NICK PERERA RE-SIGNED, NAMED STARS GENERAL MANAGER
TACOMA, WA. – The Tacoma Stars made a two-for-one move with the announcement of the re-signing of two-time MASL MVP Nick Perera and naming him as the General Manager of the club effective this season. Per team and league policies, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Perera’s on-field excellence in the MASL has been well established, coming off a 2022-23 campaign that saw him capture his second League MVP Award compiling 70 points on 33 goals and 37 assists for the Stars. His point and assist totals were league highs and second in his career only to the 2018-19 season when he claimed his first MVP recognition with 80 points.
Though not a new role in his soccer career, this will be Perera’s first season as a General Manager in the MASL, and Stars’ owner Lane Smith tapped into Perera’s leadership abilities and business experience in naming him to guide the team in the front office as well. Prior to accepting the G.M. position for the Stars, he was the G.M. for the NWSL’s OL Reign and the Executive Director of Washington Youth Soccer.
“We are pleased Nick is staying with the Stars not only as a player but now his role has also expanded to include managing the business side of the organization. As a player, he has had a remarkable year: with his second MASL MVP Award, World Cup qualification with the USA National Beach Soccer Team, and outstanding performances in the TST and the National Sand Soccer Championships. We are excited to have him playing in front of Stars fans and can't wait to see what he accomplishes next,” said Smith.
Over the past few seasons, Perera combined roles as a Tacoma Stars player and organizational leader for other soccer teams. This season he gets to perform both jobs for the same team and Stars fans see the outcome for the first time when the team takes the field on Opening Night at the accesso ShoWare Center on December 9.
With the off-season moves already made by Perera, this is shaping up to be a breakout year for Tacoma as they look to build on last season’s playoff appearance with a strengthened team on offense and defense.
As for where Perera’s focus on the team begins, make no mistake, he is a player first as shown when asked about his dual role.
“I’m so excited and proud to continue representing this special organization and keep this beautiful journey going. I’m confident this team is going to make a lot of noise, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than in that locker room battling with this group,” Perera said.
That should excite Stars fans everywhere.
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