ARIEL GELSUMINO
Director of Coaching & Performance
Ariel is our Director of Coaching & Performance and also the lead developer of our innovative Space United Academy’s soccer portion of the curriculum. Ariel brings his international professional coaching knowledge to Space United, along with his eternal passion for spreading the love of soccer and improving the athletic performance of teams.
Ariel began his professional sports career as a basketball player for the state of Cordoba, Argentina. On the court he was recognized for his agility, versatility and always delivering a solid performance. Ariel also played soccer at a competitive level. On the field, he excels in ball control, creating attacking opportunities from the back and successful pass execution. Regardless of the sport, Ariel’s heart is in every game, and this helped him gain a trusting and respectable reputation among his peers.
After his professional athletic career, Ariel used his experiences to help individuals and teams cultivate excellence in sports. He became both a basketball and soccer coach in the U.S.A, Argentina and in Costa Rica. Currently, Ariel is the lead coach for Space United FC and head basketball coach at Saint Monica Elementary School. As a youth coach, Ariel is great at connecting with children at their different developmental levels, teaching them the values of perseverance, confidence and integrity, and cultivating their appreciation for athletics.
Since joining Space United, Ariel has made instrumental improvements to the team. He has a keen eye for performance and strategy, and effectively communicates key factors such as opponents’ key tactics and how to leverage each individuals’ strengths. Under his coaching, Space United earned their championship trophy in 2019 in the South Bay Sports League.
In addition to Ariel’s direct experiences as an athlete and coach, Ariel is also a true soccer aficionado. Coaching is his profession and also what he studies in his pastime--from news, game techniques, to actively observing 2 FIFA World Cups and 1 CONMEBOL Copa America, with each resource strengthening his wisdom and his connection to the beautiful game.