Martin Nash, Jordan Santiago join Cavalry FC coaching staff

2018-09-18

CanPL.ca Staff

Calgary, AB (September 18th, 2018) – Keeping in tune with the Canadian Premier League’s philosophy of a league for Canadians by Canadians, Cavalry FC has added two key figures in Canadian soccer to join Tommy Wheeldon Jr.’s coaching staff.

Martin Nash – Cavalry FC Assistant Coach and Technical Director

Cavalry FC is excited to announce Martin Nash as the Assistant Coach and Technical Director. Martin is a former Canadian International and was a key member of their 2000 Gold Cup winning team. Martin also has an extensive playing background in both England and North America where he notably won the USL Championship four times – twice with Rochester Rhinos and twice with Vancouver Whitecaps.

Martin is no stranger to success in the coaching role. Upon hanging up his boots from the playing side, he coached within the Vancouver Whitecaps residency and PDL program before moving on to Ottawa Fury as Assistant Coach from 2014-2016. In May of this year, Martin was named Assistant Coach of the Calgary Foothills FC PDL team, joining forces with Tommy Wheeldon Jr., and led the team to their National Championship. Martin is a wealth of experience as a player and coach within the Canadian Game, not to mention, he is a “serial winner” at all levels.

“He will be a huge asset to our club and the growth of the game in this country,” stated Wheeldon Jr.

Martin is also the younger brother of recent NBA Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Steve Nash.

Jordan Santiago – Cavalry FC Goalkeeper Coach

As the Goalkeeper Coach, Cavalry FC has named Calgarian Jordan Santiago. At just 27 years old, Jordan has had great success as a player in Calgary and abroad and has proven to be a promising young coach.

Tommy Wheeldon Jr. stated, “He [Jordan] knows the system these players have come through and he wants to give his all for his city’s team.” Jordan went through the ranks of Calgary Youth Soccer, with the Calgary Blizzard, and then played up to the Canadian U20 team. When he was 15 years old, Jordan received his first opportunity to play professionally with Reading FC in England. Jordan was offered a 2-year apprenticeship with Cardiff City FC in December of 2007 and went on to play for SC Veendam in the Netherlands as a goalkeeper. He retired as a player and moved into a coaching role when he was approached by West Ham United in the English Premier League for the 2013-2014 season. Jordan has since returned to Calgary and, most recently, has been working as the goalkeeper coach for Calgary Rangers Soccer Club, Mount Royal Men’s University team and Calgary Foothills FC alongside Tommy Wheeldon Jr., Martin Nash and Leon Hapgood.

The Unveiling of Cavalry FC’s coaching staff comes twelve days before Cavalry FC face provincial rivals, Edmonton FC in the Al Classico ‘Prospects Game.’ The Al Classico match takes place on September 29th at Spruce Meadows and will give an opportunity to look at the local talent on both sides. Fans will also get an exciting sneak-peek at what’s to come for Cavalry FC. Tommy Wheeldon Jr. has already begun the search for local talent to build the Cavalry FC roster but encourages aspiring players to register for The Canadian Premier League’s #GotGame Open Trials.

The #GotGame Trials are open to males aged 16 and older and are taking place across the country. For more information on Cavalry FC and the #GotGame trials visit canpl.ca/gotgame. Tryouts will be held over a period of two days. On Day 1, each player will be evaluated through a series of fitness exercises and testing, soccer-specific drills and assessments. At the end of Day 1, a limited number of players will be selected and invited back for Day 2, which will focus on small-sided and 11 vs. 11 games.