It’s been 11 years since FC Dallas signed then 31-year-old Michel Garbini Pereira for the 2013 season under Schellas Hyndman. Fast forward to today, and the Vitória, Brazil native is still part of the organization as the longest-tenured member of North Texas SC’s dugout.
In 2018, after 15 years of playing professional soccer, Michel decided it was time to start a new chapter in his life and step away from the field. That did not last long, however, when a friend (who coached amateur side Dallas Elite FC) convinced him to join and play in a couple of their games. During this time, Michel shadowed former FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja. Then his chance came: After a run of poor results, Dallas Elite FC called upon Michel and offered his first gig as a coach.
“I came back to Dallas and shadowed Oscar around each training session. I learned a lot on the coaching side, and I fell in love with it,” Garbini said. “When I got this small opportunity, I was able to practice what I learned. I was able to express my opinions and thoughts on the game to the team, as well as teach them my ideal style of play.”
North Texas SC was created by FC Dallas as the pathway for its young players to break into the professional level and, ultimately, move on to bigger things. As North Texas came to life for the 2019 season, the search to fill the technical staff began under the leadership of Eric Quill. The club looked to its development pathway and filled the voids with two familiar faces to the FC Dallas organization. FC Dallas Academy coach Alex Aldaz and former FC Dallas player Michel Garbini completed the inaugural crew. Along with Quill, that iconic trio conquered USL League 1 in its inaugural season.
“When North Texas SC was going to start, Luchi [Gonzalez, FCD head coach] asked me to join Eric Quill’s technical staff,” Michel recalls. “I am glad that it happened and worked out because it helped me grow in the coaching aspect of the game. My favorite memory was winning the league that year and put our name in the history of the club.”
Michel currently holds a USSF B coaching license and is in the process of completing his course for the USFF A license.
Outside of North Texas SC, Michel coaches UPSL side Foro S.C., fresh off completing one of the bigger “cupsets” in U.S. Open Cup history. The DFW side knocked off Austin FC II in the first round of the cup via penalty kicks after a rollercoaster ride of 120 minutes. He will look to continue this fairy tale story as they take on Lubbock Matadors who play in NPSL, a division above UPSL.
“It was a dream for them [Foro S.C.], to experience a game like this with the atmosphere and what is at stake. I told them to be accountable, responsible but to have fun most importantly,” he says. “We face another tough opponent in the second round, but we will look to keep writing history in this competition. We never know what the outcome can be, but my job is to prepare my boys and have them ready to go in each match.”
Six years later and Michel has been through all the ups and downs of lower league soccer; countless memories, players and road trips. The Brazilian is glad to have found his home within the club.
“I feel like this is my second home. I obviously have my family back in Brazil, but here is what I call home,” Michel said. “I love it here and I have no plans on leaving either. I enjoy working with all of our players at each age level and as well as seeing everyone in the front office.”
