilled about the opportunity to lead this club in an incredible era of soccer in this country.”
Collins will be working closely with the ownership to oversee the club’s overall operation. He has already started working on the club’s official summer kick off, including engaging candidates to fill open positions in the front office and technical staff. The club has signed a letter of intent to play its home matches at California State University, Fullerton’s Titan Stadium.
“Bronwyn and I are thrilled to bring in someone with Michael’s level of knowledge and expertise,” said Pete Capriotti. “He has dedicated his life to soccer and has nearly 40 years of experience at all levels of the sport, so we feel fortunate to have him leading the charge.”
Lining up as a midfielder, Collins played in the professional ranks from 1980-1997. He suited up for a number of well-known clubs during his career, including a pair of Southern California sides: MISL’s Los Angeles Lazers and the San Diego Sockers. Collins was a member of the U20 U.S. Men’s National Team, and in 1988 he was capped twice by the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Collins, who hails from Long Island, New York, grew up as a supporter of the New York Cosmos and embraces his special connection to the legendary club.
“I served as a ball boy for the Cosmos at Hofstra back in 1972, so the NASL represents my very first taste of professional soccer,” Collins said. “I look at the NASL as the starting point for the professional game in our country, and I think the league, in its modern form, is the future of our game as well. The NASL is the best environment for players to develop their careers, and helping them achieve this will be central to our club’s activities. It’s rewarding to help players grow and watch their careers flourish.”
Photo Credit: North American Soccer League
