Nick Garcia joined Sporting Brookside as Executive Director in 2012, overseeing the growth and development of both the recreational league and competitive teams to over 5,000 kids per year today. He brings with him a passion for youth development and all things' soccer, and a lifetime of playing and coaching. Garcia oversees the day-to-day operations of Brookside Soccer Club and is in charge of the strategic growth and development of BSC Soccer For the City.
Garcia began coaching competitive soccer shortly after beginning his professional playing career in Kansas City and fell in love with sharing his knowledge of the game with players of all abilities and ages. In 2009, Nick earned his B License from the United States Soccer Federation. Upon retiring from Major League Soccer, he returned to Kansas City, where he assumed the Executive Director role of a competitive club in suburban Kansas City.
Nick Garcia and his wife Dr. MeLinda Peterson Garcia, and their three children, reside in the Kansas City area. Garcia volunteers for many worthy organizations, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Jackson County CASA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Mattie Rhodes Center and Teammates for Kids.
Professional
Garcia signed a professional contract with Major League Soccer in 2000 and was drafted second overall in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft by the Kansas City Wizards. He played over 300 career games in his 11-season career.
- Kansas City Wizards MLS 2000 and 2007 – played – and started – almost 200 games
- Kansas City Wizards MLS Cup, 2000
- Kansas City Wizards Lamar Hunt Open Cup, 2004
- San Jose Earthquakes, Captain MLS in 2008, 2009
- Toronto FC, 2009
- International: He earned his first cap for the full national team in 2003, against Canada, and amassed six caps for the full United States Men’s National Team.
Youth and College
- 1999 Captained the US Under-20 Youth National Team at the World Youth Championship in Nigeria
- 1999 1st All-American
- 1998 & 1999, back to back NCAA titles at Indiana University
- 1997 US Under-17 Youth National Team at the World Youth Championship in Ecuador
- 1997 National College Freshman of the year
- 1996-97 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year
- TAPPS State Boys Soccer Championship, Bishop Lynch High School, Dallas, Texas (first and second in school history)
- All-district, all-state and all-tournament
- Dallas Texans Youth Club
