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The Strategists - A Look At The Diverse Set Of Managers At The UPSL Finals

Published Mar 1, 2021
  • Four Managers from Four Different Continents in UPSL National Finals
  • Africa, Europe, North America and South American will be represented
  • UPSL National Semifinals begin at 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 5
  • UPSL National Championship Game is at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 7

LOS ANGELES, CAMarch 1, 2021 – Four managers from four different continents will lead clubs into the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) National Finals tournament this weekend.

North America, South America, Europe and Africa will each be represented on the touchline at the UPSL National Finals in Atlanta, GA, on Friday, March 5, as each regional champion is led by a coach from a separate part of the world.

ADRIAN GAITAN, OLYMPIANS FC
Hometown:
New York City, USA
Biography: Gaitan grew up playing alongside Giovanni Savarese, Chris Armas and Tony Meola in the Northeast's legendary hotbed of soccer during the 1980s. He holds a UEFA Pro coaching license and previously coached in Spain's professional third division.
Quotable: "It's a great accomplishment and it says a lot about the players and the coached and everyone involved in the Olympians FC organization. Accomplishing what we've accomplished in such a short period of time and under extreme duress because of COVID, but being able to push through, go with the flow, stay positive and find ways to represent the logo and represent Arizona is a tremendous testament to the character of every single person on this team. We're looking forward to the opportunity in front of us in Atlanta."

MARC DOBRENEL, CAPITAL CITY SC
Hometown:
Paris, France
Biography: Dobrenel stepped up for the club when it needed a head coach for its new UPSL team. A goalkeeper turned goalkeeper coach turned head coach, Dobrenel recently hung up his own boots to take over on the touchline this season.
Quotable: "I was playing with Capital City Soccer Club last year but the team was completely different. When I decided to retire I decided to recruit some players and we've done fantastic during the season so far. Everyone is very motivated for the UPSL National Finals in Atlanta. I think it's a great accomplishment for our first year. When you enter a competition you want to win that competition, and this is the spirit I want to give to the team. This team is like a family. We are very close, so this is really good for the culture of the club."

HERMINIO FURTADO, BROCKTON FC UNITED
Hometown:
Praia, Cape Verde
Biography: Furtado has guided Brockton FC United to runs in both the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the U.S. National Amateur Cup, and his club comes in with the deepest resume of the four in Atlanta this weekend.
Quotable: "This is special for our community here in Massachusetts, in particular Brockton, because for so long we've felt we've had the talent that did not have the opportunity to showcase at this level. Our players are excited to be traveling to Atlanta, and it's proof of what we believed in, and that the community has the talent to make something like this happen. We know we're not the favorites and that's OK. We are the underdog and we are happy to go there and challenge and make sure we give it a very good game, a competitive game, and an exciting game for the fans."

JOAO GUILLERME GARCIA, GINGA ATLANTA
Hometown:
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Biography: Garcia previously operated FC Ginga and won the UPSL Florida South Division in 2016. After managing Brazil's National Arena Team at the 2017 WMF World Cup and coaching abroad, Garcia resurfaced in Atlanta in 2020 with a new team that has become something more.
Quotable: "Getting here to the UPSL National Finals means everything for this group and for this club. To win 19 games in a row is something we might not see again for some time in the UPSL as the competition grows every year. It is a testament to how much work was put in. As other clubs practice three times, twice a week, four times a week. We were out there every single day. We did it as professionals and the results speak for themselves. We are the best club in the nation regardless of what happens on March 5th and 7th at the Silverbacks Stadium."

TICKETS: Friday, March 5 (Semifinals) / Sunday, March 7 (Championship)

All games will be streamed on MyCujoo.