Vava came to the United States from Brazil in 1986. He attended Foothill College and played for Foothill in 1986-87 and 1987-88, being selected Team Captain and achieving All-American status in 1988. He enjoyed serving Foothill College and the local community. He equally enjoys all levels of coaching from recreational youth soccer, to club soccer, to high school soccer, to college soccer, to coaching at the national level. Vava’s philosophy is that every level affords unique rewards and opportunities to teach, not just soccer, but also the value of consistent hard work and mental discipline, and for high school and college players, the value of education and preparation for the future.

Vava has been a mainstay in the local soccer scene including stints at: Foothill College Men’s Soccer Head Coach, 1992-2003, Los Altos and Gunn High School Boy’s Varsity Coach, 1999-Present, Head of World United FC Men’s, Girls,’ and Boys’ futsal and soccer, 1995-Present. After playing professional soccer for a few years, Vava realized he wanted to go back to school to be a coach. He returned to Foothill in 1991 where he became the Assistant Coach for the men’s soccer team. The following year he was named Head Coach, a position he held for 13 consecutive years. During that time the Coast Conference recognized his accomplishments and contributions by nominating him as Coach of the Year four times, and awarding him Coach of the Year twice (2001 and 2003). His most gratifying experience, however, is acting in the role of a counselor in the community helping and encouraging college student-athletes, high school students and other youth in the surrounding area, particularly those with fewer opportunities.

For many years Vava has been a U.S. Men’s National Team Futsal Coach, one of approximately ten individuals in the United States currently holding coaching positions at the men’s and women’s national team level. As a member of our futsal national team coaching staff, Vava and all team members are considered and expected to be Goodwill Ambassadors for the United States and for U.S. Soccer. The national teams are typically invited to the U.S. Embassies to meet with the U.S. Ambassadors and staff members. While coaching with the U.S. Men’s Futsal National team, his teams have succeeded in play, winning the Gold Medal at CONCACAF (Central and North America) qualifications and competing with the top teams in the world like Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Spain at the World Futsal Championships. Impressively, those teams have been recognized for their Fair Play at CONCACAF and the World Championships.

In 1994, the United States hosted the world’s biggest event, the World Cup of soccer. As FIFA Coordinator for the Brazilian Men’s National Team, Vava translated and assisted in all negotiations between the Brazilian delegation, FIFA and Santa Clara University, the host site for the Brazilian National Team. In addition, at the request of the Chief of Police of Santa Clara, he helped the Police Department coordinate the international media and Brazilian fans at the Santa Clara training site to maintain an orderly yet friendly environment. In addition, as FIFA Site Coordinator at Foothill College, he was the FIFA official responsible for securing Foothill College, as the official World Cup training site for Switzerland, Sweden and Colombia.

In 1999 FIFA asked Vava to be the official FIFA Liaison for the Brazilian Women’s National Team during the Women’s World Cup held in the United States.