Nelson Cupello | Flower City & Salt City Union Assistant Coach
Marcelo Moreira | Flower City & Salt City Union Goalkeeper Coach
A native of São Paulo, Brazil, in addition to his duties with Flower City Union, Moreira serves as a goalkeeper coach for the WNY Flash Academy, Monroe Community College Mens and Womens soccer teams and Nazareth College men’s soccer program. Marcelo also runs More Keepers, his own Goalkeeper program where he trains keepers of all ages throughout WNY.
Moreira was also the goalkeeper coach for the WNY Flash professional team (2016).
As a player, Moreira grew up playing in the youth development programs of some the best clubs in Brazil, including Corinthians, before turning pro at the age of 18. He would spend ten years competing for Palmeiras, Série A, before spending five years as the team captain of Juventus (Brazil), where he helped lead the club’s promotion to Série A. Moreira is listed as a Juventus Hero with the club and earned more than 100 appearances.
He also spent time competing in Brazil’s Série A for Londrina and São Caetano.
In 2013, Moreira moved to the United States, where he continued his soccer career as an indoor player; competing for the Syracuse Silver Knights, St. Louis Ambush, Utica City FC, and Rochester Lancers.
Throughout his professional playing career, Moreira had the opportunity to play with Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Cafu, and Marcos. He was also able to spend time under the direction of Luis Felipe Scolari, who won a World Cup as the coach of Brazil in 2002.
In addition to holding a USSF National “E” License and USSF Advanced National Goalkeeper License, Moreira has an associate’s degree in Sports Management from the University of São Marcos in Brazil.
Moreira and his wife, Kayla, currently reside in Rochester, N.Y. with their five children – Igor, Pedro, Jilliana, Thiago and Gabriella.