Mario Prata, has been a member of the U.S. Boys' Under-14 coaching staff since 2004, helping identify the nation's premier youth players. He also has extensive experience with the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program and Region 1 teams.  He was a full-time development coach at Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association for 8 yeas. Mario was also an assistant coach at Worcester State College in 1998 and 1999. A native of Portugal, Prata played on his country's Under-17 and Under-19 teams, and was a member of its Under-21 Olympic team. He played five seasons with Portuguese power Benfica SL, helping the club advance to the final of the 1983 UEFA Cup. He also played for seven seasons with SC Freamunde, GD Samora Correia and SC Almancilense. Prata holds his U.S. Soccer Federation "A" and National Youth Licenses, as well as an NSCAA National License. He also has earned England's Football Association Youth License and has completed the Dutch Youth Course.