Traffic Sports USA, owner of Miami FC, announced today the hiring of Fernando Clavijo, retired US National Team defender and former head coach of the Haitian National Team, New England Revolution and Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Traffic Sports USA, owner of Miami FC, announced today the hiring of Fernando Clavijo, retired US National Team defender and former head coach of the Haitian National Team, New England Revolution and Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. As Director of Soccer, Clavijo will lead Traffic’s efforts to expand its team and player divisions throughout the CONCACAF region.

“With our European and South American team and player divisions growing by leaps and bounds, we have been looking for the right person in the CONCACAF region. And Fernando is undoubtedly the right guy. The combination of his Latin American upbringing in Uruguay and his playing and coaching career in the US will enable us to connect the dots between South America, CONCACAF and Europe,” commented Julio Mariz, President of Traffic Worldwide.

Fernando Clavijo is a native of Maldonado, Uruguay. Born January 23, 1956 Clavijo was admitted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005. He earned 61 caps with the United States men’s national soccer team and eight with the US National Futsal Team.

"Clavijo is a multicultural soccer veteran who understands the world of FIFA and is especially well-versed in the Latin American and North American soccer markets. He is uniquely qualified to drive our team and player initiative in this region. From a Miami FC perspective, his experience as a coach and player will be invaluable for our GM, coaching staff and players," said Aaron Davidson, VP of Traffic Sports USA and President of Miami FC.

“This is a dream job after years of playing and coaching. It’s soccer at a totally different dimension. I am thrilled about the opportunity to scout for, develope and place soccer players without being limited to the needs and interests of one particular team. I have always believed in the United States as a diamond in the rough for the development of players, both US-born and foreign players. The US offers the best infrastructure and training in the world. Now it’s a matter of identifying the top prospects and leveraging the strengths of our US infrastructure and training capabilities to make them the best they can be,” stated Clavijo.

Clavijo began his career as a soccer player in the early 1970’s, in Uruguay and a few years later moved to the United States. He played for several outdoor and indoor teams during his career highlighted by his time with the San Jose Earthquakes (NASL) where he was an All-Star in 1984 and by his four seasons with the San Diego Sockers (MISL) where he won three championships. After becoming a US citizen in 1987, Clavijo began representing the US internationally.

Clavijo’s coaching career began in 1991, as a player-coach with the St. Louis Storm. In 1994, he signed with the Seattle SeaDogs of the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL), becoming Coach of the Year in 1997. In 1998, he served as the head coach of the US Futsal Team and also assisted former US coach Bora Milutinovic with the Nigerian national team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, in France. He partnered with Milutinovic again a year later as his assistant with the MetroStars.

In 2000, he left New York to assume the head coaching duties with the New England Revolution. On October, 2003 Clavijo became the head coach of the Haitian national team, leading them through World Cup Qualifying. In December of 2004, the Colorado Rapids hired Clavijo as the team’s head coach. He held that position until August of 2008.