JAXUSL, the United Soccer League (USL) franchise group bringing men’s and women’s professional soccer to Northeast Florida, has announced that Mauricio Ruiz, former veteran head coach of Jacksonville University’s men’s soccer program, has joined the professional soccer organization in a fundamental business development role and will also advise and support the organization’s continuing soccer operations efforts in a technical capacity.
Additionally, Ruiz will serve a vital role by cultivating relationships between JAXUSL and the First Coast’s numerous youth and adult soccer clubs.
“We’re thrilled to have a person of Mauricio’s caliber and experience join JAXUSL,” said JAXUSL President and CEO Steve Livingstone. “Along with his extensive knowledge and experience in college soccer and player development, Mauricio is well-known throughout the First Coast business and sporting community and a highly-respected leader throughout Florida’s soccer community as a coach, mentor and passionate ambassador for the game.”
“I'm humbled and excited to be a part of JAXUSL to bring pro soccer back to Northeast Florida,” Ruiz said. “The First Coast is an exceptional market for youth soccer, and we have a passionate soccer community. Uniting our soccer landscape will be a key step to helping us accomplish our long-term goals to educate, develop and showcase our area's talent on a top stage.”
Ruiz has considerable experience in identifying and developing young soccer talent. Among the players he has previously recruited and developed during his college coaching tenures are current USMNT World Cup roster and MLS Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson and Hadji Barry, who broke the USL transfer record last year with his move from Colorado Switchbacks to Egyptian Premier League side Future FC.
Ruiz has also helped shaped the futures of several MLS Draft picks, including Deshorn Brown (currently playing for the USL Sacramento Republic), Kevan George (formerly with USL Charlotte Independence), Romario Williams, the number three pick overall in the MLS Draft (currently with USL New Mexico United) and Joe Amico (who played four seasons with USL Orange County SC).
Ruiz, who holds a U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) “A” license in coaching, led Jacksonville University’s men’s soccer program from 2014 to 2022 and guided the program to the ASUN Conference Tournament title in 2021, which was the team’s first NCAA appearance since 2008.
He joined the Dolphins after spending seven seasons at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he assisted in developing the Knights into one of the top programs in the nation. In both roles, Ruiz helped his teams win on the pitch while developing his players’ individual talents and drove crucial funding for the development of his successful programs.
JAXUSL is the operating company formed to bring and develop men’s and women’s professional United Soccer League franchises to Northeast Florida. The company’s goal is to bring competitive USL Championship action to the First Coast by 2025 and to work with local authorities in the development of a 15,000-capacity stadium and training facility to host the club in Northeast Florida.
For more information, go to jaxusl.com.
