Sporting Kansas City announced on Friday two additions to the club’s technical staff. Mike Jacobs (pictured, left) has been hired as the Assistant Technical Director while Jorge Alvial (pictured, right) has been hired as the club’s Director of Scouting. Both Jacobs and Alvial will report to Sporting KC Manager and Technical Director Peter Vermes.
“Mike [Jacobs] and Jorge [Alvial] are two very strong additions to our club,” Vermes said. “Mike knows the landscape of youth soccer in the United States and has experience both at the collegiate and USL level. Jorge has an extensive scouting network that will serve us greatly as we look to improve our team both now and in the future. Both of these additions will help immensely as we look to vertically integrate our club from the academy level to the senior team.”
Jacobs has vast experience in American soccer having spent four years as an assistant coach at Duke University before accepting the head coaching role at the University of Evansville. In 2004, Jacobs was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year during a season in which his Blue Devils advanced to the College Cup. While at Evansville, the Purple Aces posted a 71-69-8 record and were Missouri Valley Conference Tournament runners-up in 2009.
“I’ve always wanted to work in Major League Soccer and would like to thank Peter Vermes and the Sporting KC organization for giving me this opportunity,” Jacobs said. “This is truly a special organization and I look forward to working closely with the entire technical staff to keep us ahead of the curve and ensure we remain one of the elite clubs in the United States.”
Jacobs is currently President of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) after a three-year stint as Vice President of the world’s largest soccer coaches organization. Prior to joining Sporting Kansas City, Jacobs was the Executive Vice President and Technical Director of the United Soccer League (USL), providing strategic direction for the organization at all levels.
Alvial joins Sporting Kansas City after nine years working for Chelsea FC. As Head Scout for the Americas, Alvial oversaw scouting in North, Central and South America for the five-time English Premier League champions and was vital to the recruitment of Chelsea midfielder and Brazilian national team star Oscar.
“I believe the United States is a sleeping giant on the world soccer stage,” Alvial said. “Major League Soccer is going to be a top-five League in the world very soon and Sporting Kansas City has already proven to be among the best teams in MLS. I believe I can help the club maintain its high standing and help it achieve its goal of becoming one of the top clubs not only in the country, but also in CONCACAF.”
Before joining Chelsea, Alvial managed the then-USL PRO Puerto Rico Islanders and served as a consultant for FC Dallas’ technical staff in 2008. Through his connections with then-Columbus Crew head coach Sigi Schmid, Alvial recruited Guillermo Barros Schelotto to the United States to join the Crew. The Boca Juniors legend won the 2008 MLS MVP Award and helped Columbus win the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield double in 2008, as well as the Supporters’ Shield in 2009.
Alvial began his playing career as a goalkeeper in Chile with first division side Deportes Iquique, which was followed by stints in the United States with the then-Washington Stars of the American Soccer League and the Washington Diplomats of the American Professional Soccer League. He also served as Head Scout for Chilean first division side Club Deportivo Universidad Catolica where he discovered a young Humberto Suazo, who has appeared more than 60 times for the Chilean national team and has won three CONCACAF Champions League titles with Liga MX club C.F. Monterrey.
