Men's Soccer
Colon, Gabriel
Gabriel Colon
- Title:
- Director of Student-Athlete Development
- Email:
- Gabriel.Colon@unc.edu
Gabriel Colon joined the North Carolina men’s soccer program as the Director of Student-Athlete Development in December of 2024. In this role, Colon works closely with student-athletes to maximize leadership development and personal growth. Colon came to Chapel Hill after serving as the Youth Development Director at North Carolina Football Club (NCFC) in Raleigh.
While at North Carolina FC, Colon was responsible for technical oversight of the pre-academy program and U-13/14 academy age groups. Additionally, Colon coached two teams within these age groups, becoming the only coach in club history to win two Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) conference championships in one season, as well as leading the 2011 boys team to the 2024 ECNL national semifinals. NCFC finished ranked No. 6 in the ECNL’s national club rankings at the end of the 2023-24 season, its best finish in club history.
Prior to his time at NCFC, Colon served as the club administrator, college pathway coordinator, and head coach at Richmond United. During his two stints in Richmond (2019-20; 2022-23), Colon coached the 2006 and '07 teams in both the United States Soccer Federation’s Development Academy (USSF DA) and the ECNL, as well as the U-23 pre-professional team.
The pinnacle of his tenure at Richmond United came in 2023, when Colon led the 2006 boys team to the U-17 ECNL National Championship, becoming the only team in Virginia soccer history to win the title. Under Colon’s guidance, several Richmond United players earned National Player of the Year, All-American, All-Conference, and Youth National Team call-ups that year. Richmond United finished ranked No. 8 in the ECNL’s national club rankings at the end of the 2022-23 season, its best finish in club history.
In addition to his time in Richmond, Colon served as the head of performance analysis and head coach at Sol Sports Club (formally Florida Rush Soccer Club) in Orlando, Florida. During his two stints at Sol (2015-19; 2020-22), Colon coached the 2006 and 2008 age groups in both the USSF DA and Major League Soccer (MLS) Next.
Colon’s time at Sol saw him play a pivotal role in the growth of the club’s elite youth development platform, as the academy program expanded from the U-12 age group in 2016, to the U-13 & U-14 age groups in 2017, before being awarded a full academy program (U-13 to U-19) by MLS in 2020.
Colon started his coaching career as a youth development coach for the New York Red Bulls in 2014, and has earned coaching awards from the Argentine Football Association (AFA), USSF, and United Soccer Coaches (USC). In 2018, Colon was selected to the USC '30 Under 30’ program.
In addition to his work at Carolina, Colon is a club director and head coach within the MLS Next program at Wake Futbol Club in Wake County.
While at North Carolina FC, Colon was responsible for technical oversight of the pre-academy program and U-13/14 academy age groups. Additionally, Colon coached two teams within these age groups, becoming the only coach in club history to win two Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) conference championships in one season, as well as leading the 2011 boys team to the 2024 ECNL national semifinals. NCFC finished ranked No. 6 in the ECNL’s national club rankings at the end of the 2023-24 season, its best finish in club history.
Prior to his time at NCFC, Colon served as the club administrator, college pathway coordinator, and head coach at Richmond United. During his two stints in Richmond (2019-20; 2022-23), Colon coached the 2006 and '07 teams in both the United States Soccer Federation’s Development Academy (USSF DA) and the ECNL, as well as the U-23 pre-professional team.
The pinnacle of his tenure at Richmond United came in 2023, when Colon led the 2006 boys team to the U-17 ECNL National Championship, becoming the only team in Virginia soccer history to win the title. Under Colon’s guidance, several Richmond United players earned National Player of the Year, All-American, All-Conference, and Youth National Team call-ups that year. Richmond United finished ranked No. 8 in the ECNL’s national club rankings at the end of the 2022-23 season, its best finish in club history.
In addition to his time in Richmond, Colon served as the head of performance analysis and head coach at Sol Sports Club (formally Florida Rush Soccer Club) in Orlando, Florida. During his two stints at Sol (2015-19; 2020-22), Colon coached the 2006 and 2008 age groups in both the USSF DA and Major League Soccer (MLS) Next.
Colon’s time at Sol saw him play a pivotal role in the growth of the club’s elite youth development platform, as the academy program expanded from the U-12 age group in 2016, to the U-13 & U-14 age groups in 2017, before being awarded a full academy program (U-13 to U-19) by MLS in 2020.
Colon started his coaching career as a youth development coach for the New York Red Bulls in 2014, and has earned coaching awards from the Argentine Football Association (AFA), USSF, and United Soccer Coaches (USC). In 2018, Colon was selected to the USC '30 Under 30’ program.
In addition to his work at Carolina, Colon is a club director and head coach within the MLS Next program at Wake Futbol Club in Wake County.
MBB: Kyan Evans Intro Press Conference
Wednesday, September 10
UNC Volleyball: Carolina Sweeps #11 Florida
Wednesday, September 10
Bill Belichick Coach's Corner - Episode 3 - September 9, 2025
Tuesday, September 09
FB: Players Pre-Richmond Press Conference, 9/9/25
Tuesday, September 09
