MEET THE TEAM

Nicolai "Nico" Calabria

Captain

Nicolai “Nico” has been playing soccer for 20 years and joined the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team in 2010. Nico was “born lucky” without one of his legs. Nico is a teacher of history, a coach of soccer and wrestling, and a lover of the outdoors. Nico plans to devote his life to the growth of the AASA and amputee soccer across the globe. 

​

Favorite thing about soccer:  "I love to play the world's game."

​

 Favorite pump-up song: Can't Nobody Hold Me Down by Diddy

​

Rafael "Rafa" Perdigão

Defense

Rafa first played amputee soccer after having suffered a motorcycle accident in 2005. In 2008, Rafa created the first partnership of a professional team in Brazil       with the Vila Nova Soccer Club with amputee soccer. In 2015, Rafa received the invitation to spearhead another amputee soccer team in Brazil. In 2016, Rafa went to the United States in search of a better life. In 2019, Nico Calabria and Rafa joined forces to set up New England amputee soccer in the state of Massachusetts. Rafa works tirelessly to grow the sport and create a powerhouse in New England. 

Favorite thing about soccer: "Because I have had indescribable moments playing soccer, I love this game!" 

​

 Favorite pump-up song: Balada do Buteco, Gustavvo Lima

​

​

Jose Dejesus

Forward

Jose is Puerto-Rican American who has lived up and down the East Coast. While he grew up playing baseball and softball, Jose has come to love the sport of soccer, even though he used to think it was boring. Jose brings a smile and gratitude to every practice and event. 

​

Brian Bardell

Defense

Brian joined to the New England Amputee Team in March of 2021. He is an active person that plays a handful of adaptive sports including amputee soccer. He loves amputee soccer and is making rapid improvement. He comes to every practice with a desire to play hard, improve, and have fun. He is a fantastic addition to the New England Amputee Soccer Team.

​​

Ryan Garrity 

Defense

Ryan was an active guy in high school. He played 3 sports, one for each season. In 2013, Ryan lost his left leg above the knee due to compartment syndrome. He nearly died in that event. In fact, he was in a coma for 2 weeks. He struggled learning how to walk once again and with phantom limp syndrome. However, he never gives up. Ryan has overcome so much since 2013, and he feels blessed to have a 2nd chance at life; not everybody can say that.​

​

​

​

Vinny Fischer

Midfielder

Vinny was born and raised in Berlin, CT. until he got married and moved to Rockland, MA. in 2015. In 2021 my wife and I became first time parents to a beautiful baby girl. Always happy to adventure anywhere with my family and super excited to do all I can to help build the best regional amputee soccer team that the US has ever seen!

COACHES & STAFF

NY Metro Amputee Soccer Team

Nicolai "Nico" Calabria

Founder & Coach, New England Amputee Soccer Team

​

​

Rafael "Rafa" Perdigão

Founder & Coach, New England Amputee Soccer Team

​

PLAYERS IN THE NEWS

Gallery

Sponsorships