NPSL: Ex-Stringrays Boss Pereira Takes Reins for Reds
- Updated: January 28, 2016
One of the most recognizable faces on the Ocean State soccer scene has taken the helm at Rhode Island Reds FC as the club announced the hiring of Mario Pereira as their new head coach on Wednesday.
Pereira, whose resume includes championships at the pro-am and high school levels, was appointed to the position after former coach Kabba Joof relinquished the reins in order to take over the Director of Football position.
“The Reds are a club that have made great strides in the Rhode Island soccer community since they were founded in 2012,” Pereira said in a club release. “I’m honored and excited to be given this opportunity to be the head coach for the 2016 season and am hoping for a great year. I am confident that my experience at this level will help propel the club to new heights as we look to continue developing the area’s top players.”
Pereira began his coaching career as an assistant at Brown University from 1982-1989 before taking the helm at Luso-American Soccer Association (LASA) outfit Lusitania (Cumberland, R.I.) from 1989-1994. During his time with Lusitania, Pereira won the LASA league championship in three straight seasons.
In 1995, Pereira became the first coach of the start-up Rhode Island Stingrays, which fielded the likes of current U.S. Men’s National Team defender Geoff Cameron and former Revolution midfielder Nico Colaluca, during his tenure.
Currently, Pereira is the head coach for La Salle Academy in Providence, RI where he has won nine Boys Division 1 Championships since 2000.
“We are proud to have Mario Pereira join the Reds for what will be a milestone year in the club’s history,” Joof said in a club release. “As we look to increase our focus on developing talent from the Southern New England area, we know that Mario is the right candidate for the position. Mario has been a huge part of Rhode Island’s soccer history and we are glad he will now be a part of the Reds future.”
The Reds, who finished the 2015 campaign on 10 points with a 3-8-1 record, will kick off their fifth season in NPSL play in the spring. The league is expected to release the master schedule in the coming weeks.
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