Mauro Eustáquio

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Mauro Eustáquio

| image = Mauro Eustáquio (cropped).jpg

| caption = Eustáquio in 2024

| fullname = Mauro Antunes Eustáquio{{WorldFootball.net|mauro-eustaquio}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|2|10|df=yes}}{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/jogador/m-eustaquio/281454|title=M. Eustaquio|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|access-date=26 January 2021}}

| birth_place = Nazaré, Portugal

| height = 1.83 m

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = York United (head coach)

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Leamington MS

| youthyears2 = 2004–2010 | youthclubs2 = Nazarenos

| youthyears3 = 2010–2012 | youthclubs3 = União Leiria

| years1 = 2012–2013 | clubs1 = Sporting Pombal | caps1 = 23 | goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2013–2014 | clubs2 = Nazarenos | caps2 = 13 | goals2 = 3

| years3 = 2014–2016 | clubs3 = Ottawa Fury | caps3 = 45 | goals3 = 2

| years4 = 2015 | clubs4 = → Ottawa Fury Academy (loan) | caps4 = 1 | goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2017 | clubs5 = FC Edmonton | caps5 = 18 | goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2018 | clubs6 = Penn FC | caps6 = 6 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2019 | clubs7 = Cavalry FC | caps7 = 10 | goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2020–2021 | clubs8 = Caldas | caps8 = 13 | goals8 = 1

| totalcaps = 129 | totalgoals = 7

| nationalyears1 = 2012–2013 | nationalteam1 = Canada U20 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 = 2015 | nationalteam2 = Canada U23 | nationalcaps2 = 4 | nationalgoals2 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2022–2024 | managerclubs1 = York United (assistant)

| manageryears2 = 2024 | managerclubs2 = York United (interim)

| manageryears3 = 2025– | managerclubs3 = York United

| club-update =

| nationalteam-update =

}}

Mauro Antunes Eustáquio (born 10 February 1993) is a Canadian soccer coach and former professional player who played as a midfielder. He is the head coach of Canadian Premier League club York United.

Born in Portugal, he represented Canada at youth level.

Early life

Eustáquio was born in Nazaré, Leiria District, and moved to Leamington, Ontario when he was 13 months old.{{cite web|url=http://futeboldistritaldeleiria.pt/2015/02/mauro-eustaquio-o-nazareno-que-sonha-com-selecao-canada/|title=Mauro Eustáquio, o nazareno que sonha com a seleção do Canadá|trans-title=Mauro Eustáquio, the Nazaré boy who dreams of Canada national team|publisher=Futebol Distrital de Leiria|first=Miguel|last=Mendes|language=pt|date=21 February 2015|access-date=23 November 2017}} He began playing youth soccer with Leamington Minor Soccer.{{cite web|url=https://yorkunitedfc.canpl.ca/article/mauro-eustaquio-named-as-new-head-coach-of-york-united-fc|title=Mauro Eustáquio named as new head coach of York United FC|publisher=York United FC|date=21 November 2024|access-date=21 November 2024}} He returned to Portugal at the age of 11, and spent time in the youth academies of Grupo Desportivo Os Nazarenos and U.D. Leiria.{{cite news|url=http://ottawasun.com/2014/08/08/portugal-influence-evident-for-eustaquio/wcm/5aa75d4a-3be6-4a97-939e-3e57bcbe8c72|title=Portugal influence evident for Eustaquio|newspaper=Ottawa Sun|first=Chris|last=Hofley|date=8 August 2014|access-date=23 November 2017}}

Eustáquio started his senior career in 2012, with fourth division club Sporting Clube de Pombal.

Playing career

=Ottawa Fury=

On 20 December 2013, Eustáquio signed with North American Soccer League club Ottawa Fury FC.{{cite news|url=http://ottawasun.com/2013/12/20/fury-sign-canadian-midfielder/wcm/563f8cd2-7f91-47ae-9c1e-e17f4e4b8289|title=Fury sign Canadian midfielder|newspaper=Ottawa Sun|first=Tim|last=Baines|date=20 December 2013|access-date=23 November 2017}} He made his debut on 2 August 2014 as a replacement starter for injured captain Richie Ryan in a 2–1 away loss against Minnesota United FC,{{cite news|url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/08/06/ottawa-fury-coach-dos-santos-still-looking-for-right-formula?token=5bbeb2fce2799966a4e4bcf9b06db6c9|title=Ottawa Fury coach Dos Santos still looking for right formula|newspaper=Ottawa Sun|first=Chris|last=Hofley|date=6 August 2014|access-date=5 January 2016}} and finished the season with eight appearances.

