Rodolfo Zapata

Rodolfo Zapata
Personal information
Full nameRodolfo Zapata
Date of birthMay 1, 1966
Place of birthBuenos Aires, Argentina
Teams managed
YearsTeam
2012–2014United States Youth Soccer Association
2011–2012MP Black Aces FC (South Africa)
2010–2011Sunshine Stars (Nigeria)
2010–2011Rising Stars (Nigeria)
2001–2009Olympic Development Program (USA)
2000Alberta Soccer Association (Canada)

Rodolfo Zapata (born 1 May 1966) is an Argentine Football Association coach and former player.

Career

Rodolfo Zapata started out as a player in the 2nd Argentinian division. He played as goalkeeper in Huracan, Sportivo Italiano, Club Atlético San Miguel and Cipolletti de Rio Negro. Due to consecutive knee injures, Zapata retired from playing and he embarked on a managerial career.

On January 1990, he founded Rolo Zapata Soccer Academy in Bella Vista, Buenos Aires. It is a private training complex for youth, high school and collegiate players. Currently is one of the elites soccer program in Argentina and USA.[1]

On June 2000, Zapata coached Alberta Soccer Association in Canada. Shortly after, he was Teacher/Head Coach of United Nations International School in New York City.[2]

Also in New York and New Jersey, he was Head Coach of USA Olympic Development (2001-2009).[3] This program is a national process for identifying and developing the best youth football players, which represent the United States in international competitions, such as the World Cup and the Olympics.

On January 2010, he was based in Akure City, where he was Head Coach of Nigeria Premier League side Sunshine Stars FC,[4][5] as well as Manager of Rising Stars in Ondo State.[6]

In 2011-2012 season, Rodolfo was appointed to be Head Coach of MP Black Aces FC in South Africa.[7]

On September 2012, he returned to the United States as Director of Coaching and Players Development for the United States Youth Soccer Association in New Jersey. Many of these young players have gone on to represent the USA Youth National Teams in various age categories.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Rolo Zapata Soccer Academy
  2. ↑ El DT argentino de la ONU
  3. ↑ Interview with Rodolfo Zapata
  4. ↑ "The Specialists" Argentinian Rolo Zapata, Former Sunshine Stars Coach
  5. ↑ Sunshine Stars FC has a reputation of being coached by the Argentine Rodolfo Zapata
  6. ↑ Rolo Zapata Reveals The Secrets of Sunshine Stars
  7. ↑ Zapata takes over from Rosslee
  8. ↑ World Cup 2014: I expected more from USA and African teams

External links