Paulo Nascimento joins the Lindenwood Men's Soccer coaching staff with over a decade of expertise in youth development, performance training, and elite goalkeeper education.
In 2025, Nascimento helped the Lions to an overall record of 14-3-4 and captured Lindenwood's first regular season and postseason championships in the Division I era. The 14 wins ranked tied for third in the country and was the most wins in a single season for Lindenwood since 2013 when they won 18 games as members of the MIAA at the Division II level. The 2025 season marked the first time since 2013 that the Lions have won an outright regular season championship after winning back-to-back regular season titles in 2012 and 2013. LU also became the first team in Lindenwood’s school history to make an NCAA Division I National Tournament after defeating Houston Christian in the OVC Championship Game via Penalty Kicks 4-2. The Lions went on to face Kansas City in the first round of the NCAA Tournament where they fell by a score of 1-0.
The Lions ranked tied for third in all of the NCAA in 2025 with 12 total shutouts, trailing only Princeton (13) and NC State (14). Their 12 shutouts is the most by any OVC team in the history of the league. They also ranked tied for fourth in the NCAA in goal differential with a +31. LU averaged two goals per game while allowing 0.52 goals per game in 2025. Lindenwood received votes in the United Soccer Coaches National Poll in back-to-back weeks on September 9 (3 votes) and 16 (1 vote). This marks the first time that Lindenwood has appeared in the National polls and received votes for Men's soccer since the start of the Division I era. LU ranked in the top 10 of the North Region in the United Soccer Coaches Poll all season long in 2025 with their highest ranking being 4th. They held the number four spot for four weeks in a row from September 9-30.
Lindenwood had 133 points offensively in 2025, their most in a single season since 2016 (147). Midfielder Matteo Landais finished the season tied for sixth in the country in total assists with nine. The 133 points ranked 11th best in the country. He also coached seven different players from the 2025 squad that were named to the OVC All-Conference teams. Leandro Haesler, Luca Bartoni, and Matteo Landais were named to the All-OVC First Team, while Gavin Roberts and Ethan Blake were named to the All-OVC Second Team. Haelser and Bartoni were also included on the 2025 All-OVC Newcomer Team along with Alander Soares and Gavin Csiszar. Bartoni and Haesler were named the 2025 Ohio Valley Conference Forward and Defender of the Year. Bartoni scored two goals and led the league in assists with four during conference play, while Haesler ranked first among defenders in the OVC with 10 total points on the season, and anchored a defense that recorded 12 shutouts during the 2025 campaign.
He is currently the Head of Academy Goalkeeper Coach at Saint Louis Scott Gallagher where he is in charge of leading goalkeeper curriculum, training methodology, and individual development plans for youth across all age groups. Nascimento is also serving as the Men's Soccer Goalkeeper and Strength and Conditioning Coach at Fontbonne University in Clayton, Missouri.
From 2019-2021, Paulo was the Goalkeeper Director and the head coach of the U12-U13 team at Hawks FC, a St. Louis Youth Soccer Association team. Nascimento oversaw goalkeeper development pipeline and led full team sessions during his two years with Hawks FC. He has also served as the Director of Coaching with Electrico Futsal in Portugal.
Recognized for his ability to mentor young athletes and elevate their game, Paulo is especially passionate about goalkeeper growth and has trained players from grassroots to collegiate levels, including those who have advanced to competitive youth academies and university programs. He has also been an instrumental player at the world famous one million-dollar, winner take all 7v7 (The Soccer Tournament) TST in Cary, North Carolina. In the inaugural edition of TST, Nascimento helped Newtown Pride FC, the only amateur club in the tournament, beat the likes of such clubs as Borussia Dortmund and Hapoel Tel Aviv FC en route to the final. Newtown captured the one million-dollar prize besting SLC FC 2-0 in the championship match. Nascimento was exceptional defensively giving up only five goals in seven games en route to the championship.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to add a well-respected person like Paulo to our coaching staff. He is one of the friendliest coaches in the game and so enjoyable to be around. His knowledge of the game and professional and playing background will be tremendous for our goalkeepers and staff. We are so fortunate to have Paulo on staff.” said Head Coach Kris Bertsch.
Paulo graduated from Universidade Metropolitana de Santos in Brazil in 2011 with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science and Sports.
