Submitted by FC Olympia
The FC Olympia “Artesians” unveiled on social media Thursday the signing of local soccer legend Manny Nicasio to their USL Men’s team under new head coach Seyti Sidibay. The news comes after Nicasio left the Artesian USL team coached by Jason Dunn in 2024 to play for regional rival the Tacoma Stars. Nicasio was drafted by the Tacoma Stars organization in 2023 for the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) which is a professional arena soccer system and separate from the United Soccer League (USL).
“I’m excited to be back because of the community and the Artesian organization” said Manny Nicasio. “This community has shown me so much support and love and I think about all the kid’s yelling my name at games and all the local FC Olympia supporters out there supporting the team- it’s driven me to continue to keep playing.”
Manny Nicasio is a graduate of Shelton High School in Mason County and went on to have a decorated college soccer career having earned an NWAC Region MVP accolade in 2021 playing for TCC in Tacoma, WA. Nicasio then played two seasons for Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA where he captained the team for Geoduck Head Coach Steve Schmidt. He picked up multiple All-CCC honors and was nominated 2024 Collegiate Player of the Year by the Thurston County Sports Awards Commission.
Nicasio is no stranger to the Artesian clubhouse having played 5 years of indoor soccer and set multiple USL-outdoor records for FC Olympia. Nicasio holds club wide USL records for most match appearances spanning 2022, 2023 and 2024 accruing 1,567 minutes over 26 matches. Nicasio also holds the most career arena goals record (34) which have held games at the Evergreen State Pavilion.
Support for Manny Nicasio by the organization is a family affair as 2022 USL2 Head Coach Jay Smith was also Nicasio’s high school head coach (Shelton High School). Jay Smith has been a part of the Artesians since 2021 when he joined leadership to usher in the USL-era of Olympia, WA soccer.
“I started coaching Manny when he was 13 years old” said Jay Smith, current Artesian part owner. “I’m happy to see him back where he belongs. In an Artesian jersey.”
“Jay has been a great role model in my life” said Nicasio. “He has continuously pushed me to keep playing and encouraged me to be the best I can be on and off the field.”
Nicasio has been a fan favorite having had multiple years where replica jerseys showcased “Manny” on the back for fans around Thurston County. Stories are far and wide on how much the community embraces Manny’s impact on local soccer including Kurt Gress’s local Wembley Soccer Shop off Pacific Avenue.
“I was in the soccer shop talking to staff and found out there were kid’s and adults surrounding Manny at Wembley’s one day and a super fan even offered to buy him a new pair of cleats and get an autograph for his kid’s” said Principal Artesian Owner Ryan Perkins. “It’s fun to see people rally around a positive leader on and off the field in someone as genuine as Manny. Its fun to think about kids being able to get the captain of a USL teams autograph while running into him at the local soccer shop.”
FC Olympia is a local path to pro soccer club offering collegiate, high school and elite level youth the opportunity to play in a nationwide soccer franchise through USL. The USL League Two is the men’s soccer program and the women compete in the USL W League. The club has had World Cup athletes, pro soccer players and Olympic athletes from around the world play in Thurston County in Artesian jerseys.
The clubs nickname and mascot “The Artesians” (are-TEE-shuns) pays homage to the Olympia, WA beer industry and the original Olympia Brewing Company’s impact on early downtown Olympia culture and commerce. Olympia, WA has over 100 Artesian Water Wells and that water is made into local beer, coffee and filled by many who travel from all over the Pacific Northwest to get the special Artesian water.
The FC Olympia “Artesians” also offer youth soccer programming through focused USL youth soccer clinics, camps and free ticketing to all USL matches. Many local soccer clubs like Thurston County United, Blackhills FC, Washington Premier have had players graduate into the Artesian soccer programming as seniors in high school, collegiate athletes and post-college adult semi-pro soccer programs.
“I joined the Artesians right after I graduated high school and back then USL wasn’t around and we played EPLWA(Evergreen Premier League) and it has been awesome to see how year after year the clubs ownership strives to make more opportunities for the soccer community” said Many Nicasio. “Players come and go but it’s different when you’ve been here as long as I have and witnessed all the amazing things the club has done for local soccer.”
Season tickets to see Manny play this summer are on-sale at the FC Olympia website and the schedule is set to be released by the first day of Spring. The Artesians recommend following the club on Instagram (@gofcoly) and Facebook for live coverage including player signings, special community events and USL soccer match updates.