Eustáquio featured significantly the following campaign, playing 23 times across all competitions including twice in the team's run in the Soccer Bowl. He scored his first goal for them on 8 August 2015 in a 4–1 win over the Indy Eleven on 8 August 2015, earning a place on the league's Team of the Week;{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2015/08/12/team-of-the-week--fall-season-week-6|title=Team of the Week {{!}} Fall season week 6|publisher=North American Soccer League|date=12 August 2015|access-date=23 November 2017}} he added a second on 18 October, helping the hosts defeat the San Antonio Scorpions 1–0,{{cite news|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/local-sports/ottawa-fury-win-to-all-but-nail-down-an-nasl-fall-season-title|title=Ottawa Fury win to all but nail down an NASL fall season title|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|first=Dave|last=Gross|date=18 October 2015|access-date=23 November 2017}} and later in the year he agreed to a contract extension.{{cite news|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/local-sports/fury-re-sign-de-guzman-and-eustaquio|title=Fury re-sign de Guzman and Eustaquio|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=16 December 2015|access-date=23 November 2017}}

Eustáquio nearly went on loan to FC Edmonton during the 2016 season in exchange for Mallan Roberts, however the move fell through.{{cite web|url=https://the11.ca/eustaquio-khattab-will-be-on-fc-edmontons-voyage-to-manchester/|title=Better late than never: After move to Edmonton was aborted in 2016, Eustaquio joins the Eddies for 2017|publisher=The 11|first=Steven|last=Sandor|date=14 February 2017|access-date=15 February 2017}} In December, the Fury announced that the former would not return to the club as it was due to move to the United Soccer League.{{cite web|url=http://www.ottawafuryfc.com/news_article/show/733796?referrer_id=2824815|title=Fury FC would like to thank non-returning players|publisher=Ottawa Fury|date=13 December 2016|access-date=15 December 2016}}

=FC Edmonton=

On 14 February 2017, Eustáquio joined FC Edmonton.{{cite web|url=http://www.fcedmonton.com/news/2017/02/14/fc-edmonton-ink-midfielders-khattab-eustaquio-in-latest-round-of-signings|title=FC Edmonton adds midfielders Khattab, Eustaquio in latest round of signings|publisher=FC Edmonton|date=14 February 2017|access-date=15 February 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628110659/http://www.fcedmonton.com/news/2017/02/14/fc-edmonton-ink-midfielders-khattab-eustaquio-in-latest-round-of-signings|archive-date=28 June 2017}} On 24 November, after the club ceased operations, he left.{{cite web|url=http://www.fcedmonton.com/news/2017/11/24/club-statement--fc-edmonton-withdraws-from-north-american-soccer-league|title=Club statement {{!}} FC Edmonton withdraws from North American Soccer League|publisher=FC Edmonton|date=24 November 2017|access-date=25 November 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126233048/http://www.fcedmonton.com/news/2017/11/24/club-statement--fc-edmonton-withdraws-from-north-american-soccer-league|archive-date=26 November 2017}}

=Penn FC=

In February 2018, Eustáquio signed with Penn FC of the USL.{{cite web|url=http://www.pennfc.com/news_article/show/890251?referrer_id=3777667|title=Penn FC signs Pedro Galvao and Mauro Eustaquio|publisher=Penn FC|first=Nathan|last=Heintschel|date=23 February 2018|access-date=24 February 2018}} In June, he suffered a knee injury that would sideline him for the rest of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.brotherlygame.com/2018/7/6/17538676/match-preview-penn-fc-vs-bethlehem-steel-fc|title=Match Preview: Penn FC vs Bethlehem Steel FC|publisher=Brotherly Game|first1=Chris|last1=Bratton|first2=Evan|last2=Villella|date=6 July 2018|access-date=18 July 2018}}

=Cavalry FC=

On 20 March 2019, Eustáquio moved to the Canadian Premier League after agreeing to a contract at Cavalry FC.{{cite web|url=https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/article/cavalry-fc-signs-mauro-eustaquio-can|title=Cavalry FC signs Mauro Eustáquio (CAN)|publisher=Cavalry FC|date=20 March 2019|access-date=20 March 2019}} He played ten league matches for the side in the inaugural campaign of the competition.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/mauro-eustaquio-signs-with-portugese-club-officially-departs-cavalry|title=Mauro Eustáquio signs with Portuguese club, officially departs Cavalry|publisher=Canadian Premier League|date=23 July 2020|access-date=25 July 2020}}

=Caldas=

Eustáquio joined Caldas S.C. of the Portuguese third tier on 21 July 2020.{{cite web|url=https://regiaodecister.pt/noticias/futebol-nazareno-mauro-eustaquio-e-reforco-do-caldas|title=Futebol: Nazareno Mauro Eustáquio é reforço do Caldas|trans-title=Football: Nazaré-born Mauro Eustáquio is a Caldas addition|publisher=Região de Cister|first=Rafael|last=Raimundo|language=pt|date=21 July 2020|access-date=21 July 2020}} He announced his retirement on 7 April 2021 at the age of 28.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/EustaquioMauro/status/1379645773416001536|title=Forever a student of the game|publisher=Twitter|date=7 April 2021|access-date=7 April 2021}}

