Karsten Smith

Karsten Smith is a former professional soccer player who possesses a special gift when it comes to coaching future generations. He was a student-athlete from 2006-2010, graduating with a B.S. in business administration with a specialization in international marketing. Smith most recently spent time coaching for New York City FC youth programs.

After a successful youth playing career growing up in Long Island, by his senior year in 2005, he had recruiters from UConn, West Virginia, Princeton, Wake Forest, University of Albany, Hofstra, Stony Brook University, and American University reaching out to him to play college soccer. Not knowing much about this process, he now ensures his players today are up to speed with it. Karsten committed to American University, which offered him a full scholarship, and officially enrolled as a student-athlete for the men’s soccer team at American University, a Division 1 NCAA program.

Post-college, Karsten was eager to take his game to the professional level and fulfill his childhood dream. Following stints in both France and Vietnam, he signed his first professional contract with FC New York of the USL (the second tier of professional soccer in the USA). Karsten went on to play professional soccer from 2011 to 2018, which included playing for U.S. clubs: FC New York, San Antonio Scorpions, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Pittsburgh Riverhounds; European clubs: VPS Vaasa (Finland), KA Akureyri (Iceland); and Canadian club: FC Edmonton.

Coach Karsten will be the head coach for our U18/19 Boys.

Contact: Karstens.jaelitefc@gmail.com