Our staff
Arthur Coimbra Junior – President
Junior was a professional soccer player in Brazil and is the son of soccer player Zico, who was one of the best soccer players in the history of the sport and is considered a soccer legend all around the world.
Junior played in big teams in Brazil such as Guarani and Fluminense since he began his career in 1995, and retired after playing in Japan’s Sagan Tosu in 2003.
Since 2004, Junior became the director-president of Zico Soccer Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He founded then his company Eagle Marketing and Events, creating and promoting big events like the Rio de Janeiro Cup, Copa da Amizade Brazil-Japan (Friendship Cup), Zico Cup and, finally, the most successful of all, the Jogo das Estrelas (All-Star Game). Now in its 5th annual edition, played in Maracana Stadium, the biggest soccer stadium in the world, the beneficent game attracted 40.000 people and already became a tradition for players and former players worldwide to participate and also helping a large number of charity institutions. Players such as Maradona, Seedorf, Adriano, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo ,Bebeto and many others came in to support and participate in the event thanks to Zico’s credibility and also for Junior’s close relationship with many of them.
Throughout the years Junior had the opportunity to experience first hand the major soccer events in the world, developing a unique view of the sport and a creating large network with the most influential people, not only in the soccer world, but in the sports and entertainment world in general.
Fabio Malavazzi – Vice President, Operations and Marketing
Fabio has worked in broadcast television for over 15 years at both Turner Latin America and ESPN International and he is considered one of the most recognized sports commentators in Brazil. His work includes the NBA, NCAA, PGA, and boxing. His experience includes 13 NBA regular seasons (including eight NBA finals and 12 All-Star games), three NCAA Final Fours, three Americas Cup Volleyball Tournaments and Friday Night Fights.
Prior to his television career he played professional basketball in Brazil from 1980 to 1986. In 2005 Fabio founded FAMA Group Media & Sports Marketing. With FAMA, Fabio served as ESPN Brazil’s U.S. correspondent, producing interviews and features for ESPN Brazil. In 2005 his company also created One World Games (OWG), a youth program that creates opportunities for athletes to travel around the globe for training, competition and cultural experiences. Throughout the years the program has reached hundreds of young athletes and touched thousands of families.
Fabio is a 1985 graduate of Don Bosco University (Brazil) with a B.S. in Economics and Post-Graduate degree in Marketing.
Coach Gaucho Pinho
Gaucho Pinho enters his fifth season as the goalkeeper coach for the Georgia State men’s soccer program…Pinho, a native of Brazil, represented Brazil’s national youth teams before playing professionally. He holds his Brazilian professional and youth coaching licenses and was the director of the Zico Soccer Club.
Pinho began playing professionally in Brazil with Flamengo from 1986-93. He went on to play for Botafogo from 1994-95, Nova Iguacu F.C. in 1996-97 and CFZ from 1997-98. Pinho was a goalkeeper coach for professional teams in Brazil following his playing career. He played for Brazil’s national team as a youth player, earning 15 caps. He has played at Wembley Stadium, and in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Holland, Italy, Japan, and Venezuela.
Pinho was also one of the coordinators for Zico’s Inner City program that taught soccer and life skills to inner city children. He received his USSF Youth Diploma. He is the technical director for the Forsyth Fusion Soccer Club. He took the U-14 Diadora United to the Super Y National Championships. He also led the Forsyth Fusion U14 team to the State Championship game. He is a Georgia ODP 95 goalkeeper coach and also has worked for the Georgia Amateur ODP teams.
Coach Marcio Meira
Marcio Meira is one of the most recognized physical trainers in Brazil. He worked with the top soccer players and teams in Brazil including the National team. Also he has an extensive international experience, participating in tournaments in Holland, France, Japan, China, Spain, Argentina…. Meira worked with some the top coaches in Brazil as Edinho, Lazaroni, Telê Santana, Evaristo de Macedo, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Wanderley Luxemburgo e Carlos Alberto Silva.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Brazil
Fluminense Football Club
Clube Atlético Bragantino
Fluminense Football Club
C.R. do Flamengo
C.R. Vasco da Gama
Botafogo de Football e Regatas
CFZ Rio de Janeiro
CBF Brazilian Football Confederation
Other Countries
Club Leon A.C. – Leon - Mexico
AL Shabab Club – Riad – Saudi Arabia
Coach Jacenir Silva
Jacenir Silva has 10 years experience coaching in a professional level.. Jacenir began playing professionally in Brazil with Campo Grande FC from 1978-83. He went on to play for CR Flamengo, America FC, Sport Club Corinthians some of the top soccer clubs in Brazil. On of his memorable achievements as player was, winning the Brazilian National Championship title with Corinthians in 1990.
Jacenir’s professional coaching career began in 2001 with Etti Jundiai FC. After leaving Jundiai in 2002 he went on to coach Guarani FC, Kuwait Sport Club (Kuwait), Atlanta Ruckus and Atlanta Silverbacks.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
1978-1983 Campo Grande F.C.
1982 Club R. Flamengo
1984 America F.C.
1984-1985 Joinville F.C.
1986-1987 Corinthians Paulista
1990-1992 Corinthians Paulista
1987 Sport Club Noroeste
1987 Novorizontino F.C.
1988 G.E. Catanduvense
1989 União São João F.C.
1989 Club Athletico Paranaense
1993 Santo André F.C.
1994 Portuguesa de Desporto F.C.
1994 XV de Jaú F.C.
1995 Ituano F.C.
Coach Marcos Roberto
Marcos Roberto is a native of Brazil and began his professional career with SC Corinthians in 1987. For seven seasons was part of biggest soccer championship in Brazil, the National Championship (Campeonato Nacional).
His most memorable achievement as soccer player was wining the Brazilian National Championship with SC Corinthians in 1990.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Corithians 1987 – 89
Guarani – 1989
Corinthians – 1990 – 1992
Paysandu – 1993 – 1994.
Coach Flavio Pereira
Flavio Pereira is a member Brazilian professional coach association recognized by FIFA. Also is certified by NSCAA National and has a US National Youth License.
Flavio started his coaching career in Brazil coaching and coordinating a youth soccer program at Club Alto dos Pinheiros in Sao Paulo. For the last 20 years has been part of many soccer programs in Brazil and in the United States.
Most recently he coached the Enfield High School, St Paul HS, Bristol Soccer Club, FSA Soccer Plus, Avon Soccer club and Wolcott Soccer Club and Connecticut ODP teams.
Flavio Pereira became a soccer commentator for ESPN International in 1992, covering the most important soccer events in the world. During this time the most memorable experience was be able to work the legendary Brazilian coaches, Tele Santana (Brazilian national team head-coach for the world cup in 1982 and 1986) and Carlos Alberto Parreira, World Cup champion in 1994.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
- Club Alto dos Pinheiros, Sao Paulo, Brazil-
- Club Athletic Juventus U20, Sao Paulo, Brazil,
- Mackenzie University, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Sao Paulo All State University Team
- Sereno da Madrugada- Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Thomas College, Maine
- Blue of Lowell, MA – LASA League
- Gremio of Ludlow, MA
