Florida National University Men's Soccer

Ruy Da Silva Castelo Branco is heading into his fourth season as the Florida National University Mens Soccer Head Coach. In his first two seasons, his teams achieved a .646 winning percentage. In 2021, his Conquistadors earned a regular season victory over the eventual NAIA national champions, finished runner-ups in the Continental Athletic Conference Championship, earned a birth to NAIA Nationals, and finish the season ranked 20th in the NAIA Coaches Poll. In 2022, Da Silvas team advanced to the second round of NAIA Nationals for the first time in program history following an impressive 4-2 win over No. 14 Life University. Coach Da Silva became the third head coach in the history of FNUs mens soccer program in Spring 2020. Prior to head coaching, Da Silva spent three years at FNU serving as a mens soccer assistant coach (2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20). The first two years were served as a student assistant, and he later took on a full-time position in his third year which included performing Sports Information Director responsibilities. During Da Silvas seasons as an assistant coach with the Conquistadors, the program made three USCAA National Championship appearances with two USCAA National Championships in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. Additionally, Da Silva has served as soccer head coach for the Davie United Soccer Club and Florida Crushers Futsal Club where Coach Da Silva was awarded a National Championship and got second place at the World Futsal Championship with the U-11 team. He is a United States Soccer Federation and a United States Youth Futsal Federation licensed coach. Da Silva was a decorated player before transitioning into coaching. He played Beach Soccer for the Brazilian National Team and also played eleven years for the Brazilian prestigious team C.R. Flamengo, a highly selective group where he won a World Championship in 2012. Coach Da Silva began learning the tactics and techniques of South American soccer from a young age when he started playing at the highest level of the youth categories in Brazil for Flamengo and Fluminense. The training and knowledge he received during this time are reflected in his coaching style. Da Silva tries to truly understand his players in order to maximize their potential. My goal as a Head Coach is to work in the development of the players to help them to become better human beings with moral values they will bring for life as Integrity, Respect, responsibility and sportsmanship. Coach Da Silva said. If I can help them to become a better person, it will be easier to help them become better soccer players. Coach Da Silva attended Estacio de Sa University School of Law (Brazil) graduating in 2011 with a Law School Degree along with a minor in Psychology. Ruy Da Silva, a Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, native, resides in Coconut Creek, Fla., with his wife Juliana and his son Lorenzo.

I would like to thank President Maria Regueiro, and Director of Athletics Fernando Valenzuela for the wonderful opportunity to lead the womens soccer program at Florida National University . With the tremendous growth on campus over the last several years, its a great time to be at Florida National University . I look forward to being a responsible steward of the program and creating a championship culture, while leading the Conquistadors to success in the classroom, in the community and on the field. A graduate from Florida Atlantic University. Giovanni de la Rosa returned to his alma mater Florida Atlantic University as the mens soccer assistant coach in January of 2013 and was elevated to Interim Head Coach December 1, 2016. Originally from Colombia, de la Rosa spent three years on the varsity team at Miami Spring Senior High School, where he served as team captain during his senior year. He went on to play for two years at Miami-Dade Community College before joining the Owls from 1989 to 1991. In his first year playing for FAU, dela Rosa made the NSCAA All-South Region Team and competed in the FISAA All-Star Game. He led FAU to its first-ever NCAA Division II rankings, No. 15 in 1989 and in 1991 the team held a No.9 national ranking. Since his time playing for FAU, dela Rosa has coached players who have qualified for state and regional teams, as well as three players who made national pool teams. More than120 players coached by dela Rosa have received college soccer scholarships and six former players have won college national championships. His career includes coaching jobs with Miami Jackson High Schools varsity soccer team, Miami Shores Girls U-16 and U-17 teams, and the Margate Shasta Blitz where he served as a coach and as Director of Coaches. Giovanni will start right away in his path to recruiting 20 to 25 girls in order to fill the first ever Womens Soccer team in history at Florida National University. Athletic Director Fernando Valenzuela says Gio is a great candidate but more important a good person and good professional with lots of soccer experience and a good soccer pedigree. He is very well know in the community with tons of connection within the south Florida area. We are very exited and look forward to what Gio will put together for the team