Cristiano Costa joined the Chicago State women’s soccer staff on June 1, 2017 as an assistant coach, became the interim head coach during that initial season and was named head coach on January 1, 2018.

Costa joined the Cougars after serving as the Director of Goalkeeping at the Chicago Soccer Academy and the goalkeeping coach for the Crystal Lake (Illinois) Soccer Federation following a stint as an assistant coach for Fluminense Football Club that competed in the Supergroup U19 at the Dallas Cup in 2016.

He also served as the goalkeeping coach at Judson University, an NAIA school in Elgin, Illinois, for three seasons from 2013-16, and spent the summer of 2016 as the goalkeeper coach for the Kokomo (Indiana) Mantis of the Premier Developmental League.

Costa earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in accounting from Judson in 2011 after playing two seasons for the Eagles (2008-10). He also had a 13-year playing career which included professional stops in Brazil, Germany and Canada after beginning his career playing for Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama. He spent nine years with this team training and playing as a goalie, before transitioning to ABC and Botafogo PB where he played two more years professionally.

Costa currently holds a USSF C Coaching License while also holding his EXOS Formerly Athletes' Performance - Phase 1 License and GK Position Specific Coaching Clinic.