Thursday, May 28, 2026
Doors: 5:30 PM | Program Starts: 6:00 PM
$10 for Members or $20 Non-Members
Across the Atlantic, Onto the Field: The Story of Portuguese-American Soccer
Thursday, May 28, 2026 | Doors: 5:30 PM | Program Starts: 6:00 PM
WJFD-FM sportscaster John Gonsalves will present an engaging look at soccer’s deep roots in the SouthCoast, exploring how the sport united local communities and helped shape the nation’s passion for the game. This historical retrospective is especially timely as the sport prepares to return to the global spotlight in 2026.
Following the presentation, Gonsalves will moderate a dynamic panel of soccer experts for a lively conversation. Together, they will delve into the game’s evolving role, the significant influence of the Lusophone world, and soccer’s enduring power to unite communities across generations and borders.
We’re pleased to share that this program’s reception will be hosted in partnership with our neighbor, Tia Maria’s European Café. We see this collaboration as a wonderful opportunity to further celebrate and highlight Portuguese culture through a local business that is such an important part of the community fabric in downtown New Bedford.
Program
5:30 PM – Doors Open
6:00 PM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
6:05 PM – Overview on History of Soccer on the Southcoast
6:35 PM – Moderated Panel Discussion
Panelists:
- Lucio Santos
- Carlos Medina
- Yasmina Carvalho
- Ruben Resendes
7:15 PM – Audience Q&A
An open dialogue with panelists and guests.
7:30 – Reception
Light refreshments and continued conversation.
Speaker Biographies
John Gonsalves is a veteran sports broadcaster and journalist best known for his long‑running work at WJFD‑FM 97.3 in New Bedford, Massachusetts—the largest Portuguese‑language radio station in the United States. John has also spent decades as a sportswriter for O Jornal, the Portuguese‑language newspaper serving the region. His time there stretches back to the late 1970s, giving him nearly half a century of sports journalism experience
Carlos Medina, born on the island of São Vicente in Cabo Verde, built a lifelong passion for soccer that began in Portugal, where he played for the junior team of Vitória de Setúbal, one of the country’s professional clubs. After immigrating to New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1975, he became a prominent figure in the Portuguese-American soccer community, playing for several LASA teams including Recordações Club, Portuguese American, Portuguese Sports, East Providence, Taunton Sports, and Stoughton, while also competing for UMass Dartmouth (then SMU). Over a playing and coaching career spanning nearly 20 years, Carlos won multiple LASA championships, helped lead Stoughton from second to first division as player-coach, and represented LASA on numerous all-star teams that competed against professional clubs such as Sporting CP and C.D. Santa Clara, as well as teams from Cabo Verde. Even in retirement, soccer remains central to his life as he continues to follow and support the sport while spending much of his time in Cabo Verde.
Lúcio Santos is a skilled and energetic soccer coach with more than 35 years of experience as both a player and mentor, backed by advanced coaching diplomas and formal training in Sports Psychology. Passionate about inspiring athletes, he is known for fostering long‑term learning, competitive excellence, and respect on and off the field, with a strong ability to work effectively with diverse personalities. As a player, Santos developed his game in the Lusitania of Azores Junior Academy (1976–1979), competed with LASA (Luso American Soccer Association) from 1980–1996, and played professionally with the Rhode Island Stingrays of the USSL during the 1993–1994 season. His extensive coaching career includes serving as Director of Coaching and staff coach at the renowned Resendes Soccer Academy, head coach at Stoughton High School, assistant coach at Stonehill College, head coach of Massasoit College men’s soccer, and leading men’s Division I teams with Taunton Sports and the Taunton Eagles. His contributions to the game have been recognized with NJCAA Coach of the Year honors and induction into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame.
Yasmina Carvalho was named head coach of the BSU women's soccer team in January of 2014. A three-time All-MASCAC selection and two-year captain for Bridgewater State, Carvalho anchored the Bears' defensive backfield for four seasons from 2006 to 2009. She tallied three goals and an assist in 61 career games including 51 starts as she helped the Bears capture the MASCAC regular season title in 2008 and reach the MASCAC Tournament championship game in two of her four seasons.
Ruben Resendes is the Head Coach at Bryant University, and Founder & Director of Resendes Soccer Academy. Resendes is one of the nation’s rising stars in college soccer, having built one of the best winning percentages in the country with a career head coaching record of 142-18-13 across nine seasons. Said winning percentage ranks third among active coaches among all divisions who have spent at least five seasons as a head coach at a four-year school. Resendes owns a 43-10-9 mark in three years at Bryant University and a 125-16-10 record prior to arriving in Smithfield.
Patron Sponsor
Benefactor Sponsor
Friend Sponsor
This event is also supported by:
Department of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies of Brown University with support from FLAD - Luso-American Foundation, of Lisbon.
William M. Wood Foundation
