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Longtime professional soccer player Marcelo Fontana had better get used to that whistle around his neck.
He’ll need it after being named the first coach of the new Omaha Vipers franchise of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
Fontana was introduced at a press conference Thursday at the Indoor Tennis and Soccer Center, where the Vipers will hold tryouts later this month. He will bring 16 years of professional experience to the job, including several years with the MISL’s Milwaukee Wave.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be the coach of this new franchise,’’ Fontana said. “I know the owners have put a lot of effort into bringing it here, and I’m ready to go to work.’’
Fontana played this past season with Milwaukee and helped the Wave reach the league championship game.
Fontana’s most productive pro season was in 1999-2000 with the Wichita Wings, when he scored 26 goals and had 20 assists.
Vipers General Manager Sam Coughlin, who gave Fontana the whistle, said he is very comfortable with the selection of the 37-year-old Argentina native as the franchise’s first coach.
“There was a lot of interest in this position,’’ Coughlin said. “But we knew that Marcelo was the right man for the job.’’
Fontana began his career with San Lorenzo of Argentina at age 19. He passed the 400-point mark in his professional career during the 2008-09 season with the Wave.
His previous coaching experience has been confined to helping with the Mequon (Wis.) youth soccer club for the past eight years.
“I know this is going to be a big change for me,’’ Fontana said. “But having played so long, I think I’ll be able to relate to the players very well.’’
The new coach added that he wants the Vipers’ playing style to mirror the way he has always played the game.
“I want a very aggressive team,’’ he said. “One that is going to fight to the end.’’
The Vipers will hold open tryouts Sept. 25 and Sept. 26 at the Indoor Tennis and Soccer Center, 4718 N. 120th St. The team’s first MISL season will begin in November.
Contact the writer:
444-1350, mike.patterson@owh.com
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