South Bend Lions FC’s head coach, Thiago Pinto, aims to make lasting impact

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Thiago Pinto has dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player since he was a 9-year-old boy living in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Avid soccer fans, his parents passed on their appreciation of the sport to their son; they took him to games after school at their local club.

Now the technical director and head coach for the South Bend Lions, Pinto’s love for soccer has only grown since he moved to the States to attend Bethel University as a freshman nearly two decades ago.

“I was born and raised in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil where I had the privilege to progress through the playing ranks of two top soccer academies like Cruzeiro and Atletico,” says Pinto. “I then moved to the U.S. to further my education and appeared in four NAIA National Tournaments for the Bethel Pilots between 2002 and 2005. I fell in love with coaching at an early age and have been on that path for almost 20 years now.”

The Lions are one of the newest franchises to join League Two of the United Soccer League, an organization with multiple levels and conferences of competitive soccer that span throughout all of North America. While League Two is the developmental league intended for smaller market, a startling percentage of players in Major League Soccer (MLS) have come through League Two at one point or another.

Given the new club status of the Lions, even things like rivalries are new, but Pinto says the matchups against Fort Wayne FC (ones in which they dominated) are particularly fond memories of this first season in 2021.

“With 2021 being our first competitive season, I would say to start the in-state rivalry versus Fort Wayne FC with two wins was pretty memorable. We won both games in convincing fashion with highlight to the tough 3-1 win at Fort Wayne in the first contest. Third goal to seal the victory was a great play and outstanding finish by one of our forwards.”

While the results on the field are exciting for Pinto, of course, its his ability to impact the lives, both personal and professional, of those players entrusted to his care and mentorship that matters most.

“I’ve had great teams and experiences over the years that have made me proud,” says Pinto. “Many incredible comeback victories, undefeated seasons, games well-performed and character well displayed. However, I would have to say that my proudest coaching moment has been seeing the young players mature into men and leaders with a noble vision and purpose.

“The privilege and responsibility to influence lives as a coach is an important lesson. I have heard a quote that says ‘a coach will influence more lives in a year than an average person in their lifetime.’ So it is humbling to have this role and opportunities to make a significant difference in people’s lives.”

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