User:Santiago Javier Velasco

Player: Santiago Javier Velasco began his career with Club Cristo Rey of his native Ecuador. He also played for 5 de Julio. In 1989, Velasco moved to the United States where he attended North Brunswick High School, playing three seasons on the school's soccer team and was selected as an All State Player, he was chosen as the MVP of the High School Seniors All Star Games. In 1994, he attended Mercer County Community College, playing one season, then in 1995 he transferred to Centenary College where he played one season and won a National Title, he was selected as the MVP of the National Championship game. In 1996 Velasco transferred to Kean University and played one more season of collegiate soccer. After graduating from Kean University in 2000, Velasco played on local amateur and semi pro teams. In 1997, he joined the North Jersey Imperials of the USISL Pro League, then in 1998 he signed with Jersey Riptide of the USISL Pro League. Velasco signed with the North Jersey Imperials of the USISL again in 1999 and played three more seasons of professional soccer with the New Jersey Stallions of the USISL/USL from 2000 - 2002.

Coach: Velasco worked as the 1st full time assistant coach with New Jersey Institute of Technology Division 1 men's soccer team from 2003 to 2009. In the fall of 2009 he was hired as a head varsity soccer coach at Edison High School, then he coached the Arthur L Johnson High School girls varsity soccer team from 2010 - 2012, in 2010 the team had a great run and lost in the state final 3 -1. Velasco coached the North Brunswick High School girls varsity soccer team from 2012 to 2016, then coached the Rahway High School girls varsity soccer team from 2016 to 2020. Velasco also coached at the Jersey Knights soccer club for 15 years, players development academy (PDA) for one season and Cedar Stars Academy (CSA) Newark and Monmouth for 6 years. He also worked as an evaluator for Region 1 ODP and New Jersey ODP. Velasco is currently the Sporting Technical Director and Head Coach of the Pre Professional USL 2 and USL Academy teams at Morris Elite Soccer Club.