Nick Perera


Nicolas Perera is a Spanish-born American professional footballer who plays for and is the head coach for the Tacoma Stars of the MASL.

Early life

Perera was born in Madrid, Spain to Prudencio and Dione Perera. Despite having a Spanish father and an American mother, Perera spent most of his childhood in Belgium and can speak 5 languages: English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and French.

Playing career

Youth and college

Perera played youth soccer in Belgium with club team K.N.S. Tervuren, as well as his high school team European School of Brussels. He walked on to the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team in 2005 after receiving a recommendation from his mother.
Perera played an integral role in UC Santa Barbara’s attack, leading the Gauchos to the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship and winning the national title. For his performances in the 2006 tournament, he was named the College Cup's Most Outstanding Offensive Player.

Professional

After finishing college, Perera played a few matches with California-based Bakersfield Brigade of the USL Premier Development League where he was reunited with UC Santa Barbara teammates Tino Nuñez, Greg Curry, Jon Curry, and Andrew Proctor. Additionally, Eric Wynalda was also on the squad.
Perera then joined Benidorm CF in Spain, before heading back to America to join San Diego Sockers where he played indoor soccer. Despite appearing in just 6 games, he scored 5 goals for the club.
In the off-season, Perera joined Milwaukee Wave. Perera racked up 69 appearances, scoring 52 goals, before moving back to San Diego Sockers ahead of their 2014/15 season. In October 2016, Perera was traded to Ontario Fury. He appeared in 15 games for the Fury and scored 17 goals with 16 assists in his lone season with the club.
Perera was traded in the offseason from Ontario Fury to Syracuse Silver Knights. He appeared 3 times in November 2017 for the Silver Knights and scored 4 goals with two assists. In December 2017, it was announced that Perera was traded to Tacoma Stars.

International

Perera represented the United States in the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup where he led the team in goals scored. Despite the United States not advancing past the group stage, his 5 goals were good for a seventh place finish overall in the tournament.

Honours

Club

; UC Santa Barbara Gauchos: