Fredericksburg FC welcomes Marcello Mitchel Alves to coaching staff

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Via Fredericksburg FC) – Fredericksburg FC has welcomed Marcello Mitchel Alves to the coaching staff for the Spring 2018 season. He will be a staff coach and head the 08 Boys Red program, while also assisting with the CCL Pro23 Men’s team.

Alves is a Curitiba, Brazil, native that is currently in the process of moving to the Fredericksburg area with his family, wife Audrey and two sons Markos, 4, and Luke, 2. He attended school in both Brazil and the United States, earning a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education at Catholic University (Brazil) and a Masters of Science in Sports Performance at Texas A&M University.

The 34-year old has been coaching the last several years on the professional level in Brazil, most recently as an assistant coach with Atlético Clube Goianiense (Brazilian Serie A, 2015-18), the 2016 Brazilian League Champions. Prior to that, he worked as an assistant coach with Paraná Clube (Brazilian Serie B, 2013-2015) and Clube Atlético Paranaense (intern assistant, Brazilian Serie A, 2011-12). Alves began his coaching career as an assistant and fitness coach for the women’s professional team of his hometown side Coritiba Football Club (2009). While in the United States, he coached boys and girls teams at Norfolk Collegiate High School in Virginia and with the U.S. Soccer Olympic Development Program’s (ODP) U10-U12 teams based in Virginia Beach (2011-12). He also coached with the Hampton Roads Strikers (2009-12)-which merged with Beach FC in January 2017-for several of the youth club’s boys and girls teams. Alves currently holds several coaching licenses and certificates in Brazil and is in the process of getting his USSF National C License.

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Coach Marcello started his playing career as an academy player with Atlético Paranaense, Coritiba Football Club, Paraná Clube and Joinville Esporte Clube before moving up to the pro ranks. His Brazilian pro career included time with Esporte Clube Avenida, Francisco Beltrão and Pato Branco over a six-year period. He then moved on to play for the Charlotte Eagles and Virginia Beach Piranhas in United Soccer League PRO and the Norfolk SharX in the MISL while in the U.S.

“With Marcello’s background he brings a massive wealth of knowledge and experience to FFC. Not only has he played the game professionally, he has also coached it professionally. FFC now brings in somebody who has lived a soccer life for over 30 years,” said FFC Technical Director of Coaching Mayowa Owolabi, who coached with Alves in Norfolk. “His character, professionalism and charisma will bring a lot of energy to the FFC families and players. Players will enjoy his personality, but will also respect the demands and standards that he will bring to every session and match.”

More from Owolabi on Alves’s addition:
“In addition to his on the field merits and credentials Marcello has also received a Master Degree in Kinesiology. This will now assist FFC with having a coach on staff who can monitor all players injuries and usage and help develop a model that mandates players go through appropriate training and recovery sessions to keep players on the field even longer. Last season, Atletico Clube Goianiense had the least amount of players in the Brazilian first division have any medical checkups. Marcello was responsible to oversee all players in the club and that shows the expertise he brings to the game when it comes to player management. I’ve known Marcello for over seven years and his knowledge and passion for the game can’t be matched.”