In preparation for its 13th season, Mississippi Brilla FC has announced two additions to first year Head Coach Luke Sanford’s coaching staff. Joining Sanford on the sidelines this season will be Douglas Oliveira and Humberto Pelaez. Oliveira has been named Assistant Coach, while Pelaez will handle goalkeeper coaching duties.
Oliveira, originally from Campinas, Brazil, is no stranger to Head Coach Luke Sanford or USL League 2. Oliveira played for Coach Sanford at Indiana Wesleyen, where he was a standout defender. He also played three years for the Charlotte Eagles in USL League 2 (formerly the PDL), winning the PDL National Championship in 2017. Oliveira was a member of the Eagles’ squad that ended Brilla’s season in the national semi-finals. He is currently the Assistant Director of Human Performance for the men’s soccer team at Liberty University.
Ironically, Pelaez was also a member of the 2017 Charlotte Eagles team. He joins the staff of Brilla after a stellar goalkeeping career at Mississippi College, where he was named the 2016 Gulf South Conference Player of the Year. He is also the founder of Goalkeeper Process where he has been training goalkeepers in the Jackson, MS area, as well as his home country of Panama.
Mississippi Brilla opens the 2019 campaign with a home contest against TX United on Thursday, May 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm at Clinton High School’s Arrow Stadium.