Playing Experience

Jukka Masalin was born in Lahti, Finland.  Prior to coming to the U.S. in 1995,Masalin was active in the Finnish soccer community. He was a staff coach for the Finland Youth National teams for 5 years.

Between 1987 and 1993, he gained international experience as a goalkeeper for the U-16, U-18 and U-21 Finnish national teams.

Masalin’s attended Lander University in Greenwood, S.C., where he was a two-time All-Peach Belt Conference honoree.  After college, Masalin remained at Lander as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s soccer programs and earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the school in 2002.

Masalin played professionally in Germany, Sweden, Finland and the United States before making a successful transition to coaching.

Coaching Experience

Masalin is currently the Syracuse University Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach. Massalin also coaches for the US Developmental Academy which he as done since 2008.  Masalin has over 25 years experience in youth soccer (rec to academy).

He served as the head assistant coach for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the United Soccer League’s (USL) First Division from 2004-07. During his time with Atlanta, Masalin was also an assistant coach for the Reinhardt College men’s soccer team. In addition, he served as the soccer director for the Decatur-DeKalb YMCA and was co-director of the Silverbacks’ youth soccer program.

Following his time in Atlanta, Masalin worked as the top assistant coach for the USL First Division’s Rochester Rhinos. Masalin helped build the professional youth academy infrastructure in Rochester.

He served as the head coach of the Maine Sting in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) during the spring of 2009.

Masalin earned a UEFA ‘B’ coaching license in 2005 and his UEFA ‘A’ license in 2007.  He also holds a UEFA Fitness Diploma from the German Football Federation.