Tab Ramos

Role

Founder of NJSA 04 (New Jersey Soccer Academy 04), which merged into Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth. Former U.S. Men’s U-20 National Team Head Coach (2011–2019). Currently Manager of the Houston Dynamo (MLS).

Background

Born in Uruguay and raised in New Jersey, Ramos was a midfielder for the USMNT across three World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998) and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005. He founded NJSA 04 in 2004, building it into one of the state’s top youth clubs before its merger with Cedar Stars. As U-20 coach he led four consecutive FIFA U-20 World Cups (2013–2019) and mentored Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams among others.

Connections

• Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth — founding predecessor club (NJSA 04)
• new-jersey — home market

Context

Ramos bridges elite player development and club building in the NJ market. NJSA 04’s trajectory — founder-led grassroots club absorbed into a larger regional platform — is a common pattern in the Tri-State youth soccer landscape.