Jafet Soto Molina (born 1 April 1976), 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 (three stints), Monarcas Morelia (twice), 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 17 January 2009 against Brujas where he scored a goal in the 19th minute that made Herediano win the match 1–0. He was substituted 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.Appearances for Costa Rica National Team - RSSSF 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,UNCAF Tournament 1999 - RSSSF 2001 UNCAF Nations CupsQualifying Tournament for Gold Cup 2001 - Details - RSSSF and 2005 UNCAF Nations CupsQualifying Tournament for Gold Cup 2005 - Details - RSSSF as well as at the 2000CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2000 - Full Details - RSSSF and 2005 CONCACAF Gold CupsCONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2005 - Full Details - RSSSF and the 1997 Copa América.Copa América 1997 - RSSSF
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 + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCosta Rica19942019953119963019979119996120001142001612002102003302004102005182Total6310
Scores and results list Costa Rica's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Soto goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Jafet Soto No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1Tampa Stadium, Tampa, United States2–12–1Friendly2Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico2–33–31998 FIFA World Cup qualification3Estadio Nacional, San José, Costa Rica5–07–01999 UNCAF Nations Cup4Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San Juan de Tibás, Costa Rica2–12–1Friendly5San Diego Stadium, San Diego, United States1–02–22000 CONCACAF Gold Cup6Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San Juan de Tibás, Costa Rica 7–17–1Friendly7Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San Juan de Tibás, Costa Rica 1–03–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification8Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, United States5–15–22002 FIFA World Cup qualification 9Qwest Field, Seattle, United States1–01–02005 CONCACAF Gold Cup10Qwest Field, Seattle, United States 2–13–12005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
Honours Individual CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI (Honorable Mention): 2005
References
External links