Jukka Masalin Named Assistant Coach

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse head men's soccer coach Ian McIntyre announced today that Jukka Masalin has joined the Orange staff as an assistant coach. Masalin was McIntyre's top aide at Hartwick the last two seasons before following him to Syracuse.

A veteran of the professional coaching and playing ranks, Masalin will assist McIntyre in all facets of the program, including recruiting, player training and development, game preparation and opponent scouting.

“Jukka is an outstanding addition to our program,” McIntyre said. “He has already established himself as one of the premier college trainers in the United States. His professionalism, knowledge and passion will allow him to make an immediate impact here at Syracuse.”

Masalin played professionally in Germany, Sweden, Finland and the United States before making a successful transition to coaching. He served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the United Soccer League's (USL) First Division from 2004-07. During his stint 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 a co-director for the Silverbacks' youth soccer program.

Following his stint in Atlanta, Masalin worked as an assistant coach for the USL First Division's Rochester Rhinos where he was in charge of goalie training, team fitness, and speed training. Masalin scouted, recruited, and negotiated with players from all over the world and started the professional youth academy infrastructure in Rochester.

In 2008, Maslin joined McIntyre's staff at Hartwick and helped lead the Hawks to a pair of MAC Tournament appearances and a 10-4-4 overall record in 2009.

Masalin also has head coaching experience. In the spring of 2009, he served as the head coach of the Maine Sting in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

Prior to coming to the U.S. in 1995, Masalin was active in the Finnish soccer community. Between 1987 and 1993, he gained international experience as a goalkeeper for the U-16, U-18 and U-21 Finnish national teams. Once arriving stateside, Masalin embarked on a collegiate playing career at Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. where he was a two-time All-Peach Belt Conference honoree. With Masalin on the roster, the Bearcats recorded a 60-19-3 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Division II Championship in 1996. He still ranks third all-time at Lander with 302 career saves.

Following his collegiate career, 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 holds a pair of UEFA coaching licenses. He earned his UEFA “B” license in 2005 and his “A” license in 2007.

Syracuse University Athletics

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