Vinicius Dos Santos joins Carolina Rapids Coaching staff
Brazilian-born former pro will work with U11-U12 pool of players
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Former professional soccer player Vinicius Dos Santos, who was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, has joined the Carolina Rapids Soccer Club staff.
Dos Santos, 48, brings more than two decades of high-level coaching experience to the club, and will be a head coach, assigned to the club’s U11 and U12 pools of players, according to Academy Director Kevin Flanagan.
“We believe Coach Dos Santos is a great fit for the club and our culture,” explained Flanagan, who found Dos Santos through the club’s affiliation with the Colorado Rapids. “He will contribute greatly to our highly experienced coaching staff. We searched for a coach who understood the needs of our youngest players with the character to positively impact the club. We are stoked to have Vini join us.”
Dos Santos is no stranger to U.S. soccer, and developing players. After his playing career ended in 1993—the same year he earned a Physical Education & Sports Degree from the University of São Paulo—Dos Santos migrated to Phoenix, Arizona, and starting his coaching career. In 1998, he was hired by Brusa International Soccer Institute as Director of Coaching and worked closely with Sereno Soccer Club for almost a decade, in several capacities.
Along the way, Dos Santos continued his own development, acquiring several U.S. coaching licenses—including a USSF “A” license, National Premier Diploma, and Director of Coaching Diploma. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Sciences of Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University. In 2014, Dos Santos worked with the Colorado Rapids U.S. Development Academy.
Having played in Brazil, Dos Santos understands that soccer culture and ideology aren’t built overnight. “I learned that one cannot simply come and immediately impose an outside reality into the American soccer context,” Dos Santos explained. “It won’t work, because the environments are not identical. It was necessary, in my case, to spend time, experience and learn about the American soccer landscape and culture in order to adapt and create new ways that are suitable for the U.S. soccer community. This will be my focus with the Rapids – helping to contribute to the club’s existing development ideology to better educate and train players and teams.”
Flanagan said Dos Santos’ background—as a player and teacher—made the signing an easy decision. “Vini will bring experience and knowledge at many different levels to the club,” Flanagan explained. “He is a true teacher when it comes to developing young talent and he is well versed on the latest teaching methods for soccer players.
For someone like Dos Santos, whose life has revolved around soccer, parental expectations aren’t lost on him. “I want parents to know that I am very aware of the responsibility to coach their kids,” explained Dos Santos, who moved to Charlotte in April with wife, Krysta. “It will be my pleasure to contribute to their soccer wants and needs. For the players, my message will be: ‘Let’s do soccer.’ It is an incredible game itself, with so much to offer—on and off the field.”
ABOUT THE CAROLINA RAPIDS
Established in 1987, Carolina Rapids Soccer Club has over 5,000 members—serving Recreation, Competitive, Boys U.S. Development Academy, Boys Elite Club’s National League (ECNL), Girls ECNL and Adult Recreation. Built on the tent poles to serve the community through soccer, the Rapids are the first and only club throughout greater Charlotte to have won a U.S. Youth National Championship. Providing an economic impact of $10 million to the communities it serves, the Rapids are a proud part of the Colorado Rapids Adidas Alliance, one of five clubs nationally to hold that acclaim. While its overall mission is player development—at all levels—the Rapids execute that mission with its “5 C’s” top of mind: CHARACTER, COMMITMENT, COMPETITION, COMMUNITY, and COMMUNICATION. The Rapids have enjoyed steady growth in its three decades, with geographic locations in Cabarrus, Denver, North Mech, South Charlotte and West. For more information, visit the club’s web home at www.CarolinaRapids.org, Twitter and Instagram.