Nick Perera Becomes San Marcos Revolution New Director of Coaching
Nicolas Perera is now the new Director of Coaching for the San Marcos Revolution’ youth soccer club in Southern California. Perera is a youth soccer coach who is a highly accomplished professional soccer player; the Captain of the U.S. Soccer Beach Soccer Team as well as a talented striker in the MASL – the indoor soccer league. Perera has also played on the U.S. Futsal Team.
Nick Perera is a highly talented, Spanish-born, American professional footballer who is dedicated to developing youth soccer players and to representing the USA as a professional soccer player.
On the U.S. Soccer Athletes Council, Perera has a highly distinguished career — despite his young age. Perera is the Captain of the U.S. Beach Soccer National Team coached by Eddie Soto. As a forward on the team, Perera has been responsible for scoring some of the most spectacular goals in the history of beach soccer and won Goal of the Year in 2016.
Perera is also an outstanding indoor player. Formerly with the San Diego Sockers, he now plays for their rival, the Tacoma Stars. Perera also has played on the U.S. Futsal National Team.
A standout collegiate player himself at UCSB, Perera is in his second season as an assistant coach for Men’s Soccer at the University of California San Diego.
Born 5 June 1986, Perera is more focused, intelligent and disciplined than most and is a clear communicator. But what Perera is most is honest and charming. A fan of ethics, Perera is a soccer player and coach who knows what it takes to succeed and is always willing to put in the hard work.
As a coach, he is encouraging, insightful and patient while demanding a player work to reach their highest level of ability.
SoccerToday’s Editor in Chief Diane Scavuzzo interviewed San Marcos Revolution‘s new director of coaching Perera on leading the way forward.
Diane Scavuzzo: Why join the San Marcos Revolution?
Nicolas Perera: The decision to become the Director of Coaching for the San Marcos Revolution was an easy one for me.
Once discussions started and I saw the direction the club wanted to move in, and what my role might be in that direction, I was in.
Professionally, it will be a step forward in my career, but personally, it’s an opportunity for me to work with a club that shares many of the core values I believe youth soccer should be about: family, community, respect and a strong desire to serve the development of the athletes first and foremost.
As the Director of Coaching, I will be in a unique position to help coaches, players and ultimately my community in providing a club that serves those fundamental values.
Diane Scavuzzo: Soccer is the world’s game – how does youth soccer fit into the community of San Marcos?
Nicolas Perera: San Marcos has all the ingredients to have a fantastic soccer community: passionate soccer players and fans, a bevy of good soccer fields, a local college soccer program invested in their community, and a club like the San Marcos Revolution that intends to serve the athlete with programs of all levels.
The more I see of the San Marcos youth soccer scene, the more excited I am for the future of soccer in our country.
There are so many young, passionate soccer lovers in the area, who do everything within their power to play the sport we all love, and that can only bode well for the community and the soccer landscape regionally and nationally.
Diane Scavuzzo: You are leaving the Cardiff Mustangs youth soccer club — former teammate Kraig Chiles is the Director of Coaching there. As a youth coach working there, what did you learn from him?
Nicolas Perera: Kraig Chiles has shaped a top program in Cardiff, California. He has done an exceptional job of assembling a staff that is a blend of community leaders, local college soccer players, and professional players, all whilst staying true to what the club’s vision and mission are.
A lot of the way I view a Director of Coaching’s role comes from working with Chiles. He was always available, always present when needed, and knows the name and background of every player in his club. I hope to emulate those qualities moving forward with the San Marcos Revolution.
Diane Scavuzzo: What makes your club special?
Nicolas Perera: The San Marcos Revolution is a club that truly serves the community and the athlete.
The pricing options for families are such that no players will feel priced out of playing club soccer.
Teams are formed ethically.
In a soccer landscape where certain clubs focus exclusively on financial growth, I think it’s a point of the pride that the Revolution exists for something else.
Whilst it’s naïve to say that financial stability and longevity aren’t essential for any program, the true mission of the program is what sets us apart.
The Revolution exists to serve its community, the families within in and the greater good of the sport.
Diane Scavuzzo: How do you describe yourself as a leader?
Nicolas Perera: I believe in creating a culture of positivity, where everyone has a role to play in moving the ship forward. I think I’m a strong communicator with a clear vision.
Diane Scavuzzo: How important is coaching education?
Nicolas Perera: I’m a strong believer in striving to learn something new, or hone your craft, each and every day.
Coaching is no different.
Coaches who are passionate about the sport should always find new and creative ways to better their understanding of the game, work on their delivery, or take in different approaches from other leaders.
As the Director of Coaching for the club, coaching education is a top priority of mine.
I believe the ability for a club to present a unified approach to technical development and positive coaching is paramount.
The more prepared and qualified coaches are, the bigger the impact they can have on the athletes, and if developing confident, capable athletes— and human beings — is our aim, then we as coaches have to strive to better ourselves every day.
Diane Scavuzzo: You are the captain of the U.S. Soccer Beach team, how does being captain — and representing the USA abroad — prepare you to be a Director of Coaching at a youth soccer club?
Nicolas Perera: I think the exposure I’ve had to other cultures — other ways of coaching or seeing the game across the world — gives me a unique perspective on being a Director of Coaching.
Captaining a team of incredibly talented and intelligent players, and advocating for them, I believe, has prepared me to lead a staff of coaches and guide the technical direction of a club like the San Marcos Revolution.
