User:Jamesbaldor/sandbox

Edward Africano, a US national, of Italian and Colombian heritage, played professionally in various clubs in South America in the mid 1980s and continues to be very engaged with soccer at the youth, amateur and professional levels. Edward started playing futbol soccer at a young age playing in elementary and organized youth programs. At the age of 17, while attending Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia his talents in the field were discovered by coaching staff of Atletico Junior de Barranquilla who invited him to play in their reserves team, although he had a superb performance as a reservist he was not invited to the first team. He then played for Boca Juniors de Soledad while he completed his collegiate studies. Upon graduation he was contracted to play for Sporting Barranquilla. After Sporting Barranquilla FC was dissolved in 1989. Sporting's coach, Nelsinho Baptista, invited him to play for him at America Futebol Club in Brasil. Edward accepted and after having a successful year went on to play subsequently at Uniao Sao Joao Esporte Club. He became known as "Tibu" (meaning small shark), later as "Edinho Tubarao" (which means "Eddie the Shark"), later in his career just as "Edinho". He was set to join Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, contract in hand, but due to a physical injury and post recovery health issues Edinho never returned to first division play. He retired from professional play as player in 1992.

After an 8 year absence from the game, Edward returns as a coach and has been so engaged at the youth and professional level since the year 2000. He holds a bachelor's in business and masters of laws. He is also a licensed player agent.

As a coach he has led the following teams:

2004-2006 Texas State Soccer Association

Texas State Men's Select Team

2 Time National Champions - George F Donnelly Cup 2005 & 2006

Role: Assistant Coach, Strategic Technical Director

2008 FIFA CONCACAF Sub-20 World Cup 2009 Qualifiers

Puerto Rico Men's U20 National Team

Role: Assistant Coach, Strategic Technical Director

US Youth Soccer:

2000. Head Coach. Clear Lake United Youth Soccer Club. U5-U6 Team.

2001. Head Coach. Clear Lake United Youth Soccer Club. U6-U8 Teams.

2002. Head Coach. Clear Lake United Youth Soccer Club. Premier U12 Team.

2003. Head Coach. Clear Lake United Youth Soccer Club. Premier U14 Team.

2004. Head Coach. Clear Lake United Youth Soccer Club. U14 Academy Team.

2005. Head Coach. Clear Lake United Youth Soccer Club. U11 Development Team.

2010. Head Coach. U15Boys, Team:  Total90, Weston FC

2011. Head Coach. U15Boys, Team: Total90, Weston FC

2011. Head Coach. U15Boys. Team: Swoosh, Weston FC

2012. Head Coach. U16Boys. Team: Premier, Weston FC

American Youth Soccer Association:

2009. Head Coach. U14Boys. Team: "Falcons" AYSO

2010. Head Coach. U14Boys. Team:  "Galaxy"

2010. Head Coach. U5Boys. Team: "Hurricanes"

2010. Head Coach. State and National Games. U14Boys. Team: "Dynamo"