Coaching career

Immediately after his retirement, Eustáquio joined the staff of Calgary Foothills FC as development phase boys manager.{{cite news|url=https://northerntribune.ca/calgary-foothills-mauro-eustaquio/|title=Calgary Foothills add Mauro Eustaquio in coaching role|newspaper=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques|date=8 April 2021|access-date=12 April 2021}} In February 2022, he was named assistant at Canadian top-flight club York United FC.{{cite news|url=https://northerntribune.ca/york-united-coach-staff-2022/|title=York United reveals coaching roster for 2022|newspaper=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques|date=23 February 2022|access-date=23 February 2022}}

Eustáquio was named interim head coach of York United on 21 May 2024, following the firing of Martin Nash.{{cite web|url=https://yorkunitedfc.canpl.ca/article/official-club-communication-on-martin-nash|title=Official club statement on Martin Nash|publisher=York United FC|date=21 May 2024|access-date=21 May 2024}} In September, he was invited to join the Canada national team as an assistant for a pair of friendlies.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/mauro-eustaquio-joins-jesse-marschs-canmnt-coaching-staff-for-upcoming-friendlies|title=Mauro Eustáquio joins Jesse Marsch's CANMNT coaching staff for upcoming friendlies|publisher=Canadian Premier League|date=2 September 2024|access-date=3 September 2024}}

In November 2024, York United announced Eustáquio as their new head coach for the 2025 season, becoming the youngest ever at the helm of a first division side in North America as well as the first former player in the league to earn such a position.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/mauro-eustaquio-named-york-united-fc-head-coach-first-former-cpl-player-to-earn-top-coaching-job|title=Mauro Eustáquio named York United FC head coach; first former CPL player to earn top coaching job|publisher=Canadian Premier League|first=Charlie|last=O'Connor-Clarke|date=21 November 2024|access-date=25 November 2024}}

Personal life

Eustáquio's younger brother, Stephen, is also a soccer player. A midfielder as well, he represented Portugal at under-21 level{{cite web|url=http://stonymondayriot.com/smr-interview-series-mauro-eustaquio-midfielder/|title=SMR Interview Series: Mauro Eustaquio, midfielder|publisher=Stony Monday Riot|date=26 October 2015|access-date=23 November 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804013916/http://stonymondayriot.com/smr-interview-series-mauro-eustaquio-midfielder/|archive-date=4 August 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://apt613.ca/know-fury-mauro-eustaquio-road-ottawa/|title=Know Your Fury: Mauro Eustáquio and his road to Ottawa|publisher=Apartment 613|first=Josh|last=Lemoine|date=2 September 2016|access-date=23 November 2017}} and the Canadian senior team.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/former-portugal-midfielder-stephen-eustaquio-commits-play-canada/|title=Former Portugal midfielder Stephen Eustaquio commits to play for Canada|publisher=Sportsnet|first=Thanassis|last=Stavrakis|date=22 February 2019|access-date=10 April 2019}}

Their mother, Esmeralda, died from brain cancer in April 2023, while their father Armando died of a heart attack one year later.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5622440/2024/07/08/canada-stephen-eustaquio-copa-america/|title=Canada's Stephen Eustaquio finds purpose in Copa America after losing his parents: 'What am I here for?'|newspaper=The New York Times|first=Joshua|last=Kloke|date=8 July 2024|access-date=10 July 2024}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|League !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="2"\|League !colspan="2"\|Playoffs !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="4"\|Ottawa Fury \|rowspan="3"\|NASL \|2014 \|8	0	0	0	—	—	8	0
2015 \|20	2	2	0	1	0	23	2
2016 \|17	0	0	0	1	0	18	0
colspan="2"\|Total !45!!2!!2!!0!!2!!0!!49!!2
Ottawa Fury Academy \|PLSQ \|2015 \|1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	1	0
FC Edmonton \|NASL \|2017 \|18	1	0	0	0	0	18	1
Penn FC \|USL \|2018 \|7	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Cavalry FC \|Canadian Premier League \|2019 \|10	0	0	0	5	0	15	0
Caldas \|Campeonato de Portugal \|2020–21 \|13	1	0	0	1	0	14	1
colspan="3"\|Career total !94	4	2	0	8	0	104	4

Honours

Ottawa Fury

North American Soccer League: 2015 Fall Championship{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2016/03/31/2016-outlook--ottawa-fury-fc-|title=2016 Outlook {{!}} Ottawa Fury FC|publisher=North American Soccer League|date=31 March 2016|access-date=8 October 2020}}