Jafet Soto


Jafet Soto Molina, is a Costa Rican football coach, general manager and retired player who played for Club Sport Herediano.

Club career

In Costa Rica, Soto has only played for Herediano, where he is considered an idol by local fans. He left the club for a 10-year spell in the Mexican premier league, and played for teams such as Puebla, Monarcas Morelia, Atlas, Pachuca and Tecos UAG.
In summer 2006, Soto joined Major League Soccer outfit Real Salt Lake and after several months in Salt Lake, Soto went back to his country Costa Rica, where he returned at Herediano as captain of this team. He announced his retirement in November 2008 and he played his final game was played on January 17, 2009 against Brujas where he scored a goal in the 19th minute that made Herediano win the match 1-0. He was substituted himself after scoring the goal.

International career

Soto played in the U-20 Football World Youth Championship held in Qatar in 1995.
He made his senior debut for Costa Rica in a January 1994 friendly match against Norway and earned a total of 63 caps, scoring 10 goals. He represented his country in 21 FIFA World Cup qualification matches but injuries and bad luck came his way and denied him of playing in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He played at the 1999, 2001 UNCAF Nations Cups and 2005 UNCAF Nations Cups as well as at the 2000 and 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cups and the 1997 Copa América.
His final international was an October 2005 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Guatemala.

Managerial career

In September 2011, Soto became Herediano's administrative manager. In May 2012 he took charge at Pérez Zeledón, only to leave them in August that year to take over at the Costa Rica U20s. In 2013, he became sports director of Herediano.
In August 2014, Soto returned at the helm at Herediano.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1Tampa Stadium, Tampa, United States2–12–1Friendly
2Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico2–33–31998 FIFA World Cup qualification
3Estadio Nacional, San José, Costa Rica5–07–01999 UNCAF Nations Cup
4Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San Juan de Tibás, Costa Rica2–12–1Friendly
5San Diego Stadium, San Diego, United States1–02–22000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
6Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San Juan de Tibás, Costa Rica7–17–1Friendly
7Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San Juan de Tibás, Costa Rica1–03–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
8Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, United States5–15–22002 FIFA World Cup qualification
9Qwest Field, Seattle, United States1–01–02005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
10Qwest Field, Seattle, United States2–13–12005 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honours

Individual

  • CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI : 2005