By Staff,

Montverde Academy is proud to announce two more experienced coaches to the SIMA staff. Nicolas Pretelt and Christian Neira come to the program with great experience that will assist in furthering the development of SIMA and Orlando City Academy players.

Nicolas Pretelt, originally from Colombia is no stranger to Florida. Before coming to SIMA, Pretelt worked with Weston FC of the U.S. Development Academy. He brings more than 8 years of coaching experience at all levels which include, summer camps with Seattle Sounders, FC Barcelona Escola, and the performance analyst at Rowan University (NJ) & Barry University (Miami). While in South Florida, Pretelt worked with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers as a volunteer assistant. In 2015 to 2017 he gained experience working in the training programs at New York Red Bulls. He currently holds a USSF ‘B’ License and is the creator and organizer of the Miami Soccer Convention. An annual football congress where coaches get a chance to further their education and network with the best coaches in the industry.

As a player, Nicolas Pretelt played for Florida International University and continued his career training with different academies and first teams around South America: Estudiantes de la Plata, Santa Fe, Sete de Setembro, and Patriotas de Boyaca were some of the notable clubs that which allowed him exposure to world class players like Jozy Altidore, Pablo Piatti, Federico Fernandez, Andres Cadavid among others.

Pretelt will serve as head coach with a SIMA team and the Orlando City SC U-14s.

Christian Neira joins the staff as Assistant Goalkeeping coach. Originally from Santiago, Chile, Neira will assist Iñaki Samaniego who oversees the goalkeepers for SIMA and Orlando City DA. Neira recently graduated from Midway University (KY) with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in sports management.

As a goalkeeper, Neira played at the youth level with Audax Italiano (Chile), U-17 National team and then was recruited to play collegiately. In his last season he achieved All conference first team, All region and All American scholar athlete as well as outstanding student in sports management (Midway). After college, Christian started his career as a recruiter for Audax Italiano before coming back to the US to serve as the goalkeeper coach for his alma mater. Christian Neira’s experience and professionalism will be a great addition to an already strong staff.